Local hospital policies

Most of the placentas I've processed so far have been from home or birth center births, however I've had a few hospital births and I've learned that every hospital policy is different. I recommend that before you birth you not only discuss obtaining your placenta with your care provider, but with your birthing facility as well. Your OB may say obtaining your placenta is no problem, however the hospital (ahem, Fauquier, I'm looking at you) may have a set of stipulations that can alter encapsulation plans. INOVA Loudoun won't object to a support person walking your placenta out to me for pick up, however Fauquier requires (currently - when faced with enough objection I'm sure that policy could be changed) that your placenta leave the hospital with you at discharge. They will refrigerate it for you during your stay. Remember that it's most helpful to start taking your capsules beginning at four to five days postpartum when you hit a hormone dip; keep that in mind when engaging your care providers. If you run into a problem it's better to deal with it before you have a beautiful baby in your arms! If you have questions or concerns about a specific hospital policy let me know and we can brainstorm a solution together. I will add/update hospital policies here.

Peaceful birthing to you :)

Here's my flyer!

The text of it, anyway ;) If there's any other information you'd like to see included, or any other critiques please share them.
-N
 

Placenta Encapsulation:

Lessen baby blues, increase milk production, reduce postnatal bleeding, and ease hormonal transition with placenta medicine.

Your placenta is your own perfect prescription for bringing balance to your postpartum period. Your placenta has restorative properties and high levels of vital nutrients including iron, protein, vitamin B6, and the hormones it excreted during pregnancy. Just as it supported and nourished your baby, your placenta, when carefully prepared for consumption, can nourish the postpartum mother. Placenta consumption supports lactation and assists in the involution of the uterus. It facilitates an easier postpartum recovery by increasing maternal energy and easing the dramatic hormonal transitions of the postpartum period. Consumption of the placenta has been common practice for thousands of years, and as our own culture reconnects to a more natural way of birthing and living, placenta medicine is becoming a more widely recognized resource.

The high hormone levels of pregnancy drop significantly in the early postpartum days. It is thought that this fluctuation contributes to the “baby blues” many women experience.  By reintroducing the hormones back into their system via placenta consumption, many women find that they do not experience these symptoms. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), placenta is used to fight fatigue, which can be a factor in the development of postpartum depression. Since iron deficiency is linked to postpartum depression, replenishing your system with iron-rich placenta can help alleviate major symptoms of PPD.

I currently offer two methods of encapsulation, both the Traditional Chinese Medicine method that renders a tonic of sorts, and the fresh preparation, or raw, method. The raw method provides a higher hormone load per capsule, since the placenta is not steamed. I’ve also found that I’m able to get more capsules out of a raw preparation by about 25%.

I encapsulate in my home; please enquire for rates (nerdossy@gmail.com). I can also encapsulate in your home for $250, if you’d prefer. All you need to provide me with is clear counter space in your kitchen – I’ll bring everything else I need to clean and process your placenta.

TCM Preparation:

TCM teaches that the placenta helps restore balance to a mother’s system after birth. The placenta is gently steamed with herbs, sliced thin and dehydrated. It is then ground into a powder and put into capsules. Heating the placenta is essential for TCM encapsulation and makes placenta a ‘warming’ remedy – one that tonifies, nourishes the blood, and restores energy.

Dosage guidelines:

Up to two capsules, three times a day for the first two weeks, then reduce dosage following your own cues until you are taking one pill a day, as needed.  Some TCM practitioners suggest taking the pills with a little white wine, saying that it helps spread the placenta energy. Any extra pills can be frozen for use at the return of your cycle, or during menopause. It’s been my experience that this method does not produce enough pills to save for future needs, however if it is your preference I will encapsulate this way for you.

Raw Preparation:

Some women prefer to skip the steaming process and have their placenta encapsulated raw. Enzymes are lost when food is cooked and the hormone content is reduced. For this method the placenta is gently cleaned and sliced. Then it is dehydrated at low heat, ground, and put into capsules. Women have called these capsules “happy pills” and report phenomenal energy levels while taking them.

Dosage guidelines:

One to two capsules in the morning as needed followed by another capsule midday if desired. I caution against taking these too late in the afternoon as the energy surge may make it difficult to fall asleep.

Some additional notes:

All of my capsules are vegetarian, and gluten and preservative free. You can expect around 90 capsules with the TCM method, give or take depending on the size of your placenta. The raw method will produce around 150 capsules. The first two weeks are the most important time to use your capsules, and they are extremely beneficial in the first four to five days postpartum. After two weeks you can continue to take them at whatever dosage feels right for you. Your capsules will keep in the refrigerator for a year. Some women choose to save some capsules for future use. If you do this, store your unused capsules in the freezer. Be sure to keep your capsules dry. Because of its tonifying nature, placenta pills should not be taken if you are fighting off a cold or flu. Likewise you should discontinue use if you develop mastitis until the infection has cleared.

The Process:

Encapsulation should begin within 48 hours of your birth. The placenta is generally viable for seven days if it is refrigerated the entire time, however the capsules decrease in potency the longer the process is delayed. If it is not possible to begin the process in the first 72 hours, the placenta should be frozen within the first 24 hours. The placenta must be thawed for 24 hours in the refrigerator for TCM encapsulation. Raw capsules do not require a complete thaw. Call me whenever you are ready for placenta pick up and have your care provider double bag your placenta in gallon sized zip up bags. If you birth with a midwife in an out-of-hospital setting I can usually arrange to pick up your placenta from your midwife and have it back to her before your postpartum follow up.

My limitations:

The only times I absolutely cannot encapsulate for you are if you test positive for HIV or Hepatitis. Encapsulating with GBS positive status is fine; we can discuss what to do if there's a confirmed infection during labor. If your placenta has been handled by hospital pathology I cannot encapsulate it for you. If your placenta has been treated with alcohol, formalin, or any other preservative it will not be suitable for encapsulation. If something unexpected occurs during your birth we can discuss the implications and suitability of encapsulation. I am not a licensed medical professional and thus am not able to diagnose, treat, or prescribe for any health condition. Services and fees are for placenta preparation and encapsulation. Benefits will vary from person to person and specific benefits are not promised. Some of the ascribed benefits of placenta consumption are supported by research, but have not been verified by the FDA or any other such governing body. It is up to you to determine whether placenta consumption may be beneficial to you. Speak to your care provider regarding any questions about your health, safety, or wellbeing. Placenta services are not a replacement for medical advice or prescription medicines. If you are experiencing symptoms of postpartum depression, low milk supply, or other medical concerns please speak to your care provider.

*The information provided has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Services offered by Natalie Erdossy are not clinical, pharmaceutical, or intended to diagnose or treat any condition. Families who choose to utilize the services on this page take full responsibility of their own health and for researching and using the remedies.*