Question 1

So how does this work... do I just call you?

Accepted Answer

In a nutshell... Yes!
Our entire process starts with submitting the 'Lets Get Started" form which sends you an email with a proposal, contract, and invoice for the deposit. Once you sign our contract and complete the non-refundable deposit payment we will either mail you a transport kit (if booked before 36 weeks) with a link to instructions, or email you (if booked after 36 weeks) a detailed client checklist to walk you through the process. 
Here are the basics: text us when you are in labor, put the placenta on ice ASAP after the birth, text us when you are ready for pickup, we come get the placenta, we process the placenta, we mail the capsules back to you!

Question 2

How do I get started?

Accepted Answer

This is a SUPER simple process!
1: Submit your name and contact information via the contact form
2. You will receive a follow up email with a link to a proposal/contract and invoice
3. Select your package options, sign the contract and pay the non-refundable deposit online
4. You are good to go!

Depending on when you signed up, we will either send you a transport kit (with instructions) or an email with contact and temporary storage for contact and pickup.

Question 3

What if I didn't sign up till AFTER I delivered?

Accepted Answer

That's ok!
1: Submit your name and contact information via the contact form
2. You will receive a follow up email with a link to a proposal/contract and invoice
3. Select your package options, sign the contract and pay the non-refundable deposit online
4. TEXT US at 206.552.0484 to let us know you are ready for pickup!

Question 4

Will you pick up my placenta from the birth place?

Accepted Answer

Yes! We will pick up from your birth place or home between 8am and 9pm. Once we process the placenta, we will  mail the completed service/capsules back to you.

Question 5

Will the hospital let me take home my placenta?

Accepted Answer

Most likely yes. All Puget Sound hospitals have their own placenta release policy and our clients have successfully taken home their placentas from all of them. There are no city, state or federal legal barriers. However, some hospitals may have more complicated policies and you may need to advocate for yourself in order to take home your placenta. When you sign a contract with us we give you a detailed checklist to help you communicate with your prenatal care provider both ahead of the birth and when you arrive in labor.

Question 6

How do I store the placenta until you pick it up?

Accepted Answer

Your care provider will put the placenta into either a plastic container or a sealed bag. You will need to put this in a cooler with ice until we pick up the placenta from you. Please keep the placenta with you in the cooler, not in a hospital lab or refrigeration unit outside your room.

Question 7

How many capsules will I get?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the size of your placenta and the way it is prepared. The average is 120-160 capsules. The lowest yield of our clients thus far has been 64 (preemie baby) and the highest yield has been 336! 
The size of the placenta typically corresponds to the size of the baby. 
Our Balanced method of encapsulation will give the most amount of capsules per gram of raw placenta. The Gentle method or Traditional Chinese Method gives the least amount of capsules per gram (about 24% less).

Question 8

How do I choose which encapsulation method is right for me?

Accepted Answer

About 50% of our clients choose the Balanced encapsulation method, 9% choose Gentle and 40% choose High Yield (no longer available). The reported benefits of encapsulation don’t vary too much between the methods. If you send us an email we’ll reply with our feedback survey book which includes full statistics by preparation method. If you have a strong affinity for Traditional Chinese Medicine, or follow traditional Eastern medicine practices, our Gentle method follows those same principles. If you want everything prepared according to USDA standards then the Balanced method is in alignment with those.

Question 9

I'm having a c-section/induction can I still encapsulate?

Accepted Answer

Yes! You can still encapsulate after an induction or cesarean as long as you don’t have the infection chorioamnionitis.
Even a positive GBS test, or presence of meconium do not contraindicate encapsulation!

Question 10

Do you offer in home placenta encapsulation?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately no, we no longer offer in-home placenta encapsulation. We prepare placentas in one of our specialist’s home workspaces. Our workspaces are an area set apart in our homes (not a family kitchen) that is used solely for placenta preparation. We use exactly the same preparation protocol, sanitation and safety precautions no matter where the placenta is processed. We only work on one placenta at a time.

Question 11

I'm banking or donating cord blood, can I still encapsulate?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The collection process is done immediately after the baby is born typically while the placenta is still inside you. It’s likely you won’t even notice the blood being drawn as you’ll be busy meeting your baby. The collection process doesn’t compromise the placenta in any way.

Question 12

Do you serve my city?

Accepted Answer

We serve from Mount Vernon in the North to Spanaway in the South. Gig Harbor is our Western boundary (we don’t serve Vashon, Bainbridge or Whidbey Islands) and our Eastern boundaries are Monroe/Issaquah/Buckley. You can see a map of our service area here. (https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=14ENaf1HKefczwESpyuYNhRyPPWk&usp=sharing)If your city isn’t highlighted we recommend a search at Find Placenta Encapsulation.(http://findplacentaencapsulation.com/find-a-placenta-specialist/)

Question 13

I live just outside of your service area, could you please???

Accepted Answer

If you live just outside of our boundary, message us. We may be able to do an out of area pickup for an additional $50 travel fee. Please confirm before signing!

Question 14

Do you offer discounts, trades or bartering?

Accepted Answer

We do not offer discounts. We may be open to a service trade or barter, just reach out and ask!

Question 15

Will my insurance or HSA cover this?

Accepted Answer

Hard to say. We have had some clients successfully pay with their FSA/HSA cards. We do not know of any clients who have been reimbursed by their insurance. If we can provide any specific paperwork you need to pursue reimbursement, please let us know.

Question 16

What if my baby is early or late?

Accepted Answer

We hold to the famous words of Gandalf the Grey “A baby is never late, nor are they early. They arrive precisely when they means to.” We provide 365 day a year coverage so that no matter when your baby makes their big debut we will be ready!

Question 17

Are there any reasons why I couldn't encapsulate my placenta?

Accepted Answer

Yes there are a few contraindications:
If your placenta is not refrigerated within 3 hours of the birth and is allowed to sit out at room temperature.
If your placenta is taken to pathology to be tested or examined.
If you have a lab-confirmed case of chorioamnionitis.
If you have hepatitis or HIV/AIDS (the hospital will typically refuse to release your placenta).
If your placenta has been in the refrigerator for longer than 4 days.

Situations that do not necessarily contraindicate encapsulation:
Group B Strep – there has been a recent report by the CDC that a mother’s capsules tested positive for group B strep after preparation with the raw foods method AND when the parent had NOT received antibiotic treatment. If you are GBS positive and declined antibiotics it is recommended that you prepare the placenta using the Gentle Method (TCM). If you did receive antibiotics and delivered at least 4 hours after that dose, you are considered 'treated'. And always, please wash your hands before and after handling your capsules.
Meconium staining – As long as there isn’t also a uterine infection we can still encapsulate. The top layer of the placenta can be peeled away and the rest thoroughly rinsed.
Fever in labor – There are many reasons why a woman might run a fever during labor and not all of them are contraindications to encapsulation. We will ask questions to find out if it is appropriate in your case.
Long labor or long rupture of membranes – This by itself isn’t a contraindication but you may be more prone to infection so we will ask screening questions during pick up.

Definitely not contraindicated: gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, cesarean, induction, epidural/spinal, magnesium sulfate, antibiotics, IV narcotics, cord blood banking

Question 18

Is there any chance of a mix up or cross contamination?

Accepted Answer

There is absolutely no chance of a mix up because we never work on more than one placenta at a time. Never. Ever. Your placenta is labeled start to finish and delivered back to you before another client’s placenta is begun. We do a full disinfection between each client of both the workspace and our equipment so that there is no chance of cross-contamination.

Question 19

What is the shelf life of my capsules and how many do I take?

Accepted Answer

We recommend you consume them within the first few months. 
After six weeks they need to be stored in the freezer. Most individuals take 2-4 capsules per day. The maximum is typically 9 capsules per day. You should take your capsules with a hearty meal and plenty of liquids. We include a full color digita dosage and postpartum resource guide when you receive your capsules.

Question 20

What does pickup look like?

Accepted Answer

Pickups occur between 8am and 9pm. One of our encapsulation specialists will contact you to coordinate pickup/handoff at your birth location or home. 
If you are in a hospital we will ask that your partner or support person meet us at the entrance for hand off. 
Our specialists strive to get to you in a timely fashion, but just as birth is an unpredictable event, so are our lives!

Puget Sound Placenta

Peace of Mind for
Your Postpartum

Puget Sound Placenta

Peace of Mind for Your Postpartum

Peace of Mind for
Your Postpartum