Encapsulate Your Placenta with ABQ Doulas

              **Encapsulation is done in your home and is done within Albuquerque/Rio Rancho city limits only**

Your placenta is a remarkable organ that has regulated your hormones and nourished your baby during your pregnancy!  Making the choice to consume your placenta in a dehydrated capsule form is an option for today’s birthing woman. Placenta encapsulation originated in traditional Chinese Medicine but is considered by many a viable and helpful practice today. Women in many cultures link consuming the placenta with a decrease in postpartum depression, increase in milk supply, an increase in energy, a way to replenish iron and vital nutrients and to balance hormones.  Fans of placenta consumption, believe that the placenta made the difference in their physical and emotional health. This practice is highly thought of by many, and rejected by others, and as such it is a very personal decision that only the birthing person can make for themselves.  As with any choices you make regarding your own and your baby’s health, you must be the one to decide if placenta encapsulation and consumption is the right choice for you.  ABQ Doulas offers you placenta encapsulation with Stephanie Garcia who is a certified Postpartum Placenta Specialist. You do not need to be a doula client of ABQ Doulas in order to use our encapsulation services.

What are the benefits of placenta consumption?

Traditional Chinese Medicine supports consumption of the placenta dating back to the 16^th century. Consumption was suggested for insufficient lactation and a host of other health issues that include impotence, whooping cough, heart disease, and dementia. Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Medica states that the placenta is a restorative and balancer, nourishing energy and fighting fatigue. Many people who today consume their placentas believe that the placenta made the difference in their physical and emotional health.

Which process of encapsulation do you offer?

ABQ Doulas offers the traditional method of encapsulation, which is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine. The process includes steaming the placenta before dehydration to thoroughly kill germs or bacteria.  Knowing that this is the method we use, gives our clients peace of mind for safe consumption. We do not advocate using the raw method of preparation.

What do I do with the placenta after my birth?

When you decide to have us process your placenta, we give you all the instructions you need to store it safely after the birth of your baby. It is an easy process and hospital staff will assist you.

When and where do you start the process?

Your placenta can be encapsulated at any time in the first few weeks as long as it has been stored according to our instructions. Ideally, we like to begin the process within a few days of your birth so that your capsules will be ready for ingestion as soon as possible. If this is not possible or undesirable to you, freezing your placenta and then defrosting it before encapsulation is recommended. Your placenta can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Why do you do the process in our home?   We prioritize your safety and peace of mind. The guidelines that we hold to hold exceed the standards of the industry. It benefits you to have this process done in your home in the following ways:

• You can be confident that your placenta is yours and yours alone, as it is the only one in your home and you brought it there yourself. You will not accidently receive any placenta product from another woman.
• There is no risk of your placenta being exposed to any unfamiliar bacteria that may interfere with healthy postpartum recovery.

What if my family/friends are unsupportive?

Your decision to encapsulate your placenta is a personal one, and it may not be for everyone. Sharing decisions about birth, parenting, and postpartum recovery that are personal to you may expose you to unnecessary judgement from others. Choose what is best for you and make no apologies for those decisions. Your finished product will look like any other vitamin or supplement and will not cause a visitor to question it.

Do we need to be home during the process?

This is entirely up to you and your comfort level. Whatever you decide is how we will move forward. As professionals, it is our desire to make the process as smooth and comfortable for you as possible.

How long does the process take?

The entire process will take approximately 24 hours.  Your placenta specialist will be with you for about an hour each day, for 2 consecutive days.

Can you encapsulate my placenta raw, or without steaming it?

We prioritize your safety, so we will always steam the placenta to kill germs or bacteria. Raw placenta preparations have the highest numbers of microbial species and as your safety and baby’s, we do not offer that option.

Can you get my placenta from the hospital?

We will provide you with instructions to safely transport the placenta to your home after delivery. This will allow you to keep it safe and handled properly until we begin the encapsulation process.

What will I receive? 

For the cost of $325.00 plus NM state tax, you will receive:

* 100 to 120 Placenta capsules, encapsulated in vegetarian capsules (depending on size of placenta)

* Tincture: A gluten free alcohol-based placenta tincture that will last indefinitely 

* Placenta Print: A keepsake print of your placenta ​

* Cord Keepsake: Your umbilical cord dried into a unique shape (as allowed by cord length)

* Instructions for capsule usage