Placenta Encapsulation Service

Placenta medicine has traditionally been used to smooth physical and emotional transitions during the first few weeks after birth, improve energy levels, and increase milk supply. According to the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine, this method adds heat to a person's body after birth to help speed up the healing process and balance out a deficiency of heat that can occur from the blood loss associated with birth.

 

Red Tent Midwifery, LLC does steamed encapsulations. This includes removing the membranes from the placenta, steaming the placenta with lemon and ginger or cayenne, dehydrating it at 150°-160°F, grinding it with a coffee grinder, and putting it into capsules. The placenta is always handled with care. Gelatin or vegetarian capsules can be used. Upon request, the cord can be dehydrated for burial or as a memento. Also, a piece of the placenta can be made into a tincture to provide longer-lasting benefits.

 

Contact Susi at midwifesusi@icloud.com or 207.329.4399 for more information or to make arrangements prior to birth for placenta encapsulation.

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Research on placenta encapsulation

Limited scientific research has been conducted on the safety and efficacy of ingesting one's own placenta after birth, and the majority of the research either looks at perceived benefits or is low quality. Families are encouraged to research this option further before deciding to encapsulate. Following are articles on placentophagy (consumption of human placenta) that can be provided by the midwife upon request, or are available for free online.

Is it safe to encapsulate if I test positive for GBS (Group Beta Streptococcus)?

Group Beta Streptococcus (GBS) is a common bacteria found in the GI tract. From there, it can colonize the vagina. It normally causes no problems in healthy adults, but it can cause illness in newborns. Your provider will recommend testing for this bacteria at 36-37 weeks of pregnancy. If you test positive, you can talk with your provider about recommended treatments.

 

There is one case report of an infant developing late-onset GBS disease, after previously being treated for early-onset GBS disease, and whose mother ingested placenta capsules:

Notes from the Field: Late-Onset Infant Group B Streptococcus Infection Associated with Maternal Consumption of Capsules Containing Dehydrated Placenta — Oregon, 2016

Also read this article:

Group B Strep and Placenta Encapsulation Safety