Exclusive Placenta Encapsulation for Doula Clients

Placenta Encapsulation is available exclusively as an add-on for my birth doula clients. If you’d like to include this service, you can easily add it when booking your package or reach out directly.

As a birth nerd, I am constantly amazed by the placenta’s incredible role in sustaining life. For those who are curious and open to its potential benefits, placenta encapsulation can provide unique postpartum support.

I offer placenta encapsulation exclusively as an add-on service to my birth doula clients. This approach allows me to dedicate focused care to the families I serve while ensuring a seamless experience for those seeking this specialized service.

Placenta Encapsulation Package:

Available exclusively to Doula Mae clients as an add-on service.

  • Includes:

    • Placenta pick-up and transportation

    • Dehydration, grinding, and encapsulation

    • Vegan/Kosher/Halal size 0 capsules

    • Cord keepsake (on request)

    • Personalized usage instructions

    • Drop-off of completed capsules

Investment: $250 ($300 value)

Optional Upgrades

  • Cord Keepsake | Complimentary upon request
    Dehydrated and shaped into a heart, initial, or word (based on cord length).

  • 4-Ounce Tincture | $30
    Placenta powder is preserved in 100-proof vodka for long-term use.

  • Placenta Art Print | $30
    Artistic print created with natural or food-grade coloring on watercolor paper.

No need to book separately— just let me know during our consultation or as you select your services.

Benefits of Placenta Encapsulation

While every placenta is unique, many clients report benefits that include:

  • Hormonal balance for more stable moods

  • Reduced risk of postpartum depression

  • Increased milk production

As your encapsulation professional, I ensure that your placenta is handled with the utmost care, following food handling and bloodborne pathogen safety protocols to guarantee your peace of mind.

How Is Placenta Encapsulation Done?

Placenta encapsulation is a safe, straightforward process designed to turn your placenta into convenient capsules for postpartum wellness.

Your Options for Preparation

  • Raw Method: The placenta is cleaned, sliced, and dehydrated directly to preserve nutrients.

  • Steamed Method: Light steaming is done before dehydration, inspired by Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Safe and Professional Encapsulation

Once dehydrated, your placenta is ground into a fine powder and encapsulated in size 0 capsules, which are vegan, kosher, and halal-certified. Every step follows strict safety and sanitization protocols to ensure quality and peace of mind.

Frequently Asked Questions

about placenta encapsulation

  • Placenta encapsulation is the practice of ingesting the placenta after it has been processed, dehydrated, ground into a powder, and placed into empty capsules. It is ideal for the birth mother to consume the placenta shortly after giving birth, during a menstrual period, or during menopause. The placenta has numerous health benefits and contains a number of beneficial hormones (all listed below). There are many ways to utilize the powers of your placenta besides the common capsules, such as raw fruit smoothies or natural balms.

    • Prevents or lessens the risk of postpartum depression or “baby blues”

    • Replenishes your iron from blood loss during birth, preventing postpartum anemia

    • Lending you a consistent flow of oxytocin long after your birth euphoria ends

    • Provides the HPL hormone to help establish an early and healthy milk supply

    • Stabilizes your ever-changing post-birth hormones

    • Replenishes your B vitamins and energy that were used during the labor/birth process

    • Oxytocin - The “feel good” or love hormone helps create feelings of bonding, pain relief, happiness, and elation.

    • Cortisone - Unlocks energy stored in the body and helps to combat stress (cortisol).

    • Interferon - Stimulates the immune system to help fight off infections while the mother is healing from birth.

    • Prostaglandins - Acts as an anti-inflammatory.

    • Hemoglobin - Replenishes iron and stimulates iron production in the blood.

    • Urokinase Inhibiting Factor and Factor XIII - Lessens bleeding and promotes faster healing.

    • Prolactin/HPL - Stimulates healthy mammary function and milk production.

    • Placental Opioid-Enhancing Factor (POEF) - Modifies the activity of endogenous opioids enhancing pain reduction naturally.

  • Yes, although the research is limited.

  • Most often I'm asked to process a client’s placenta in my sanitized home workspace. However, if you prefer the encapsulation be done in your home Doula Mae will happily make the arrangements with you.

  • All tools, equipment, and surfaces are cleaned and disinfected before and after use with a 10% bleach solution.

  • The first phase (cleaning/dehydrating) of the encapsulation process typically begins the evening on which your placenta is picked up. The second phase (grinding/encapsulating) begins the next day. To ensure a safe and satisfying encapsulation delivery to the client usually occurs 48-72 hours after pick up.

  • The amount of capsules yielded is dependent on a few things; the size of your placenta, the processing method, and the size pill that you choose. On average a placenta will yield 125 - 200 capsules.

  • Although potency is expected to decrease with time, it has been said that capsules can be kept and used through menopause. If this is something you decided on it is recommended to freeze them in a freezer-safe bag. The standard shelf life of capsules (when properly stored) is two years.

  • Capsules should be stored in a cool, dry, and dark area. If by week 6 postpartum you find you still have quite a few capsules you can freeze them by transferring them into a Ziploc bag. When storing them in the freezer, place them in the back where it is coldest. Please check for signs of moisture if you leave them out longer than an hour, as this can cause spoilage.

  • The suggested dosage will be on your placenta container. It is suggested that you start by taking a higher dose and gradually decrease your dose. You will be able to take your pills as needed and adjust your dose based on your personal needs.

  • Tinctures although most commonly made using raw placenta can also be made using the powder from leftover capsules. It is made by allowing the placenta to ferment in 100-proof alcohol for a minimum of six weeks prior to use. A properly stored tincture has the ability to be kept safely for years after capsules are gone.

    *Feel free to contact Doula Mae if you find you would like to make a tincture with leftover capsules.

Can I still encapsulate my placenta if...

The answer is likely YES! In most scenarios (cesarean birth, meconium present, group b strep positive) you are able to safely encapsulate and consume your placenta. (see below)

Possible Risks or Contradictions

​There are very few risks of placenta encapsulation as long as you are following strict safety and sanitizing protocols, as well as understanding what the contraindications for consumption are. Doula Mae is educated and holds OSHA Blood-borne Pathogens Certificate and Food Handler Safety Certification.

The basic risks of having your placenta encapsulated are:

  • Unsanitary conditions. If the placenta is prepared in a dirty kitchen you run the risk of viral and bacterial contamination.

  • Improper sanitizing techniques. This puts you and your client at risk for cross-contamination, the spreading of bloodborne pathogens, and rancid blood.

  • Pathology. When the placenta is sent to pathology there are always risks associated. There is a chance that the placenta has been contaminated with chemicals, that the equipment used for examination has not been properly sterilized, and even a placenta that was returned does not belong to you.

  • Too little dehydration. If the placenta is not dehydrated at a high enough temperature, or if it was ground and encapsulated prematurely you run the risk of fungus, mold, and bacterial contamination. This can make the mother and breastfeeding baby very ill.

Contraindications of placenta preparation are as follows:

  • Chemically contaminated placentas in pathology, either sanitizing or preserving. Placentas that have sat out longer than 45 hours at room temperature post-birth with no preservation methods.

  • Placentas that have sat in the refrigerator for more than 4 days without being frozen.

  • Placentas that have mucousy or stringy blood

  • Uterine infections or chorioamnionitis

  • Heavy smoking during pregnancy

  • Heavy drug usage

  • Some low-weight, high-binding molecular weight drugs (uncommon, but can be discussed)

  • Cancer of the placenta, which is called choriocarcinoma.

  • Some genetic disorders ​​