FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT PLACENTA ENCAPSULATION

What the heck is Placenta Encapsulation?
Placenta Encapsulation is the act of taking the placenta (aka the afterbirth), dehydrating it and putting the powder into capsules.

Why would anyone do that?
All mammals, even the vegetarian ones, like deer, eat their placentas. Humans are the only mammals who do not eat their own placentas.
Studies show that ingesting the placenta post-birth not only gives you back a ton of nutrition and vitamins lost during pregnancy and birth, it also helps stabilize mood, thus helping head off any postpartum depression. Some women have also found that if they save their pills, they help manage the symptoms of PMS.

I’ve heard there are different methods to do this – what method does Belly and Bunting use?
We dehydrate the placenta raw and then grind it into powder and put it in capsules.

What are the capsules made out of?
You can choose between normal gelatin capsules or vegan gelatin capsules, which are made out of seaweed.

Do you always put it in capsules?
No. Sometimes we just make the powder and people add it to smoothies like a protein powder. However, since the placenta is an organ, the powder can have a very strong and distinctive “liver” flavor.

Do you add anything else to the pills?
Not usually. Sometimes we add herbal supplements or powdered vitamins to the powder/capsules. We are happy to do it, but since we are not herbalists or naturopaths, we cannot advise you on what to add. If you have something you want added, please have it available when the placenta is picked up.

Do you only do this for birth clients?
Nope! We’re happy to provide encapsulation as an “a la carte” service.

I'm giving birth in a hospital - will you deal with them for me?
No. If you did not keep the placenta with you right after you gave birth it will be sent to the hospital's pathology lab. Legally, the hospital can only release the placenta to you or a family member of your's.

How much does it cost?
For birth clients paying in the $700-1400 range, encapsulation is FREE.
For someone paying under $700 or for a non-birth client, we charge on a sliding scale of $75-$200. This is not based on income, you simply pay what you can afford in that range.

You didn’t answer my question – what should I do?
Email us at doula@brightgirl.net or call 206-617-3671 and we’ll be happy to help!