Placenta Encapsulation Description
Placenta encapsulation is the process of preparing the mother's placenta after the baby's birth. The ingestion of the placenta is known as "placentophagy." The purpose of placentophagy is to reintroduce beneficial vitamins, minerals, hormones, and other nutrients to the mother's body following labor and birth to help restore a more balanced body function, increase breastmilk production, shorten healing time, increase maternal energy levels, and provide an overall feeling of wellness to aid in the transition between pregnancy and the early postpartum period.
Limitations and Disclaimer
I am not a physician, and I cannot diagnose, treat, or prescribe for any health condition. Services and fees are for the preparation and encapsulation of your placenta, not for the sale of the pills. The benefits of placentophagy are supported by ongoing research but have not been evaluated by the FDA. Benefits will vary from person to person, and no specific benefits or effects are promised. I can supply you with relevant research on placentophagy. It is your responsibility to determine whether using placenta preparations may be of benefit to you. Placenta services are not meant to be a replacement for medical advice or prescription medicines. If you are experiencing symptoms of postpartum depression, low milk supply, or other medical concerns, please speak to your midwife or doctor.
Client Responsibility
It is your responsibility to notify me as soon after birth to make arrangements for me to carry out the encapsulation. (I will give you further instructions on contacting me after I receive your information.) Failure to do so may result in delayed placenta preparation and may cause spoilage of the placenta, which could render it unusable for encapsulation. It is your responsibility to inform me of any known bloodborne illnesses or other health issues that may put me at risk of infection through contact with bodily fluids, such as HIV, Hepatitis, or STIs.
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If you are birthing in the hospital, it is your responsibility to discuss your placenta's release from the hospital and ensure its storage in a cooler, refrigerator, or freezer within 3-4 hours following the birth. When I receive your information, I will send you further instructions based on which hospital you plan to give birth in.
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If you are birthing at home, please ensure your placenta is refrigerated within 3-4 hours after birth. If it is more than 4 days before the placenta can be prepared, it should be frozen.
Your placenta must not be treated with alcohol, formalin, or any other preservative.
There may be circumstances under which your placenta cannot be used. Significant placenta abnormalities may necessitate your care provider sending your placenta to Pathology for further examination. Other conditions, such as signs of maternal infection during labor, may mean that consuming your placenta will not be beneficial to you. If in doubt, I will consult with you before proceeding. It is usually possible to claim your placenta after a cesarean birth.
Service Description
I will pick up your placenta from your birthing location (unless other arrangements are made), carry out the encapsulation process in my home, and deliver your capsules to you. I do not currently offer encapsulation in the client's home -- I have found that I can more carefully maintain a properly sanitized environment in the dedicated space in my home that I have set up for placenta encapsulation.
As a placenta service provider, I can formulate your placenta via the Raw or Traditional Chinese Medicine encapsulation processes, yielding approximately 100-200 capsules taken throughout the postpartum period. Nutrients and hormones are restored, supporting the new mother as her energy returns, encouraging an abundant milk supply, and helping to ward off postpartum depression.
Traditional Chinese Medicine—This traditional Chinese medicine method involves lightly steaming the placenta with your choice of warming herbs (ginger, lemon, jalapeno pepper) before dehydration. When it is completely dry, I powder and encapsulate it.
Raw Placenta Encapsulation – The placenta is dehydrated raw and follows the principles of the raw food diet. It is said to retain more vitamins and helpful enzymes.
I maintain carefully sanitized equipment and have completed training in bloodborne pathogens. I take proper cleanliness and preparation precautions to ensure the highest quality of placenta encapsulation possible. When I deliver your placenta capsules, I will provide you with a detailed written explanation of the proper storage and handling of the finished placenta pills and suggestions for daily ingestion.
Service Area
My service area is limited to Dallas and surrounding areas within 30 miles of Rowlett. If you are outside this area, please contact me to refer you to an encapsulation specialist closer to you!
Fees
This service fee is $250, which includes the preparation and encapsulation of the placenta, a storage container for capsules, written instructions for storage and handling, and guidelines for taking your pills. An umbilical cord keepsake and placenta print are also provided, where possible. If you would also like a tincture, that is an additional $50. In all cases, I request a nonrefundable deposit of $100 upon signing this contract, with the balance payable upon receipt of your placenta. Payments may be made online via Zelle to shanna@kharismidwifery.com or Venmo to @shannahinrichs. If you need to pay in another form, please let me know to make arrangements.
Refunds
If your placenta is unavailable (e.g., sent to Pathology and not released) or if you change your mind and choose to terminate this contract before releasing your placenta to me, you are not responsible for the final payment, but the deposit is non-refundable. Once your placenta is in hand, payment will be due in full, even if you choose not to take the finished capsules.
Hold Harmless Agreement:
We will indemnify and hold Khairs Midwifery, LLC and/or Shanna Hinrichs harmless from and against any and all liabilities including personal injury, death, or property damage, any of which may incur as a result of any action or failure to act by Kharis Midwifery, LLC and/or Shanna Hinrichs or arising out of this Agreement or the subject matter thereof. Kharis Midwifery, LLC and/or Shanna Hinrichs shall only be liable for her gross negligence or intentional misconduct. We assume all other liabilities relating to or arising from this Agreement or the subject matter hereof, including and without limitation to any investigation or failure to investigate our doula and her qualifications and limited services provided.
By signing this contract, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to its terms and conditions.
