Placenta Encapsulation Process

Lately I’ve been getting more questions about the encapsulation process, and how it is performed in your home. Here is a step-by-step explanation of the process, from hiring me to taking your first capsules!

Since the encapsulation process is performed in your home after delivery, you (with the help of your support team) are responsible for transporting the placenta to your home. After delivery, it should be placed in a cooler with ice, and transferred to your refrigerator as soon as possible. Once you know your expected discharge time, contact me to schedule the encapsulation process. I bring all the tools and supplies I need, so you can relax and enjoy your new baby.

Upon arrival to your home, I will start by clearing a workspace comprised of the sink, some counter space, and the stove top (if choosing the steamed method) in your kitchen. The area is cleaned and disinfected before I set up my supplies. Finally, the placenta is brought out from the fridge, and the fun begins!

• Your placenta is rinsed and examined for any abnormalities.

• If placenta prints are desired, the amniotic membranes are removed, coloring applied, and prints taken. The umbilical cord is removed and shaped to later become a cord keepsake.

• The placenta is thinly sliced and placed into the dehydrator. If choosing the steamed method, the placenta is gently steamed before slicing.

• The dehydrator is plugged up in a safe location, away from children or pets, and left to dry overnight.

• Any reusable equipment is thoroughly washed with antibacterial soap, and prepared for a disinfecting bleach bath.

• The kitchen workspace is cleaned and disinfected again, so no traces of placenta remain.

The next day, at our predetermined time, I will arrive to your home with the supplies needed to complete the encapsulation process. The workspace in your kitchen is cleared, cleaned, and disinfected again before I set up my supplies.

• The dry strips of placenta are removed from the dehydrator, and ground into a fine powder.

• The capsule machine is filled with empty capsules, which are then filled with your placenta powder.

• Completed capsules are checked to ensure a tight seal, and placed into a jar.

• Placenta tinctures, salve, chocolates, or truffles are made from the same powder placed into your capsules.

• Any reusable equipment is thoroughly washed with antibacterial soap, and prepared for a disinfecting bleach bath.

• The kitchen workspace is cleaned and disinfected again, so no traces of placenta remain.

• The finished products are packaged, and presented to you with verbal and written instructions for their use.

6 Awesome Apps for New Parents

Being a new parent in the age of Google puts a lot of information into your hands— much more than even just a few decades ago. Instead of having to call a pediatrician or thumb through a book, you can just ask Alexa to find resources to answer some common questions:

• How much spit up is too much?

• How do I calm a colicky baby?

• How often do I give my newborn a bath?

• How do I tie a babywearing wrap?

With the power and speed of technology, many new parents have a wealth of ideas and activities at their fingertips. From Nested, here are a few ways smartphones can be extraordinarily helpful for first-time parents:

Ensure you have digital space

It doesn’t take long to realize that pics and videos eat data. Becoming a new parent might be the right time to purchase a new smartphone so that you get the best quality media and access to the right apps. The latest iPhone, for example, has a dual-camera system, plus the fastest chip ever in a smartphone and all-day battery life. If you’re worried about your expensive smartphone getting damaged, you can choose from a wide selection of different cases, including those that provide some protection against exposure to water. 

Document memories

Taking photos and videos of all those precious moments can help you cherish your memories and bring you closer together as a family, and an app like TinyBeans can be just the ticket. You can gather all your photos and videos in one spot, and the app even offers some helpful advice on gear and parenting hacks. It’s a great app for journaling and sharing milestones in a visual way, and you don’t need to worry about running out of space since everything is stored and shared safely and securely through the app. 

Share spontaneously

Sometimes special memories are created in an instant, and you don’t want to miss out on recording or being able to share those experiences. Qeepsake is a terrific app for helping you record and share those moments with friends and family. You can spontaneously add memories, milestones, and photos on the fly, and share them text-style with others. Then you can create a Qeepsake book to reflect on annually, semiannually, or as often as you’d like!

Track developmental changes

Understanding the developmental growth your baby is going through will show you how best to comfort and encourage them. That’s where an app like The Wonder Weeks app comes in handy. Not only does this app, supported by decades-long scientific research, help you prepare for the developmental “leaps” your baby will make every few weeks, it also shows you activities you can do to support and encourage that growth. The app integrates with your calendar, preparing you well in advance for “stormy” times when you can expect your baby to be fussier and grumpier than usual.

Keep your new life organized: Being a new parent means establishing new routines— a whole new normal, in fact. Family organizer apps like Cozi can help you manage your new lifestyle so everyone is on the same page when it comes to doctor’s appointments, feeding times, and other important schedules. Apps like these can also help you with meal planning, setting up chore charts, and keeping track of daycare and babysitters.

Monitor your baby: Whether she is sleeping in another room or happily playing solo in her crib, new parents want to keep an eye on their wee one at all times. Apps like the Cloud Baby Monitor give you the power to safeguard your child with the ease and convenience of your smartphone. Though leaving a baby alone unsecure is never a good idea, letting your child rest alone and giving her opportunities for independent play can teach her very valuable skills. 

Teach your baby language: Babies can understand language long before they can make sounds with their mouths. You can teach your baby to communicate even if they don’t have verbal language down by teaching them sign language. Parents report their child using signs like “more,” “all done,” “please,” “mommy,” and “daddy” in infants as young as six months old. Apps like Baby Sign and Learn Lite can explain what signs to teach when your child is ready, and how to teach them.

As your baby grows, so will your confidence and your ability to rely on your own intuition as a parent for decision-making. But the app world can help you get educated, track milestones, monitor safety and learn new activities to stimulate growth and play. Take the time to explore these apps to find ones that enrich and empower your new life as a parent.

(Article courtesy of Emily Graham of Mighty Moms)

What Every Expectant Parent Wants and Needs in a Hospital Go Bag

According to PubMed.gov, just five percent of births occur on their estimated date of delivery — while 66 percent take place within seven days of this date. And to ensure you’ll be ready for labor and delivery well before the baby is, it’s typically best to have your hospital bag packed and ready to go at least three weeks before the expected date of birth. To help you out, these tips will cover everything you’ll want and need in your hospital go-bag. Read on and let the packing begin!

Image via Unsplash

Pack Essentials for the Parents-to-Be. Your birthing hospital will likely provide you with some essential items — like hospital gowns, grip socks, labor tools, basic toiletries, and sanitary pads — but you’ll feel much more comfortable if you’re familiar with the items you’ll be using before, during, and after delivery. As such, you may wish to fill your hospital go bag with the following types of items:

 

●      A birthing playlist

●      Reading material

●      Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lip balm, and deodorant

●      Any makeup you plan on wearing during your hospital stay

●      Your toothbrush and toothpaste

●      Hair ties

●      Glasses, contact lenses, and saline solution

●      Your favorite pillow

●      Nursing supplies, including a breast pump

●      Flip flops

●      Several pairs of socks and underwear

 

Your non-pregnant partner will also need a few essential items as he or she awaits the birth of your new bundle of love. A few ideas for expectant dads, for instance, include comfortable shoes and clothing, toiletries, medications, a phone charger, and a comfortable pillow and blanket.

 

Remember Your Health Insurance Card. Depending on the hospital you’ll be delivering at, other required documents may include pre-admission papers, your pregnancy medical file, and any birthing preferences you have. You may also need to provide the contact information of your baby’s primary health care provider.

 

Bring Everything Your Newborn Will Need. In addition to all the different things you and your partner will need during your hospital stay, you’ll also want to pack a few essential items for your new bundle of joy. These items include soft blankets and swaddles, socks and hats, burp cloths, a nursing pillow, an appropriate outfit for your baby to leave the hospital in. Typically, the right coming home outfit will depend on functionality, current weather conditions, and the size of your newborn.

 

Before leaving the hospital, you’ll also need to install an infant car seat — as doing so is mandatory in all states. You can find a National Child Passenger Safety Technician near you, however, if you need help with the installation.

 

Don’t Forget Your New Mom Essentials. As you prepare for the arrival of your new bundle of joy, it’s easy to forget about the things you’ll want or need after giving birth to your newborn. But fortunately, this packing list from Kindred Bravely will help to ensure that you have everything you could possibly need as you prepare for labor and delivery:

 

●      Maternity and delivery gown

●      Anti-slip socks

●      Nursing bra

●      Washable nursing pads

●      Set of nursing pajamas

●      Few pairs of postpartum panties

●      Outfit to leave the hospital in

 

When selecting an outfit to leave the hospital in, make sure it’s stretchy and loose-fitting — and leave the stylish jeans or fitted pants at home. Some great options for postpartum mothers include drawstring yoga pants, joggers, soft nursing tees, and maternity nursing dresses.

 

Prepare for Delivery Day. While you may need additional items depending on your specific situation, these tips will help to guide you as you assemble your hospital go-bag and prepare for labor and delivery. Most babies arrive earlier or later than expected, so don’t put off packing: Start assembling your hospital bag today!

Placenta Donation

Your placenta is such an incredible organ! Your body begins creating this organ in the early weeks of pregnancy, and is fully functional at 12 weeks. The placenta is your baby’s connection to your blood supply, allowing for the exchange of nutrients and waste materials, The placenta is not a filter, as it does not retain the waste materials, rather shunts them into your body for excretion. We now know that the placenta also produces hormones such as oxytocin, progesterone, estrogen, and relaxin.

With all of this in mind, many people do not want their placenta (their baby’s lifeline) simply disposed of as medical waste. Some choose to consume it to replace nutrients and hormones lost during delivery, others bury it to fertilize a plant or tree. But what if you don’t want to, or are unable, to do those things? You can donate your placenta!

I have collaborated with South Carolina K9 Search Team to make this an easy process! I was honored to attend a training day with the team. It was absolutely fascinating! I hope these photos can show you a glimpse of my experience. Read on after the photos to learn more about this organization and how placentas are used to train HRD dogs.

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What areas does SCK9ST serve?

South Carolina K9 Search Team (SCK9ST) primarily works in South Carolina and Georgia, but will go anywhere we are called by an official agency. We have worked at or been called to everything from a suicide, drowning, or missing person, to a plane crash and Hurricane recovery mission.

How many dogs and trainers are a part of SCK9ST?

SCK9ST currently has 3 K9 handlers and 4 K9s. There are quite a few requirements that must be met by both the handlers and the canines to become a member of the team. We work and train with other search and rescue (SAR) groups and teams whenever possible. All 3 members of SCK9ST (and their canines) are also members of the Georgia Body Recovery Team (GBRT).

How long does it take to train a HRD dog?

Before becoming a K9 handler, one has to become a SARTECH II through the National Association of Search and Rescue. You would also need to take FEMA classes, First Aid, CPR, Navigation, and many more.

Training your K9 partner and learning to “read” your K9 will take a couple of years on average. You and your K9 must be certified by a national organization every 1-2 years and keep detailed records of the hours you train with and without your canine. You must also keep detailed records of every search you go on. These records must be kept for court if you are called as a witness.

How is a donated placenta used?

Donated placenta is a very important tool necessary for training cadaver dogs. Unlike drug or explosive dogs, cadaver dogs have 470+ odors they must master. Placenta has many of these odors combined and is a much need training aid. We use it sparingly and make it last as long as possible.

To donate your placenta, contact me or SCK9ST directly. All that is required of you is a simple release form and to arrange pickup after delivery!

Doulas & COVID-19

The last two weeks have been such a whirlwind, taking us from our normal routines to a full shelter-in-place order. With this post, I hope to share information and strategies to support you in the weeks ahead.

Memorial Hospital, St. Joseph’s/Candler, and Winn Army Medical Center hospitals here in the Savannah area are currently only allowing one support person to accompany someone in labor. Unfortunately, this person cannot return to the floor if they leave, and can not switch out with other support people. The Midwife Group & Birth Center is allowing one support person, but includes a doula as a part of the care team in addition to that support person. These policies come from the best intentions of protecting families and their babies, but present challenges of their own.

My greatest concern at this time is postpartum mental health. We know that when we are in times of high stress, our bodies produce more cortisol. When cortisol levels are high, we are more likely to perceive events as traumatic. Birth trauma arises from real or perceived trauma in birth.

So what can we do?

There are a few ways your doula can help support you in your birth experience, even when they cannot be physically present in the delivery room.

1) Prenatal Support

So much of a doula’s work is in the prenatal period, where we help educate and empower our clients about their options in their care during pregnancy and birth. These meetings are used to answer questions, help you decide your birth preferences, learn comfort techniques, process fears, and so much more! The great thing is, these meetings can happen virtually! Your doula is a birth encyclopedia, cheerleader, and listening ear for you. I personally also offer standalone prenatal consultations to provide this support to any pregnant individual, even outside of my service area.

2) Labor Support

Wait, you just said you weren’t able to be in the delivery room? While this may be true, most labor support begins at home! In fact, medical professionals are encouraging families to labor at home as long as possible to reduce your risk of exposure. Doulas are of course experts in labor support, but what many people do not realize is that we can tell how far along someone is in their labor journey based on their emotions, coping strategies, and sounds - meaning that we can help you decide when to head to your birth location.

3) Virtual Support

Once you are at your birth location, your doula can continue to provide support via text, phone, or video chat. We can provide verbal, emotional, and spiritual support, as well as instructing the people who are with you physically in comfort measures to support your labor.

4) Postpartum Support

Similar to prenatal support, your doula is available to answer questions, educate on postpartum life and baby care, provide emotional support, provide encouragement, and referrals to other resources. Your postpartum time can be challenging, especially in this time of uncertainty and social isolation. Your doula can help you build a support network for you and your new family to help you thrive!

BONUS: Childbirth Education

In addition to being a doula, I am also a childbirth educator. I am now offering the same award-winning, evidence-based childbirth education series I teach in person as an online course! The course consists of podcasts, videos, a course journal, and live sessions with me to answer questions and learn comfort measures. Your course also includes access to Prepared Feeding, an infant feeding course taught by an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant). Learn more here.

I hope this post serves to soothe some anxieties, and explains how your doula can still support you in this tumultuous time. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me!

For further information, visit:

Evidence Based Birth: Coronavirus COVID-19

Birth Monopoly: COVID-19 and Doula Support

My Doula Bag - Updated

A few years ago, I posted about my doula bag and it’s contents. Things have changed since then, and I wanted to re-write the post to tell you about it. I’m still using my ZUCA bag; it’s compact but has plenty of room for my supplies. The double wheels make it roll easily and quietly, and handle steps and curbs with ease. Also, the top of the bag is a seat, that I’ve found very handy at the side of a hospital bed or sitting behind a laboring person on the birth ball.

I purchased the organizing pouches that fit in the ZUCA to keep things neat and accessible. First up is the largest pouch that sits on the bottom of the bag. This one isn’t too exciting, it’s my personal bag. These items come in handy for long births when I need to freshen up.

Personal Pouch

*Full Change of Clothes

*Brush & hair ties

*Toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash

*Wisp toothbrushes

*Deodorant

*Medications

*Saline spray & artificial tears (hospitals are very dry!)

Fairly self explanatory, the next pouch is my Snack Pouch. These are mostly for me, but sometimes are helpful if the family didn’t pack any or labor is moving quickly. This pouch also holds mints and hard candies, to freshen breaths and soothe dry mouths. I also like to have Awake Chocolate for a caffeine boost when I can’t get a cup of coffee or tea.

Now we get to the fun stuff, all the doula tools and tricks! I’ll explain each of these as we go.

Environment Pouch

*Battery operated candles - these are a great way to calm the room, turning down the lights increases melatonin, which has a synergistic effect with oxytocin!

*Washcloths - hospital washcloths are scratchy and sterile white. I bring soft, colorful ones for my clients. These little touches make a big difference!

*Ice bag - if cool cloths aren’t enough, or the laboring person wants cold on their back or hips

*Contact solution & lens case - again, hospitals are very dry and this is an item easily forgotten by clients and their support people

*Honey sticks - I use these to give laboring people or a woozy support person a quick boost.

*Acupressure bands - these are great for points in the wrists, especially P6 for nausea.

Remedies Pouch

*Rescue remedy tincture & pastilles - these are a great way to soothe an anxious laboring person or support people!

*Calm, Focus, and Tummy drops from Calm-A-Mama - I don’t use these often, but I have them for my clients to use at their discretion.

*TENS unit and accessories - this is a great tool for early labor! Read more about it in this post.

*Essential oils, carrier oil, and gauze squares - there are a few oils that are useful for labor when used with discretion. I rarely put them directly on the laboring person, as their sense of smell is very sensitive, and I want to be able to get the smell out of the room if needed. These are in the clear packing pouch and sit on top of the other items in this pouch.

Labor Tools

These are the items I use at nearly every birth I attend, so they reside in the small pouch right on top.

*Unscented lotion - I use Lubriderm since it is so lightweight and non-greasy. and I am not allergic to it. My clients tend to want a lot of massage, counter pressure, and/or acupressure, so this gets used quite frequently! I also have a little tube of magnesium lotion, which is great for leg cramps.

*Tennis balls & massage tools - these help me save my strength when moms want massage or counter pressure for long periods of time.

*Saline spray & artificial tears - another set, this one for my clients! Hospital air is so dry, and dry eyes or noses are annoying in day-to-day life, but even more so in labor!

*New chapstick - dry lips are really common in labor, especially when laboring people are coping with deep breathing or moans and groans.

*New hair ties and clips - a flyaway hair is a nuisance, especially in labor!

*Bendy straws - a doula staple! It’s so important for laboring people to stay hydrated, but it is hard to drink out of a cup in some labor positions.

Whew! We made it through all the pouches! Lastly, I have a few items that ride loose in my doula bag, or in the interior pockets.

*Rebozo - an incredible tool! Rebozos have an amazing history and have been used for centuries to comfort pregnant people and those in labor. If you want to learn more, come to a class! The wooden spoon goes along with this in order to make hip squeezes easier!

*Phone charger - I have to stay in contact with my family, and occasionally other clients. I also use my phone to look techniques or positions up when I’m out of ideas!

*Reference materials - these are great when I want to share a technique with a nurse or support person before trying it, or when I need new ideas.

*Thank you notes - I love to give a little note to great nurses and providers! Personal connections matter, and I’ve made friendships with nurses from this small gesture.

*Business cards - always good to have on hand!

*Lactation keychain - the bead on this keychain represents the stomach of a newborn. It is a great tool to help encourage moms who are concerned about babies’ small, frequent feedings.

That’s it! I hope this blog was helpful to you. I would love to know what your favorite tool or trick in your bag is, so leave a comment below!

What do I do when my friend loses a baby?

Pregnancy and infant loss can be a difficult topic, especially if you have never experienced it yourself. Here are some easy, practical suggestions on how you can support a friend or loved one in such a difficult time.

1) Professional support

One of the very best things you can do is connect your friend or loved one to professional bereavement support. Bereavement doulas and mental health professionals with experience in this type of loss are a huge asset to a grieving family. Find a certified bereavement doula in your area by visiting www.stillbirthday.com/find-doula/ or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/groups/findyourdoula/. For a mental health provider, look for someone with a specialty in ‘maternal mental health’ or ‘grief and loss’.

In the Savannah area, we have myself and Tasha Mahnke as bereavement doulas, as well as Bridget Cross, Brandy Zinn, and Ann Kuhlke-Lee for mental health professionals.

2) Practical help

Practical help is the most helpful after a loss, but is very hard for most people to ask for or accept. This is definitely a suggestion for those closest to the person experiencing the loss. Light cleaning, such as loading/unloading the dishwasher, taking the trash out, or doing a load of laundry can be a huge help as a family adjusts to their new normal. For families with children, coming to the home or taking the children out to entertain them can give grieving parents a much-needed break.

Another great practical help is providing meals for a family. In my experience, this can become hectic and overwhelming if not well-organized. Consider taking meals that can be frozen and used later to keep from inundating them with leftovers. I also highly recommend using a schedule such as www.takethemameal.com to organize needs and volunteers all in one place.

3) Language

Be careful with your language around pregnancy and infant loss. Many of my clients have shared with me that “at least…” statements are the most painful things they were told after their loss. Examples: “At least it was early.” “At least you can have another!” Try to avoid offering a solution or ‘fix’ the situation as well.

So what can you say? The simplest thing to say is “I’m sorry.” These two little words have profound impact - they give a parent permission to grieve, as you have acknowledged that they have experienced loss that deserves to be honored. If you have experienced pregnancy or infant loss yourself, you may consider sharing suggestions that were helpful to you, but remember that everyone’s experience is different.

4) Remember

If the family shared their baby’s name with you, use it! Many avoid using babies’ names as they fear they will hurt the parents. Parents generally feel the opposite; that their baby existed and mattered to others.

If at all possible, acknowledge important dates such as the baby’s due date and birth date. A simple ‘thinking of you’ message or card is an invaluable gift to a grieving family. Etsy has many choices for cards and small gifts, you can find one of my favorites here.

This post originally appeared on SavannahBirth.com

Acupressure for Birth

I just completed a wonderful course on acupressure for birth. I learned a few useful acupressure points in my doula training, and have found them helpful in some labors. I jumped at the opportunity to expand my knowledge with this course! I really enjoyed learning more about how my hands can be used to support a laboring client, beyond simple touch and massage.

Using acupressure for nausea on a client in transition. Photo courtesy of Tara Ruby.

First, let’s briefly discuss how acupressure works. Acupressure and acupuncture are age-old therapeutic modalities, originating from ancient China. When using acupressure, we are focused on certain points of the body that correspond to certain conditions. Research shows that using these points stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system. (The autonomous nervous system controls our ‘fight or flight’ responses, while the parasympathetic controls our ‘rest and digest’ functions). We know it is essential for the birthing person to be as relaxed as possible during labor, and the parasympathetic nervous system helps by slowing the heart rate, increasing gland activity, and relaxing sphincter muscles. (Remember, the cervix is a sphincter!) Evan, one of the instructors of the course, summarizes it this way: “acupressure gives us a direct line of influence into the most basic functions of the nervous system’s control over the birthing process.”

I think the most helpful things I learned in this course were how to use acupressure for postpartum and cesarean births. In the postpartum period, we can utilize points for fatigue, uterine recovery, and lactation. When supporting a cesarean birth, we can not bring things with us into the OR, and many of our comfort measures that we use in labor are not appropriate. Using acupressure allows us to help the mother to remain calm and be present during their surgical birth. It can also help alleviate some of the discomforts common to cesareans, such as headache and shortness of breath.

Acupressure is useful for many situations in labor, birth, and postpartum; everything from anxiety and nausea, to bleeding and lactation. For most conditions, there are multiple points that can be stimulated to increase the effects. It is important to be trained in acupressure, as some points can induce labor, and should not be used without permission of one’s care provider. On the other hand, using inappropriate points will not bring about the helpful effects we desire.

Further Reading:

www.acupressureforbirth.net

Acupuncture or Acupressure for Pain Relief during Labor

Acupressure to reduce labor pain: a randomized controlled trial

Acupuncture or acupressure for induction of labor

That Time I Was In A Viral Story

In early March, I had a client who wanted to consume her placenta, but could not swallow pills. So, we discussed putting all of her placenta powder into chocolate, rather than just an 'extra' to pills like most of my clients who want chocolates.

After receiving the call that she had given birth, we made plans for me to come to their home and start the process that evening. As usual, I arrived and began cleaning, sanitizing, and setting up. My client and her mother wanted to watch the whole process, so they set up camp at the breakfast bar above my work area. As I began working, my client began taking photos, and let me know she was posting them on her SnapChat. I thought it was a fun idea, and figured it might reach 20 or 30 people.

Little did I know, the snaps were also posted to Facebook, and quickly began being shared. The first time I knew this was going to be a crazy ride was when I saw the post had 8,000 shares. I shared this with fellow placenta professionals, and we celebrated and wondered what this would turn in to. Little did I know, in just a few days, the original post would reach 100,000 shares. I began receiving private messages and comments that weren't so great, and had to lock down my personal page and carefully monitor my business page. I have received some great encouragement and support, but have also learned that people can be incredibly hateful when hidden by a screen.

The content was soon picked up by an agency and was posted on the Daily Mail, the Sun, Metro, and the Mirror! I'm not sure exactly how far this little video reached, as it has been re-posted in other formats, on pages, in groups, on websites, and who knows where else! I could not have imagined this happening, in my mind it was just little ol' me doing my job! I look forward to helping mothers consume their placentas however they desire for years to come.

Encapsulation Methods

When I encapsulate placentas, I offer two different preparation methods. Here is a quick summary of where these methods come from, and why one method may be better than the other for some clients.

Raw Preparation

This method is based off raw foods diet, with the belief that heat destroys important enzymes in food. When processing a placenta via the raw method, the placenta is rinsed and drained of excess blood, then sliced thinly and placed in the dehydrator.

Clients using this option report a greater a burst of energy upfront and great hormone stabilization.

This method is not recommended if the client is GBS+ (group beta strep positive) or meconium is present.

Steamed Preparation

This method is inspired by the Traditional Chinese Method. Since I am not a practitioner of Chinese Medicine, I don't use the term. Also, some who practice this method, sometimes steam the placenta with other ingredients such as lemon, ginger, and/or jalapeno. I am not versed in the effects of these ingredients, so I prefer to simply steam the placenta.

This option provides a more steady release of energy, which is why it is recommended for clients with a history of anxiety, depression, or insomnia.

Some believe this method makes iron more bioavailable. There is some evidence that heating the placenta might affect the stem cells, hormones and B vitamins which are sensitive to heat, but we don't know to what degree they are affected.