Frequently asked questions
Bookings and Payment
Processing availability is limited so please book early to avoid disappointment. A $50 non refundable deposit is required to secure your booking. The balance can be paid by cash or direct transfer before or upon receipt of the placenta. Bank details will be supplied after your booking form is received.
How many capsules will I get and how should I take them?
Placentas vary in size so it is difficult to say how many capsules you will get but it should be between 80 and 200. A placenta specialist cannot legally give dosages but most woman usually take 2 capsules 2 or 3 times a day for the first 2-4 weeks postpartum, then 1-2 whenever they need an energy boost or need to increase their milk supply. Suggested dosage information will be provided with the capsules but women are encouraged to listen to their bodies and take the capsules accordingly.
How do I store my placenta?
Everything you need to know is in the Safe Storage and Handling section. How your placenta is handling can impact on its suitability for processing.
How do you store my placenta?
Your placenta will be stored in a dedicated fridge until it is ready for processing.
When will I get my capsules?
If your placenta is received before 5.30 pm, capsules will be ready the following day before noon.
How soon do you collect a placenta?
I aim to collect a placenta within a few hours of birth, placentas arriving after 7pm will be collected the following morning.
How long will the capsules last?
Your placenta capsules will be supplied in a sealed jar and must be kept in a cool dark place. NOT IN A FRIDGE. The capsules contain no preservatives and they should be stored in a freezer after about 6 weeks. Take them frozen, do not thaw. In the absence of any research on the life of dehydrated placenta, it is recommended that remaining capsules be consumed within 12 months. KEEP THEM OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN
What happens to the umbilical cord?
It will be dehydrated and returned to you as a keepsake. If you don't wish to have the cord preserved it can be safely discarded.
What happens if you are not available to process my placenta?
There are no other PSA verified placenta encapsulators in Canberra so I do not have a back-up team. However, I do let clients know well in advance if I am going to be away and give instructions on how to safely store the placenta until I can process it. On very rare occasions a placenta may have to be frozen for a short time. Freezing does not affect the quality of the final capsules.
Do you service outside the Canberra region?
Please call to discuss, it may be possible, extra costs would be incurred to cover additional travel to collect a placenta.
How do I find a placenta specialist outside the Canberra region?
Placenta Services Australia Inc maintains an Australia wide directory of verified and un-verified encapsulators.
PSA was established::i. To maintain the integrity of our work in relationship to placenta processing....
ii. To create community through sharing of knowledge and experience.
iii. To maintain the highest professional standards for practitioners.
iv. To provide a viable set of Standards and a Code of Ethics for Australian Placenta Specialists.
v. To develop a benefit package for members which includes a members directory and practitioner discounts.
vi. To provide a collective voice to negotiate with government and other professional organisations on matters regarding placenta processes
vii. To provide consumers with information allowing them to advocate for their right's in regards to keeping their placenta.
How do I know that I am only getting my own placenta in the capsules?
Only one placenta is processed at a time. Your name and details are crossed checked against your booking information at pick-up, during processing and again at delivery. If two placentas arrive on the same day the one from the earliest birth will be processed first. The second placenta is stored in a dedicated fridge until the first placenta is processed. A complete sanitization and disinfection process is performed on all equipment, including 24 hour air drying, before using again. During this drying period a second set of equipment is used so there is no delay in getting capsules to clients.
Do you offer raw processing ?
I only do raw on request. My ongoing research on food safety has persuaded me that there can be a risk processing at low temperatures, or if a placenta is mishandled prior to reaching me, this is the area I have no control over. If you can answer ‘yes’ to all the following questions I am happy to process raw.
1. Was your placenta birthed onto a clean surface?
2. Is your placenta free of meconium?
3. Was your placenta stored in a clean container or bag immediately after birth?
4 .Was your placenta placed on ice or in a fridge within 30 minutes after birth?
5. Has your placenta remained chilled since your birth?
What is placenta tincture?
A tiny piece of placenta can be used to make a tincture. It is believed that the placenta contains all one's strengths so treating the individual with it’s tincture will provide balance when there is imbalance. A tincture would be a constitutional remedy for your baby throughout her/his life. It is believed to boost the immune system and can be used at times of trauma, change or emotional distress. For the mother it is recommended for hormonal balancing e.g. PMS or later in life during menopause. The tincture is provided as a 200ml storage bottle and a 25ml dose/dropper bottle.
What is placenta balm?
Placenta balm is an individually handmade healing salve made with shea butter, beeswax, coconut oil, sweet almond oil, calendula and lavender and bergamot essential oils blended with some of your placenta powder. It is soothing and healing, particularly good for sore nipples, red bottoms, abrasions and most skin conditions.
Are placenta artworks possible before encapsulation ?
Yes, and they are a unique work of art and accurate depiction of your baby’s ‘tree of life’. The natural blood is used to transfer the shape to acid free art paper, using a photograph as reference, the distinctive features are then painted by hand using high quality artist’s paint. The final work is highlighted in gold ink and presented in an archival quality enclosure ready for framing.
My placenta has been in the freezer for a few months. Is it too late to have it encapsulated?
It may be ok, it would need to be thawed and assessed for freezer burn or other damage. It will have lost some nutrients over time but will still have value for up to six months.
Can a frozen placenta be used to obtain art work?
Yes, it can.
Can artwork be done from a photograph of my placenta?
Yes, a clear colour photograph of the 'baby side' of you placenta is a good reference for original artwork.
Are hospitals happy to save my placenta for encapsulation?
Yes, I have a good working relationship with hospitals in the region and they are all co-operative and supportive.
Processing availability is limited so please book early to avoid disappointment. A $50 non refundable deposit is required to secure your booking. The balance can be paid by cash or direct transfer before or upon receipt of the placenta. Bank details will be supplied after your booking form is received.
How many capsules will I get and how should I take them?
Placentas vary in size so it is difficult to say how many capsules you will get but it should be between 80 and 200. A placenta specialist cannot legally give dosages but most woman usually take 2 capsules 2 or 3 times a day for the first 2-4 weeks postpartum, then 1-2 whenever they need an energy boost or need to increase their milk supply. Suggested dosage information will be provided with the capsules but women are encouraged to listen to their bodies and take the capsules accordingly.
How do I store my placenta?
Everything you need to know is in the Safe Storage and Handling section. How your placenta is handling can impact on its suitability for processing.
How do you store my placenta?
Your placenta will be stored in a dedicated fridge until it is ready for processing.
When will I get my capsules?
If your placenta is received before 5.30 pm, capsules will be ready the following day before noon.
How soon do you collect a placenta?
I aim to collect a placenta within a few hours of birth, placentas arriving after 7pm will be collected the following morning.
How long will the capsules last?
Your placenta capsules will be supplied in a sealed jar and must be kept in a cool dark place. NOT IN A FRIDGE. The capsules contain no preservatives and they should be stored in a freezer after about 6 weeks. Take them frozen, do not thaw. In the absence of any research on the life of dehydrated placenta, it is recommended that remaining capsules be consumed within 12 months. KEEP THEM OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN
What happens to the umbilical cord?
It will be dehydrated and returned to you as a keepsake. If you don't wish to have the cord preserved it can be safely discarded.
What happens if you are not available to process my placenta?
There are no other PSA verified placenta encapsulators in Canberra so I do not have a back-up team. However, I do let clients know well in advance if I am going to be away and give instructions on how to safely store the placenta until I can process it. On very rare occasions a placenta may have to be frozen for a short time. Freezing does not affect the quality of the final capsules.
Do you service outside the Canberra region?
Please call to discuss, it may be possible, extra costs would be incurred to cover additional travel to collect a placenta.
How do I find a placenta specialist outside the Canberra region?
Placenta Services Australia Inc maintains an Australia wide directory of verified and un-verified encapsulators.
PSA was established::i. To maintain the integrity of our work in relationship to placenta processing....
ii. To create community through sharing of knowledge and experience.
iii. To maintain the highest professional standards for practitioners.
iv. To provide a viable set of Standards and a Code of Ethics for Australian Placenta Specialists.
v. To develop a benefit package for members which includes a members directory and practitioner discounts.
vi. To provide a collective voice to negotiate with government and other professional organisations on matters regarding placenta processes
vii. To provide consumers with information allowing them to advocate for their right's in regards to keeping their placenta.
How do I know that I am only getting my own placenta in the capsules?
Only one placenta is processed at a time. Your name and details are crossed checked against your booking information at pick-up, during processing and again at delivery. If two placentas arrive on the same day the one from the earliest birth will be processed first. The second placenta is stored in a dedicated fridge until the first placenta is processed. A complete sanitization and disinfection process is performed on all equipment, including 24 hour air drying, before using again. During this drying period a second set of equipment is used so there is no delay in getting capsules to clients.
Do you offer raw processing ?
I only do raw on request. My ongoing research on food safety has persuaded me that there can be a risk processing at low temperatures, or if a placenta is mishandled prior to reaching me, this is the area I have no control over. If you can answer ‘yes’ to all the following questions I am happy to process raw.
1. Was your placenta birthed onto a clean surface?
2. Is your placenta free of meconium?
3. Was your placenta stored in a clean container or bag immediately after birth?
4 .Was your placenta placed on ice or in a fridge within 30 minutes after birth?
5. Has your placenta remained chilled since your birth?
What is placenta tincture?
A tiny piece of placenta can be used to make a tincture. It is believed that the placenta contains all one's strengths so treating the individual with it’s tincture will provide balance when there is imbalance. A tincture would be a constitutional remedy for your baby throughout her/his life. It is believed to boost the immune system and can be used at times of trauma, change or emotional distress. For the mother it is recommended for hormonal balancing e.g. PMS or later in life during menopause. The tincture is provided as a 200ml storage bottle and a 25ml dose/dropper bottle.
What is placenta balm?
Placenta balm is an individually handmade healing salve made with shea butter, beeswax, coconut oil, sweet almond oil, calendula and lavender and bergamot essential oils blended with some of your placenta powder. It is soothing and healing, particularly good for sore nipples, red bottoms, abrasions and most skin conditions.
Are placenta artworks possible before encapsulation ?
Yes, and they are a unique work of art and accurate depiction of your baby’s ‘tree of life’. The natural blood is used to transfer the shape to acid free art paper, using a photograph as reference, the distinctive features are then painted by hand using high quality artist’s paint. The final work is highlighted in gold ink and presented in an archival quality enclosure ready for framing.
My placenta has been in the freezer for a few months. Is it too late to have it encapsulated?
It may be ok, it would need to be thawed and assessed for freezer burn or other damage. It will have lost some nutrients over time but will still have value for up to six months.
Can a frozen placenta be used to obtain art work?
Yes, it can.
Can artwork be done from a photograph of my placenta?
Yes, a clear colour photograph of the 'baby side' of you placenta is a good reference for original artwork.
Are hospitals happy to save my placenta for encapsulation?
Yes, I have a good working relationship with hospitals in the region and they are all co-operative and supportive.