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The base price for placenta encapsulation is $380. There is a required, non-refundable $180 retainer fee to book my services. The options and prices are listed below. The balance is due at the time of placenta pickup. I encourage you to have cash, check or card ready for that payment on the day of pickup. I will send you an invoice after you fill out this form for the full fee where you can pay the retainer fee. You can pay the balance via the invoice upon pickup. I prefer that you wait to pay in full until the time of placenta pickup, eliminating the potential need for refunds if the placenta is unable to be processed for any reason. An additional fee for processing in-home vs in my office. Those details are listed below as well. After filling out this form, I encourage you to save a copy of this form for future reference.

I process all placentas within my home office. Preparing in your home is optional for an additional fee of $100. If you choose this in-home preparation, you are responsible for bring placenta home and someone must be present at all times while I am working. In-home prep requires 2 visits, roughly 24 hours apart. I will need an area of space roughly 3'x3' cleared and clean to work. All pets and children must be kept out of the kitchen while I am present working. I will return your kitchen to the original state, or cleaner, upon leaving. As I prepare all placentas according to OSHA Blood Borne Pathogens standards, the use of bleach or Cavicide will be present. Keep this in mind if you have small children at home or are sensitive to strong fumes.

The process of placenta encapsulation includes cleaning, steaming, dehydration, grinding, and putting into capsules. Throughout this process, OSHA standards and BBP protocols are followed. There is only one placenta processed at a time, and the space is thoroughly cleaned and sanitized between clients. All reuseable tools used disinfected, sanitized, and stored until their next use. All tools are dedicated to the use of placenta encapsulation only. Disposable tools are used where possible. The Traditional Method of preparation includes steaming the placenta to an internal temperature of 160 degrees for at least 10 minutes. It is then sliced into small segments and dehydrated for a minimum of 12 hours. It often takes longer for the pieces to be appropriately dried for grinding into a powder. The segments are ground into a fine powder and placed into vegetarian or flavored capsules. Nothing is added to the capsules, ever. (unless requested by clients) There are a few choices for add-ins for the steaming water below. The "original" add ins were lemon, jalapeno, and ginger which were believed to return the Chi, or warmth, to the belly after having a baby. Frankincense and Myrrh are often added if there was heavy bleeding or a surgical birth to aid in the healing and blood loss aspect. I do offer a complimentary cord keepsake. They are dehydrated and are similar to raw hide when complete. Keep out of reach of pets.

Preparation Method

Client Responsibilities - IMPORTANT(required)

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*I am "on call" to pick up your birth 24/7. If I do not answer PLEASE ring for a second time and leave a message. 

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*Talk to your care provider about your chosen birth places' policy for releasing your placenta. Sign any forms required and have them placed in your file. Inquire about the availability of a placenta specific refrigerator for storage while away from home. Remind them NOT to use any chemicals on the placenta. BE PREPARED TO STORE PLACENTA YOURSELF, OR HAVE A FAMILY MEMBER TEND TO IT, UNTIL I CAN PICK UP IF YOUR HOSPITAL HAS STRICT RELEASE POLICIES (time limits on storage/removal, etc) This will entail a small hard-sided cooler and ice.

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*If you are birthing in a hospital or birth center, remind staff upon arrival that you will be taking your placenta after the birth. Remind them again after shift change, if needed. Add your wish to take your placenta home to your birth plan.

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*Most local hospitals have designated containers for storage. If your birth place does not, bring a covered container, biohazard bag, or 2- 1 gallon sized Ziplock bags to place placenta in after birth. The container must be labeled with your name and date of delivery before I pick it up, if applicable.

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*Placenta can stay at room temperature UP TO 2 hours. It should be refrigerated or completely covered in ice (on ALL sides, under and on top of placenta) as soon as reasonably possible. Improperly handled placentas are susceptible to spoilage and might not a candidate for encapsulation if not stored appropriately.

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*Ask about your birthing place's storage protocol. Ideally, will be stored in a designated refrigerator until it is picked up or sent with you when you are discharged. If your placenta goes to pathology, I cannot encapsulate it.

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*Call or text message (443.907.8005) me as soon as possible after the birth to arrange transfer of the placenta. If you have a doula (other than me), feel free to have them call or text me so you can focus on baby. CALL ME AT ANYTIME if I do not respond text. I will arrange pick up for your placenta from 6-12 hours after you've notified me of the delivery. BE PREPARED TO STORE PLACENTA UNTIL PICK UP CAN OCCUR, IF APPLICABLE.

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*If you are unable to call or text me within 72 hours of birth, place the placenta in the freezer to be processed at a later date. Placentas refrigerated longer than 72 hours are subject to spoilage and might not be useable.

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*Refrigerated placentas take a minimum of 24 hours to process, but can take longer depending on many factors including time of birth, placentas already being processed, Doula Nicole's schedule, weather, illness, etc. Frozen placentas will take an additional 1-2 days in order to thaw safely before processing. I will keep you updated about the process if I think it is going to take longer than 48 hours. If in DE, hospitals like Bayhealth Dover, DE has a 2 hour window in which the placenta must be off-campus. This will require anyone birthing at Bayhelath, etc. to be prepared to store the placenta themselves, &/or have a designated person available to drop-off the placenta to me. Philadelphia Area has a time limit on placenta removal. Please inquire with the Charge Nurse in Labor and Delivery for exact times. Temple Hospital, Any Birth Centers,3 Lakeside Hospital freezes all placentas. Be prepared for your processing time to be longer than usual. Integris Edmond, OU, and St. Anthony's have all been very easy to work with as far as placenta pickup goes. I believe they all have dedicated space for placenta storage until pickup can be arranged.

I agree to all client responsibilities listed above.(required)

Yes

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Turnaround Expectations(required)

Full disclosure- I am a busy Doula & Photographer. Attending births may affect turn around times. I will do my best to get them to you ASAP, but will gladly refer to another APPA certified encapsulator if needed. I do my best to have your placenta back to you as quickly as it can safely be prepared. This is usually within 48-72 hours of pick-up. I may choose to have a back-up encapsulator process your placenta if I have received more than one placenta at a time so that I may meet turn-around times. Turn around times are not guaranteed. By choosing me as your provider, you understand that I maintain a busy birth practice and placentas will sometimes be delayed due to births. Clients who contact me for encapsulation after their labor begins will receive second priority to contracted clients which can cause a delay in your turnaround time, although I will strive to return their placenta within 48-72 hours. Should your processing be delayed due to my schedule, I will ensure that the proper steps are taken to keep your placenta safe.

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