The Process
The process to encapsulate your placenta will begin within 48 hours after your birth.
Silver Spring Placenta now offers prep exclusively in my dedicated workspace. When you choose Silver Spring Placenta, I will pick up your placenta at the hospital as soon after birth as possible. I prepare your placenta in my space, and then drop the finished pills off with you at the hospital or at your home.
There are two different preparation methods that I offer: Fresh Start and Traditional. Both methods are equally beneficial, but tend to affect mothers in different ways. Therefore, depending upon your individual needs and beliefs, you may benefit more from one or the other. Please don’t hesitate to ask if you have questions about these methods!
Preparation Methods
Fresh Start
The Fresh Start Method is the gentlest way to prepare the placenta. It is a simple process. I will rinse your placenta in cool water. Both the cord and membranes are removed. I will not steam your placenta. After the cool rinse, I will simply slice and dehydrate it. After it is fully dehydrated, I will grind it into a powder and put it into vegan capsules. As a result of this gentle handling, the Fresh Start Method may preserve more of the nutrients in the placenta, particularly iron. It may provide a greater and more immediate boost of energy. This process may lack the longer-term tonifying effects that the Traditional Method offers. If you had a very long labor, a postpartum hemorrhage, or wish to increase milk supply and postpartum energy, Fresh Start Method encapsulation might be for you.
**IMPORTANT**
The placenta is potentially exposed to contaminants from the birth canal, including maternal fecal matter and GBS bacteria. The traditional steaming process helps to kill off these bacteria and can help protect against any potential illnesses from bacteria allowed to culture on the placenta before encapsulation. If you choose this method, I cannot ensure that there will be no bacteria present in the final product. I thoroughly rinse the placenta and ALWAYS dehydrate at 160 degrees for a minimum of 24 hours, so the possibility is small that bacteria will survive the process; however, I cannot guarantee it.
Average Number of Capsules
150
Placenta Steamed?
No
Fully Dehydrated?
Yes
Mother's Broth?
No
Dehydration Time
24-36 Hours
Other Things to Think About
This method yields more capsules. The gentle prep may preserve more iron. Most women say this provides a greater boost of energy.
Traditional
Inspired by traditional Chinese medicine, the Traditional Method begins with a rinse in cool water. I remove the umbilical cord and then wrap the placenta in the membranes. I will then gently steam your placenta over vegetables and herbs. If you choose the Traditional Method, I use lemon, ginger, and jalapeño peppers in the steaming water. I use organic ingredients if they are available. Ginger and hot peppers are warming herbs that are believed to infuse those qualities into the placenta remedy. Ginger is used to promote good blood flow and energy. Lemon is an antiseptic. It also helps to distribute the placenta throughout the body.
The Traditional Method is believed to enhance the placenta’s natural healing properties by warming and tonifying the person who consumes it. After the steaming, the herbs are discarded. I will then thoroughly dehydrate your placenta, grind it into a powder, and place it into vegan capsules. As a result of the steaming process, a nutrient-rich, delicious Mother’s Broth is produced. This has added benefits for postpartum healing.
Average Number of Capsules
110
Placenta Steamed?
Yes, with lemon, ginger, and hot pepper
Fully Dehydrated?
Yes
Mother's Broth
Yes
Dehydration Time
12-14 Hours
Other Things to Think About
The steaming process results in a large loss of mass, so this method yields fewer capsules. The heating process adds another layer of safety, as it destroys bacteria. It is believed to provide a balancing effect.
Your Health and Safety Are
My Top Priorities!
In recognition of the profound disparities
in birth outcomes between white and BIPOC birthing people, and in an effort to prioritize racial equity in birth, Silver Spring Doula donates a portion of each of their birth client fees to DC/MD/VA local Black birth organizations such as Mamatoto Village and B.I.R.T.H Equity Maryland.
All are welcome here.
Silver Spring Doula and My Gentle Birth, LLC are woman-owned and proud to serve the LGBTQIA+ community.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This service is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Families who choose to utilize these services take full responsibility for their own health and for researching and utilizing placenta remedies.