Placenta Encapsulation Service

Placenta Encapsulation is the process of preparing the placenta for ingestion by dehydrating, powdering and placing it into capsules for the birthing person to use to help aid in postpartum recovery.  Katie Richardson provides placenta encapsulation services throughout Middle Tennessee. She is trained through Pbi (PlacentaBenefits.info) and provides the highest quality standards for placenta encapsulation services. 

The vast majority of those who have given birth will experience some sort of postnatal mood disorder, with some estimates as high as 80%. When one family member suffers, it affects the entire family! The purpose of encapsulation is to help aid postpartum recovery, and hopefully avoid the baby blues! Encapsulation can be done for births that take place in a home, hospital, or birth center, and for both surgical and non-surgical births.

There are many healing substances found in the placenta such as iron to aid postpartum healing/recovery, prolactin to help increase milk production, as well as your unique hormones to improve mood, increase energy level, avoid baby blues and even help avoid postpartum depression. Also oxytocin and other healing hormones are known to be produced in the placenta. 
Services include placenta pills, placenta tincture, and cord keepsake. 
The tincture is an alcohol based infusion that lasts long after your pills are gone.
​The placenta tincture can be used during emotional times, stress, PMS, and into menopause to help regulate hormones in the body.
I had a great experience with Katie encapsulating my placenta.
It's something I feel has made
a huge difference during my
postpartum period. She took
the time to answer all of my 
questions and made sure I was
comfortable with the whole
procedure. If we have another child I
will be contacting her again. A+ service!

- REBECCA

Gambill Photography
The goal is to make this process as easy and as stress-free as possible!  Therefore, there are two options in regards to where your placenta can be processed.  You may choose for your encapsulator to come to your home and complete the entire process there or you may choose for her to pick up your placenta at your place of birth and complete the encapsulation in her personal work space. There are no Tennessee laws governing placenta encapsulation specialists' transport of the placenta.  We want to give you the information you need to make the decisions regarding your placenta preparation that best fit the needs of your family! 

ENCAPSULATION AT YOUR HOME

Pros:  
  • You are in control of your placenta throughout the entire process.  There is never a question as to whether or not it is your placenta that is in your pills.
  • You can watch the process (if you so desire), take pictures, and get to know your encapsulator.  You can also ask questions about the process as it is happening.
  • You know the environment in which your placenta is prepared.
  • Your visitors have the opportunity to learn more about the encapsulation process directly from the encapsulator

Cons: 
  • You will have to arrange for transportation of your placenta to your home.  In the meantime, you will need to ensure that the placenta is kept at the proper temperature so that it does not spoil.
  • You will need to open your home to the encapsulator shortly after the birth of your child. You may, or may not, be home from your birth location when the encapsulator begins the process.  Arrangements will need to be made so that someone can be at your home to let the encapsulator in (2 days in a row for a couple hours each day). 
  • Sights, sounds, and smells associated with the encapsulation process may be unpleasant to some people.
  • The encapsulator will need access to your kitchen (stove, sink, and counter space). You will need to be sure those areas are accessible and clean.
  • It may take longer for your placenta to be completed due to scheduling access to your home for the two steps of the process.
  • You may have to explain placenta encapsulation to your friends or family who visit during the process, even if you may prefer not to speak about your choice to consume your placenta
  • There is a small fee associated with preparing the placenta at your home verses the encapsulator’s workspace

ENCAPSULATION AT AN OFF SITE LOCATION

Pros:  
  • The encapsulator will pick up the placenta at your birth location and return the completed capsules to you
  • The interruption of your early postpartum period is kept to a minimum.  The pickup/drop off time can be as little as 5 minutes (or more extended and personal if you prefer)
  • You will receive your completed pills more quickly as the encapsulator is able to process your placenta outside of normal, daytime hours and scheduling isn’t a concern (usually within 24-48 hours)
  • You will not have to deal with smells, sights, or noises associated with the encapsulation process.
  • You will not need to worry about making sure your kitchen is ready to process a placenta
  • You will not have to someone (likely a stranger) into your home during your first few days postpartum 

Cons: 
  • You don’t get to see the encapsulation process (although you can request that the encapsulator take pictures and send them to you)
  • You don’t see the environment in which your placenta in prepared and you don’t have the same level of certainty that you are receiving your placenta as you would if it were processed in your own home (Katie safeguards against this concern by not picking up or working on more than one placenta at a time.  If multiple placentas happen to be ready to be picked up at the same time, Katie has trained, experienced back-up encapsulators ready to help)
The purpose of encapsulation is to help you have
a better postpartum recovery,
​and hopefully avoid the baby blues!
Gambill Photography 
The placenta is composed of beneficial hormones, chemicals, iron, and proteins. These healing substances include:
  • Estrogen, Progesterone, Testosterone: Contributes to mammary gland development in preparation for lactation; stabilizes postpartum mood; regulates post-birth uterine cramping; decreases depression; normalizes and stimulates libido.
  • Prolactin: Promotes lactation; increases milk supply; enhances the bonding instinct.
  • Oxytocin: Decreases pain and increases bonding with the infant; counteracts the production of stress hormones such as Cortisol; greatly reduces postpartum bleeding; enhances the let-down reflex.
  • Placental Opioid-Enhancing Factor (POEF): Stimulates the production of your body’s natural opioids, including endorphins; reduces pain; increases well-being.
  • Thyroid Stimulating Hormone: Regulates the thyroid gland; boosts energy and supports recovery from stressful events.
  • Corticotropin Releasing Hormone (CRH): Low levels of CRH are implicated in postpartum depression. Regulation of CRH helps prevent depression.
  • Cortisone: Reduces inflammation and swelling; promotes healing.
  • Interferon: Triggers the protective defenses of the immune system to fight infection.
  • Prostaglandins: Regulates contractions in the uterus after birth; helps uterus return to its pre-pregnancy size. Anti-inflammatory effects.
  • Iron: Replenishes maternal iron stores to combat anemia, a common postpartum condition. Increases energy; decreases fatigue and depression.
  • Hemoglobin: Oxygen-carrying molecule which provides a boost in energy.
  • Urokinase Inhibiting Factor and Factor XIII: stops bleeding and enhances wound healing.
  • Immunoglobulin G (IgG): Antibody molecules which support the immune system.
  • Human Placental Lactogen (hPL): This hormone has lactogenic and growth-promoting properties; promotes mammary gland growth in preparation for lactation. It also regulates glucose, protein, and fat levels.