Doula - Placenta Encapsulation

Why hire a Doula? 

Everyone deserves a doula!

A 2017 systematic Cochrane review showed that having continuous labor support makes one more likely to have a spontaneous vaginal birth and shorter labor, and less likely to have a cesarean delivery, instrument-assisted delivery (vacuum, forceps), regional pain medication, low APGAR scores, or a negative birth experience. In 2014 the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists released a statement that the single most important thing someone can do to decrease their chance of cesarean is to have "the continuous presence of support personnel, such as a doula." The US national average for cesarean was 32% in 2019.

I can't guarantee your outcome, but working with a doula can set the odds in your favor.

When should I hire a doula?

Ideally, around the start of the second trimester. The price for text and phone call exchanges is a flat rate in our fee. The earlier you hire me, the sooner I can be of service in preparing you for the latter stages of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum and build a trusting relationship.

I often have room to fit in late-to-care clients, but that is never a guarantee.

Will my doula come to my home or meet me at the hospital?

I will join you during your labor whenever you feel ready for me. For most people, this is before the hospital at their home. If you are being induced, our preference is to join you at the start of the induction and stay long enough to help you ask questions about the process and procedures. I then return whenever you need me or any "next step" in the process. Some inductions can take several days. My goal is to help you pace yourself, provide as much or as little support as needed in the early labor and first contractions, and then provide continuous presence as I would typically do during active work.  

Why should I have a doula if I plan to get an epidural?

A doula is beneficial in assisting with planned mediated or un-medicated births. I can do quite a lot to keep the baby moving down and keep you comfortable during labor with an epidural. Physically you might not feel it with an epidural, but emotionally, you are still laboring. While you rest, I continue with acupressure and massage, body positioning, and more.

Doula Bula makes no judgments about how you choose to manage your labor and decide to feel physical or not feel. It's your birth, your way. 

Why should I have a doula if I have a midwife?

A midwife is there as your medical care provider. You may have a strong emotional bond with them, but their priority is to ensure a safe outcome for both you and the baby. A midwife needs to stay rested and alert for the delivery. A doula compliments the presence of a midwife, there to support you emotionally and physically for however long it takes. 

Why should I have a doula if I'm having a planned cesarean?

Before a planned cesarean, I will join you upon arrival at the hospital to help you settle in and comfortable, ensuring your questions are all asked and answered. Sometimes it can be quite a while between the scheduled arrival time and entering the operating room. My goal is to keep you relaxed and calm while you wait. If allowed into surgery, I will be there to provide support throughout. I will also stay with you in recovery to help with the initial latch and bonding. Postpartum support for people recovering from a cesarean is essential. You will usually be discharged after only a few days into the care of family and friends who might not know how best to help someone recovering from major surgery. I want you to rest and heal and know that your needs are taken care of so that you can care for your baby. 

Does a doula take the place of my partner?

I encourage partners to participate at their comfort level. I work before the labor to learn what that is and reduce anxiety and build confidence for partners who might feel like they don't know how to help you deliver. My goal at your birth is to complement and strengthen your partner's role. I work in collaboration with them to best support you. If they need or want a break, I am happy to step up. Studies show that partners participate more actively during labor when a doula is present. In combination with your doula's professional expertise, the team creates the very best support system.

What happens if my baby comes early?

I officially go on call for you at 37 weeks. However, once you hire me, I am committed to serving you no matter how early your baby is born.

How does COVID-19 affect placenta pick-up and encapsulation?

Pandemic or not, your placenta belongs to you, not your birth facility. It is your birthright to take your placenta home. I will fight for your placenta if need be. Fortunately, the Modesto area's birth facilities have cooperated with me, my clients/their patients, and I haven’t had to turn anyone down during this time. Keep in mind the $100 deposit is non-refundable. Studies show "All neonatal specimens tested, including in some cases placentas, were negative by rt-PCR for SARS-CoV-2. At this point in the global pandemic of COVID-19 infection, there is no evidence that SARS-CoV-2 undergoes intrauterine or transplacental transmission from infected pregnant women to their fetuses. 

Can I encapsulate my placenta with delayed cord clamping?

Yes!

Can I encapsulate my placenta if I’m GBS+?

ABSOLUTELY! 

Can I encapsulate my placenta if I have a cesarean belly birth?

Yes, Most definitely! Let your medical provider know and the birth team that you will be taking your placenta home at the triage time. You will most likely be asked to sign a waiver form. That’s ok to do so. If your placenta goes through pathology testing in the event, let your birth team know not to use any chemicals on your placenta or be safe to consume.

Can I encapsulate my placenta if  I’ve been diagnosed with gestational diabetes?

Yes, definitely!

Can I encapsulate my placenta if it has meconium on it?

Yes, of course! The meconium is rinsed off. I would recommend using the steaming method to remove as much bacteria from the placenta.

Can I encapsulate my placenta if I’m histamine-intolerant?

As long as you are aware of that, you may experience side effects. There are not enough studies out there to prove otherwise.

How long do my placenta pills last?

Forever, there’s no shelf life! It is recommended not to consume your placenta if you’re in another pregnancy to avoid hormonal interference, possible early labor risk.

What are your safety protocols?

• Safe storage is essential to us. I check the placenta's temperature when picking up and storing it in a dedicated refrigerator with a thermometer; steamed placentas are cooked to an internal temperature of 160 degrees and dehydrated at the same temperature.
• The preparation space and equipment are cleaned with hospital-grade disinfectant before and after the preparation of your placenta. Multiple-use equipment is cleaned and then soaked in a hospital-grade disinfectant and followed by a wash with clean water.
• I use personal protective equipment (PPE): mask, hair covering, gloves, goggles, and apron. 

How do you ensure placentas are not mixed up?

I only ever process one placenta and generally only have one placenta in possession at a time. At all times that your placenta is with me, containers it is in are labeled with your name.

How do I store my placenta until you pick it up?

I schedule pick up 8 am-8 pm most days. Please bring a small cooler and two 1-gallon zip lock bags to double bag your placenta. Nursing staff can supply ice. Please check the ice regularly to ensure proper cooling is maintained in the container. If pick-up is delayed or your hospital requires immediate removal of the placenta, it can be stored in your fridge for 48 hours. Please freeze if it will be with you longer than that.

How many capsules will I get?

I use a "0" size capsule. Most people will get between 150-200 capsules.

What is the suggested dosing for capsules?

Your package will come with suggested usage guidelines. In the University of Nevada Las Vegas study, study participants were instructed to take two capsules, three times a day, for the first four days of the study, and then two capsules, two times a day, for days five through twelve, and then two caps, one time a day, until the end of the study (3-4 weeks postpartum).

When should I alert Doula Bula that my placenta is ready for pick up?

 Text or call when you’ve gone into labor and are admitted or at the birthing facility and again post-birth. Placenta pick-up and delivery times are every day of the week, 8 AM-8 PM. 

When is the earliest I can book? 

As early as you’d like, as long as you pay the deposit and sign the contract. All consultations are free!

When is the latest I can book? 

Please allow one week's notice at the latest before booking placenta encapsulation. This way, I can schedule my week accordingly. Placentas can be frozen for up to 1 year postpartum and placed into the freezer no later than being in the refrigerator or on ice for 48 hours. Understand the benefits may not be as strong after freezing.

How long does it take to process my placenta? 

Forty-eight hours from start to finish. If there are other placentas ahead of yours, you will be notified as I only work on one placenta at a time.  

What are the benefits of placenta encapsulation?

Results may vary, as these are just reported benefits and every BODY is different, placenta capsules have been known to help: 

• Balance hormones
• enhance milk supply
• increase energy 
• combat fatigue

Some other benefits people have reported when ingesting their placenta include:

• quicker healing and recovery after birth
• fewer instances of postpartum depression
• increased iron levels
• shortened postpartum bleeding 

What’s the difference between the steamed method and raw?

The steaming method is steaming your placenta for 40 minutes to “cook” it (removing bacteria) before dehydration (which further decontaminates your placenta), making it safe to consume. The primary method is believed to contain more hormones because steaming removes some of the placenta's nutritional properties. The necessary process may benefit more those who are anemic because raw placentas have more iron than steamed placentas. Iron boosts hemoglobin, thus helping those that experience anemia due to low hemoglobin.

What is the Traditional Chinese Method (TCM)?

If you choose to have the steaming method, you can add TCM, which consists of 3 ingredients: lemon, ginger root, and cayenne pepper. Lemon has vitamin C and helps to aid digestion, ginger root has healing factors to boost your immune system, and cayenne pepper helps to decrease inflammation. All of these three ingredients help to benefit postpartum moms further. 

What can I add to my placenta encapsulation package?

• Umbilical cord keepsake +FREE
• Placenta blood print +$15
• Salve/Balm +$20-$25
• Tincture +$25-30

What are the risks of placenta consumption?

Just like medication, some may experience side-effects with placenta encapsulation. Although placenta encapsulation is not FDA approved, many decide to go through with consuming their placenta because of the many reported benefits from real moms who have tried it themselves!

Is it true that placenta consumption will decrease the milk supply?

As stated earlier, results may vary. It may be for some but not for all. Your placenta contains the hormone prolactin that promotes milk production. An increase in milk supply is one of the main reported benefits! Again, keep in mind results vary for each individual.