Frequently Asked Questions
If your placenta is not refrigerated quickly after the birth and is allowed to sit out at room temperature.
If your placenta is taken to pathology to be tested or examined.
If you have a lab-confirmed case of chorioamnionitis.
If you have hepatitis or HIV/AIDS (the hospital will typically refuse to release your placenta).
If your placenta has been in the refrigerator for longer than 4 days.
Situations that do not necessarily contraindicate encapsulation:
Group B Strep – there has been a recent report by the CDC that a mother’s capsules tested positive for group B strep after preparation with the raw foods method. If you are GBS positive it is recommended that you prepare the placenta using the Gentle Method (also called TCM). Please wash your hands after handling your capsules.
Meconium staining – As long as there isn’t also a uterine infection we can still encapsulate. The top layer of the placenta can be peeled away and the rest thoroughly rinsed.
Fever in labor – There are many reasons why a woman might run a fever during labor and not all of them are contraindications to encapsulation. We will ask questions to find out if it is appropriate in your case.
Long labor or long rupture of membranes – This by itself isn’t a contraindication but you may be more prone to infection so we will ask screening questions during pick up.
Definitely not contraindicated: gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, cesarean, induction, epidural/spinal, magnesium sulfate, antibiotics, IV narcotics, cord blood banking