FAQs

when do i reserve your services?

I recommend securing your spot as soon as you’ve decided I’m the right specialist for you. However, you can still sign up after your baby is born if space is available. By signing up in advance, you'll enjoy a quick turnaround time of 48 hours. Additionally, if you sign up at least three weeks before your due date, you'll receive a personal transportation kit, which includes a cooler and pre-labeled food-safe bags for safely storing and transporting your placenta.

To reserve my services, simply pay the deposit and submit your agreement form online. Once I receive both, I’ll confirm your reservation via email and send detailed instructions—everything from notifying your care provider to how to contact me when your baby arrives.

I AM DUE ANY DAY, IS IT TOO LATE TO sign up?

It’s never too early or too late to sign up! For a quicker response, feel free to text me. If I’m available, I’m always happy to accommodate last-minute clients. Even if you've already given birth, as long as you can refrigerate or keep your placenta on ice, it’s still safe to encapsulate.

how many capsules will i receive?

The number of placenta capsules you’ll receive depends on the size of your placenta, as each one is unique. Generally, a larger baby and placenta result in more capsules. On average, you can expect to receive between 90 and 150 size 0 capsules.

when is it Not safe to encapsulate my placenta?

Placenta encapsulation is not recommended if you have HIV, Hepatitis A, B, or C, or a confirmed diagnosis of chorioamnionitis.

To ensure safety, the placenta must be refrigerated or placed on ice within 4 hours of birth. If it has been stored in the refrigerator for more than 4 days, it is no longer safe to encapsulate.

In some cases, your care team may need to examine the placenta. While routine pathology is uncommon in our area, you can request that only a small sample be taken so the rest remains with you.

Circumstantial Situations:

Experiencing a fever during labor, prolonged labor, or extended rupture of membranes doesn’t automatically rule out placenta encapsulation. I recommend following your care provider’s guidance—if they approve the release of your placenta, encapsulation is still possible.

The following situations do not affect your ability to safely consume your placenta, and encapsulation is still an option:

Induction
Cesarean birth
Delayed cord clamping
Cord blood donation or banking
Gestational diabetes
Group B Strep (GBS+)
Pre-eclampsia
Meconium staining
Epidural or spinal anesthesia
Use of magnesium sulfate, antibiotics, or IV narcotics
If the placenta was frozen

If you have questions about your specific medical situation, feel free to reach out—I'm happy to help.

do you pick up the placenta? HOw does this process work?

When you’re in early labor, feel free to send me a quick text to give me a heads-up. Once your baby is born, please notify me again by text, and I’ll arrange to pick up your placenta from your place of birth—typically within a few hours.

If your baby arrives overnight, I’ll provide you with simple storage instructions, and I’ll pick up the placenta the following morning. You’re welcome to text me anytime, even during the night; I’ll respond as soon as possible in the morning. My standard pick-up hours are 7 AM to 7 PM (sometimes later if I am able).

As long as the placenta hasn’t been frozen, your encapsulation package will be completed within 48 hours. Once finished, I’ll deliver your products directly to your home using your choice of USPS Priority or UPS Ground. You’ll also have the option to request a signature upon delivery.

do i need anything?

No need to bring anything—I’ll provide everything you need to safely handle and store your placenta, as long as you sign up at least three weeks before your estimated due date.

Your placenta transportation kit includes:

A labeled, food-safe bag for your placenta
A second bag for double-bagging to prevent leaks
Two additional bags for ice
An insulated, soft-sided cooler to keep everything safely stored

The kit is for your personal use, and the cooler is yours to keep.

any chance of a mix up?

With over 12 years of experience and more than 850 placentas safely processed, I follow a strict, well-documented protocol to ensure the highest standards of safety and care. Each client is assigned a unique ID, and every step of the process is clearly labeled to eliminate any risk of mix-ups or cross-contamination. I process only one placenta at a time, and in the rare event that multiple clients give birth on the same day, I have clear protocols in place to maintain safety and integrity. To further ensure personalized care, I limit the number of clients I accept each month.

after I sign up, what do i do next?

Once your deposit and client agreement form are submitted, your spot on my calendar is officially reserved. You’ll receive a confirmation email with all the details you’ll need for when your little one arrives. If you have any questions at any time, I’m always just a message away and happy to help.

will the hospital / my care provider know what to do?

Yes! Most hospitals and birthing centers in our area are familiar with the process of releasing the placenta. I recommend letting your care provider know in advance that you plan to keep it.

I’ll provide you with everything you need to safely store and transport your placenta. Your hospital staff or home birth midwife will help by double-bagging the placenta and providing ice. Once it’s on ice and you’ve had a moment to settle in, just send me a quick message to arrange pickup—I’ll take care of the rest.

what if my baby comes early or late?

I currently accept only 5–8 clients per month, booking based on estimated due dates—much like a care provider would. This allows me to give each client the dedicated time and attention they deserve. I offer my services 365 days a year, so whether your baby arrives early or late, I’m available to support you.

In the rare event that I’m unavailable, I have trusted backup specialists with the same high level of training and experience ready to step in. In over 12 years of serving families, I’ve only needed to call on a backup three times—a testament to my reliability and commitment.

where is your workspace?

Placenta preparation takes place in a private, dedicated workspace in my home—completely separate from my family kitchen. The area is smoke-free, pet-free, and scent-free to ensure a clean, controlled environment. I follow a strict protocol and process only one placenta at a time. In the rare instance that multiple clients give birth within a 24–48 hour window, I offer flexible options so each family can choose how they'd like to proceed. This level of care is one of the reasons I limit the number of clients I accept each month.

how do i choose the best preparation method for me?

I’ve been offering placenta encapsulation services since 2013 and have gathered valuable feedback from the hundreds of families I’ve served. While both preparation methods offer similar benefits, many clients report increased energy and improved milk supply more frequently with the Simply Dehydrated method. In fact, 92% of my clients choose this option, which aligns with USDA guidelines for safe meat preparation.

That said, if you follow Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) principles or prefer a warming preparation method, the Steamed & Dehydrated option may be the right fit for you—it’s inspired by time-honored TCM practices.

what areas do you service?

My service areas include (but are not limited to): Seattle, Tacoma, Auburn, Bainbridge Island, Bellevue, Black Diamond, Bonney Lake, Bothell, Bremerton, Buckley, Burien, Carnation, Covington, Duvall, Eastside, Enumclaw, Fall City, Federal Way, Fife, Graham, Gig Harbor, Hobart, Issaquah, Kent, King County, Kirkland, Lakeland Hills, Lake Tapps, Lakewood, Maple Valley, Mercer Island, Mill Creek, North Bend, Olympia, Orting, Pierce County, Preston, Puget Sound, Puyallup, Ravensdale, Redmond, Renton, Sammamish, Shoreline, Snoqualmie, South Hill, Spanaway, Steilacoom, Sumner, and Tukwila.

The birth locations I serve (but not limited to): Center for Birth, Eastside Birth Center, Evergreen Hospital, Good Samaritan Hospital, Highline Medical Center, Home Birth, Lakeside Birth Center, Madigan Army Medical Center, MultiCare Auburn Hospital, Northwest Hospital, Overlake Hospital, Providence Everett Hospital, Puget Sound Birth Center Kirkland, Puget Sound Birth Center Renton, St. Elizabeth Hospital, St. Francis Hospital, St. Joseph Medical Center, St. Joseph Midwifery Birth Center, Swedish Ballard Hospital, Swedish Edmonds Hospital, Swedish First Hill Hospital, Swedish Issaquah Hospital, Tacoma General Hospital, The Birthing Inn, UW Medical Center and Valley Medical Center.