COMPREHENSIVE TRAINING AND EXPERIENce

For over 12 years, I’ve proudly served the Seattle/Tacoma area, earning a reputation as a trusted, reliable provider. I follow OSHA and EPA guidelines for handling blood-borne pathogens and food, as placenta encapsulation is a food-handling process—not a sterile medical procedure. All disposable materials are properly discarded, and reusable equipment is thoroughly sanitized before and after each use. You can feel confident knowing your placenta is handled with the highest standards of safety, care, and respect.

Certifications:

Placenta Encapsulation Training and Certification, IPPA – International Placenta & Postpartum Association. Certified in 2013
Advanced Preparation and Postpartum Healing, IPPA – International Placenta & Postpartum Association. Certified in 2013
OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Course, Yearly Renewal, 2024
WA State Health Department Food Worker Exam, Biennial Renewal, 2024
Birth Assistant, NW Birth Assistants, 2013
NRP Certified, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019
CPR Certified, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019
Student Herbalist, currently studying under Aviva Romm, MD., Midwife, Herbalist.

PROPER REFRIGERATION AND TRANSPORTATION PROTOCOLS

Proper refrigeration is essential to prevent bacterial growth during placenta storage and transport. With over 850 safely handled placentas, I bring the experience needed to ensure safe preparation. I also provide everything you need for proper storage and handling, giving you one less thing to worry about.

I ONLY WORK ON ONE PLACENTA AT A TIME

Your safety is my top priority, so I only process one placenta at a time. In the rare event that two clients give birth on the same day, I offer flexible options to accommodate both. I complete the first placenta, thoroughly disinfect, and then begin the second. I limit the number of clients each month to ensure personalized care, and I have a team of experienced backup specialists on standby. My commitment to you doesn’t end with delivery—I'm always here to answer any questions you have about your placenta products.

PREPARATION AREA IS PROPERLY DISINFECTED

I take extra precautions to ensure a safe environment by thoroughly disinfecting my preparation surface with a bleach solution before and after use. The bleach concentration exceeds OSHA guidelines to prevent cross-contamination. After rinsing with clean water to remove any residue, I cover the workspace with food-safe paper as an added barrier for extra protection.

EQUIPMENT IS PROPERLY DISINFECTED

To prevent cross-contamination, I disinfect all equipment after each use, as it comes into contact with multiple clients. My process includes washing everything with hot soapy water, followed by a rinse, then fully immersing the equipment in a 10% bleach solution for 30 minutes. A final rinse with clean water ensures all bleach residue is removed. This process adheres to OSHA and EPA standards, effectively eliminating STIs and blood-borne pathogens. I also replace equipment annually and prefer using disposable products when possible. If you’d like, I can prepare your placenta using your own equipment.

gbs+ and placenta encapsulation: Is it safe?

In September 2016, a baby in Oregon fell ill with an infection caused by Group B Streptococcus (GBS). Despite treatment, the baby became ill again. After investigating, doctors discovered the mother had encapsulated her placenta. Tests on the placenta capsules showed they were contaminated with GBS.

In June 2017, the CDC published a report detailing this case, where blood cultures confirmed the baby had penicillin-sensitive, clindamycin-intermediated GBS. After 11 days of treatment, the baby recovered, but five days later, symptoms returned. A second blood culture confirmed the same results. The mother, who tested negative for GBS at 37 weeks, had consumed the encapsulated placenta. Tests on her placenta capsules confirmed the presence of GBS, but her breast milk tested negative.

This case raised questions about the role of placenta encapsulation in GBS transmission. The CDC warned that while GBS was detected in the placenta capsules, it could not be definitively concluded as the cause of the baby’s illness. They also noted the possibility that family members could have unknowingly passed the infection to the baby. The report suggested that the placenta may not have been heated long enough during encapsulation to kill harmful bacteria. The recommended temperature of 130°F (54°C) for 121 minutes is necessary to reduce bacterial counts, but it's unclear if this standard was met in the case.

Since the mother was GBS-negative and her breast milk tested negative, it’s more likely the baby was colonized by family members, and that the first round of treatment did not fully eliminate the infection.

if I test gbs+, can I still encapsulate?

Yes, you can still safely encapsulate your placenta. A highly trained specialist will ensure your placenta is prepared with the utmost care, reaching an internal temperature of 160°F to guarantee safety. Unfortunately, in the case referenced, the specialist used a range of temperatures which can be insufficient for eliminating GBS.

For clients who test GBS-positive, the recommended preparation method is steaming followed by dehydration. This process ensures the placenta is steamed first, and the internal temperature is carefully monitored to reach and maintain 160°F throughout the entire dehydrating process, typically lasting 24 hours. This is the minimum required temperature to safely eliminate GBS, according to food safety standards.

With over 12 years of experience and more than 850 placentas encapsulated, I take immense pride in providing the highest standard of safety and care. I’ve spent countless hours researching placenta encapsulation, taken numerous specialized training courses, and strictly follow OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens standards (29CFR 1910.1030) to prevent cross-contamination and transmission of bloodborne diseases. Many of my clients have tested GBS-positive, and I ensure their placentas are safely encapsulated with the best practices.