(Yes, do it! No blood is processed, if not in baby it's down the drain!) I have been a long time supporter of Delayed cord clamping dating back to the days you had to fight for it and it didn't really have a name. It had a lot of push back from medical birth teams and was seen as a bit of a "WooWoo hippy" thing. In my professional opinion, it is always best to delay clamping, even when baby is in distress at birth, the cord is suppling your baby with oxygen until it ceases to pulsate, so cutting the cord "because" baby is having trouble, is counter productive, severing them from the perfectly balanced, complete and complex life support. Your baby has a much better chance if the cord is left intact, even for resuscitation! You can ask for this in your birth plan, you can insist this, be sure it is clear that everyone understands before you birth, so they don't clamp and cut it in the heat of an emergency. Discuss your wishes very clearly, they can then be prepared to help your baby if needed, attached to you, beside you, where you can touch and talk to them. It most defiantly is possible, I've seen it done many times. They will often say no, and they will probably give you a hard time and a wad of statistics, but it is your baby and your decision (so do some reading, don't just listen to me). If you choose for baby to stay connected to their own life support, uninterrupted, for as long as you choose, to give your baby time to adjust to arrival in a calm safe manner, then add what you want to your birth plan and insist on it! You might choose just a few extra minutes and then go with what the hospital recommendations are, or to stay connected with minimal external intervention for a set time, have it all written down and discussed ahead of time. This particular blood is unique to this exact time of life, it is very rich and viscous for the first time baby uses all of his systems, senses and reflexes etc, it is all hand in hand with the initial start up of the human body, you need a special fluid to run through first for optimum performance for life! For encapsulation....this unique, nutrient rich, stem cell rich blood, is not going to give my lab drains anywhere near the benefits that it will give your baby! No blood is used in the processing of any of the services offered. (There is plenty of other blood for beautiful prints even with a full transfer to baby)
How many capsules?
Placentas come in many sizes, shapes and thicknesses, It is impossible to know how many capsules one will reap. Under the Birch Tree uses size 0 capsules and the average placenta reaps around 130 -150 capsules. The size of the placenta is the determining factor, usually 1/6th the size of your baby. More placenta, more capsules. When your placenta is weighed before processing, it is in the state it comes to the lab in, with fluids, cord and membranes, so the weight given is not the wet weight of the tissue used to make the capsules, just an insight as to how much placenta weight you were carrying with baby. There can be large differences in placenta size, however Sam believes our body gives us what we personally need for each baby and postnatal experience.
What if I have a special request?
What if I have a special request? If you have any special requests for products or art please don't hesitate to ask, there is nothing too silly on this topic, believe me we have heard all the strange ones, and would love to hear some more! We try our best to accommodate our families requests within health and safety guidelines.
Third Stage - delivering the placenta?
It is ideal to have a natural third stage delivery of the placenta for many reasons, however, it is not necessary for consuming your placenta. If you can avoid a medical third stage, that's great, but if not it is still totally ok!
What if baby needs resuscitation after birth?
I strongly advise looking into Delayed Cord Clamping! Every baby needs this special blood, especially if baby is having some issues or is a little slower transitioning to the outside world after birth. I have witnessed both many times and the babe with cord intact has always had a smoother arrival, not all perfect mind you, but a clear difference is noted. Don't just listen to me, just know it is one of the important ones to learn about. Read this article to put it into perspective https://midwiferytoday.com/mt-articles/neonatal-resuscitation/?fbclid=IwAR2ESAUaKOejvzqs8w0u4WPs42ip55468c9G_ZIaeu-b2wKcAQStVy4_G1Q
Can I have a Water Birth?
Water Births are not contradictions to Placenta Encapsulation. Under the Birch Tree does ask that if possible please birth the placenta out of the birth pool. If not, please have your midwife remove the placenta from the water as soon as it is birthed to avoid any possible contamination issues.
Can I have my placenta made into capsules if I have a Caesarean?
Placenta is ideal for those who have a C/S birth as the capsules can really aid your internal healing and may help with some of the side effects of surgery. note: You will need your midwife to follow our guide lines regarding times and storage. Some hospitals won't allow your container into the theatre, so have them take in your named bags and put it into your container when you get to recovery. Your partner should take your placenta back to your room fridge or cooler as soon as possible.
Home Birth?
When birthing at home, Under the Birch Tree's service is even easier. Have your placenta storage bags and container ready and the Care document printed out for who ever packs it up for you. Once labour begins send a text if possible, when baby and your placenta have arrived have your placenta placed directly into the storage bags and container and into the fridge. You are then free to text when you are ready for collection with in 24 hrs of the birth, let me know a time frame that suits you or that you are ready when I am. There is no rush, enjoy the Magic!
Public Hospital Birth?
When birthing at a Public Hospital, it is important to remember to keep your placenta with you in your room fridge (rare) or in your cooler bag with plenty of ice until collection. Please note that issues sometimes arise and you may not be able to use a fridge, you must have a cooler bag ready and ask for a bag of ice. Please also note that very occasionally the ice machines are out of order and Ice will not be available, taking froze ice bricks with you and having them stored in the hospital freezer can be a safe way to go. Having ice supplied to you can be sometimes be an issue and your partner may need to have someone bring you ice or take the placenta home to a fridge in these circumstances. If you birth at night, your placenta will be collected first thing in the morning, usually around 8-9am, so you must ensure you have a plan ready for over night cold storage. Collection hours are 8am - 5pm year round unless advised.
Birth Centre?
When birthing at the Birth Centre it is important to give as much notice as possible to ensure collection is possible before you leave the hospital. If you birth at night and are heading home before morning you will take your placenta with you in a cooler bag with plenty of ice. Place it in the fridge when you arrive home and text in the morning to arrange collection. Please be aware that you may need to pay a travel fee for collection and delivery to your home address.
Private Hospital Birth?
Birthing in a Private hospital allows you to have your placenta stored in their dedicated Placenta Fridge in the labour ward. It is vital you have your storage container, label attached and completed to avoid mix ups or your placenta being disposed of. You may also use the fridge in your room to store it in if you prefer it close by, ask your Midwife what your options are. As you have a fridge to store safely, there is no rush for collection, text me a time frame you prefer (especially if you need sleep) or that you are ready when Sam is.
Can I Lotus Birth with Placentophagy?
Encapsulation with a lotus birth is very different and not a true lotus birth at all. It is a "partial" lotus birth. There are very strict rules with doing this, there must be controlled conditions. There is to be NO salt or herbs to be put on the placenta, nothing actually, just in a bowl alone until it is time to go into the food safe bags. Below is a brief run down on what's required. You will need a thermal lunch bag with a zipper closing around the top. Two freezer bricks that will fit well into the thermal lunch bag to go on top and bottom. Have a second set in the freezer at all times to swap out. Soon (1-2hrs) after the placenta is birthed, place it into two Ziplock bags and then create a little mini-fridge for it by putting one frozen pack on the bottom of the bag, then the placenta, then the second frozen pack on top, do up the zipper with the cord coming out of the corner of the zipped up bag. You can wrap a flannel around the cord at the exit to buffer the zip and to stop the cold moving up the cord to baby, you MUST check this at intervals. The placenta can be kept this way for a maximum 6 hours never letting the ice melt completely or allowing the cold to run up the cord to baby. As soon as the cord is separated it is ready for collection and processing as normal. Normal Lotus birth without encapsulation explained here. https://www.naturalparenting.com.au/lotus-birth-a-gentle-beginning/
* I am pregnant again, can I take my left over placenta capsules?
Placenta capsules are NOT safe to take while pregnant due to the postpartum hormones that help to contract the uterus and bring it back down to normal size. It could create a miscarriage issue. Once baby is born it is safe to start taking them from day three - five. It is wise to open one up and check for things like mould, sticky or wet powder. It should be slightly organic smelling but not off smelling or offensive. Usually they are perfectly fine kept on the shelf but if you have stored them in the freezer, take your dose straight from the freezer frozen, take one as a test and if no problems like an upset stomach continue at a dose you feel is right for you. If you have any issues when taking them discontinue and discard. Sam is always available for advice!
I would like something to bury?
Under the Birch Tree offers all clients an Earth Pack at no charge. It contains the waste tissue, membranes, and cord (or what every you request) wrapped in baking paper in an energy power pyramid shape and frozen. It is then wrapped in tissue paper and into a raw cardboard tube ready for burial. Remember that the Earth Pack is frozen so delivery may need to be to home.