Strict Guidelines

Under the Birch Tree adheres to strict Australian Government Standards regarding Blood-borne pathogen transmission / infection prevention and standards for safe food handling, storage and transport.
A professional, placenta specific, Food Safety Management System is used for every service. 
Your personal process is carried out in a dedicated placenta specific work space, the "Lab".
All equipment and work spaces are thoroughly sanitised before and after each use.
Most supplies used are disposable, one use and all equipment meets food grade standards.
Only ONE placenta is processed at a time, if there is more than one placenta in our care it is stored with label attached in our dedicated placenta fridge in the lab until the previous placenta is completed and full sanitation is complete.
Thorough record-keeping, at every stage of the process, from collection to delivery and everything in between.

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​​Why choose Under the Birch Tree
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"Sam is the one other birth professionals call when they need advice!"

Samantha Birch has 17 years' experience with over 2500 placentas; she is the first Australian Placenta Encapsulation business owner and the first trainer/educator. Sam is called upon by birth professionals for technical placenta advice, identification and troubleshooting; her knowledge is an asset to our community. Sam is fully certified with IPEN in theory and practical training for the title of Placenta Remedy Specialist and also the title of IPEN Placenta Remedy Training Instructor (past). She has also been a professional birth and postpartum doula for over 30 years.
Sam began working with folk placenta remedies for many years prior to official training with IPEN, Samantha immediately became their Australian trainer when offered the position. Sam was the only licensed and certified trainer residing in Australia for many years, training many women in person around the country.
Due to unavoidable life circumstances, Sam no longer instructs for IPEN, though she still regularly mentors her many students and others around Australia and internationally.
In 2019 Sam was appointed Chairperson of 'Placenta Services Australia Ltd'. The 'Placenta Medicine' industry is unregulated by the Australian Health Department; the reason PSA offered private regulation of placenta services across Australia, bringing the new industry to a very high standard internationally, with continuous mentoring for members to ensure quality support for all practitioners and safe services for their clients. Sam was an Executive and Mentor member from the foundation, working on the committee for the life of Placenta Services Australia as state representative before becoming chairperson. 

PSA began with a small group of Australian women, including Sam, that saw a need to keep Australian placenta services professional and safe on a national level, and they created Placenta Services Australia Inc.
A world-first and world-class incorporation. 
​Placenta Services Australia incorporated was established to:
i. To maintain the integrity of our work in relation to placenta processing.
ii. To create community through sharing of knowledge and experience.
iii. To maintain the highest professional standards for practitioners.
iv. To provide a viable set of standards and a code of ethics for Australian placenta specialists.
v. To develop a benefit package for members which includes a members directory and practitioner discounts. 
vi. To provide a collective voice to negotiate with government and other professional organisations on matters regarding placenta processes.
vii. To provide consumers with information allowing them to advocate for their rights in regard to keeping their placenta.

Sam served as the Chairperson & State Representative as well as National Practitioner, Mentor and Trainer, collaborating with the other committee members for many years to support other Australian Placenta Specialists in achieving leadership in their field.
Australian families already have the benefit of living in one of the safest places in the world to use placenta services and we would like to think it is because this industry has solid foundations here in Australia thanks to these women. 
Sam's vast knowledge, experience and extremely professional service comes highly recommended by our public and private hospitals, midwives, obstetricians, birth workers and many other pregnancy, birth & postpartum practitioners right here on the Gold Coast, around Australia and internationally. 

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How to make your Booking

After completing your research and making and deciding to encapsulate your placenta, you can proceed by filling out the online enquiry form on the contact page. You will receive an email with availability confirmation and booking password.  
A deposit of at least $100 is required to secure your booking. As space fills quickly, it is recommended to complete this step promptly to maintain your reservation.
With 17 years of experience and a perfect record of positive feedback, Sam is highly esteemed for her unique and high-quality services.
Send an enquiry from the Contact page requesting booking information along with any questions you may have to ask.

1. Enquire about availability around your due date.
2. Use the password given to complete your oder and pay your holding deposit.
3. Receive a confirmation email with further information to prepare you for birthing your placenta.

Last minute bookings are very welcome, sometimes you don't know you want to use your placenta until your     birthed. Everyone is welcome to this service, please note that a $20 fee will be added to your total, which accounts for the the adjustments required to accommodate your booking in a timely manner. ​
Under the Birch Tree encourages families to educate themselves and will happily respond to all of your questions.
Fully certified and experienced as a Birth and Postnatal Doula and Mum for 32 years, Sam is available to Placenta clients for free birth/postpartum/parenting advice and referrals. 

Do you or anyone in your family have a health issue, disease or disorder?
Your placenta possesses significant healing properties, Please send Sam your details to explore potential options. 
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Under the Birch Tree Families are cared for in a Nurturing, Professional, Safe and Discreet manner. 

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​Third Stage-Placenta Birthing Advice

It is now known that babies are born with 32% of their blood in the placenta and cord. This extra blood is thick and rich and is very important to the initial development of baby. The baby can access this blood easily by simply leaving the cord be after birth and NOT placing a clamp on it until it ceases to pulse, or even better, until the placenta is birthed. 
The cord will pulse until the transfusion to baby is complete... this is a natural process that takes a few minutes.  
Your baby then has all of his thick rich blood to begin life in the best possible way a human baby can. His natural life support system is active until the cord stops pulsing. 
PROTECT THE CORD IF BABY IS HAVING TROUBLE!   
If your baby has not initiated breathing, or had a rough birth, the likely first reaction hospital staff will do is clamp and cut the cord and separate the baby from her life supporting placenta and mother (with in 5-20 seconds from birth at times).
This is Less than Ideal, ​the baby is born attached to her own life support system, cutting it off and removing her from her mothers touch can be detrimental to the babies outcome. 
Resuscitation should always be done with the cord attached, continuing the support from the placenta and beside the mother so she can touch her. It has been proven that babies do better with skin to skin contact with their mother in almost all situations.
There is evidence that a new baby's circulatory system adjusts rapidly to the volume and viscosity increase in their blood system by increasing fluid extravasation and dilation of the blood vessels. Haematocrit makes the blood thicker and stickier and is the natural way to prevent bleeding in new borns, questioning the need for the controversial Vitamin K. It is advisable to research this topic before birth. There are some links below to inform yourself about this simple, vital step and to add it to your birth plan.
Is a natural third stage with delayed cord clamping needed for encapsulation? 
No it is not, but that blood sure is better in your baby than it is down our lab drain and waste bins!
Delayed cord clamping and a natural third stage allows the placenta to transfuse the blood into the baby leaving it smaller and easier for the mother to expel.
Even though synthetic syntocinon is not a contradiction, it is ideal to have the least amount of drugs as possible.

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On call for you from two weeks prior to your EDD

PLEASE NOTE: As birth is unpredictable there's always a chance of delay in collection of your placenta or of the delivery of your package. If unforeseen circumstances arise and Sam is not available, you will be priority and will be looked after in the best way possible by a trained back up or you will be given instructions to store your placenta. It is your responsibility to ensure these guidelines are upheld for your own safety.
Under the Birch Tree has excellent back up specialists that will complete your service exactly as Sam would in her absence. 
Illness, injury and family matters do happen in life and are at times unavoidable, we hope you can understand.

If you have made a booking and decide not to go ahead, or your placenta has been classed as unfit, please remember I am on call for you and I am waiting for your good news. Please let Sam know asap that you have birthed even if you won't be using the service.

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Collection of your placenta

Depending on the time of day or night you birth your placenta, it is collected asap, usually with in the hours of 8am and 7pm. Once in the care of Under the Birch Tree the process begins asap.  
Your package is returned to you roughly the following afternoon, 24-48hrs after collection.
Placenta Remedies & Art including Tinctures, Creams, Balms, Paintings, Photos and Dream Catchers, take more time and will need pick up/delivery options considered and locked in on booking.
An information brochure accompanies capsules and tinctures with an example dosage/usage on the label.
Sam is  available to you 100% via phone/text/email should you need ANY advice or have ANY questions while taking your capsules or remedies.