Learn ALL about Placenta Encapsulation

Valentina Birth, Etc. is committed to excellence in service. That means I'm serious about doing my absolute very best to make sure your experience with me leaves nothing to be desired.

Placenta encapsulation is $200 and when you work with me you also get:
  • an in-person visit when I drop off your finished capsules so you can get the answers you need immediately, in a face-to-face visit, from a birth & baby expert. 
  • text/email support well after I've gone so when those middle-of-the-night questions come up, you know you can trust a professional to respond timely-ish (I do sleep every now and again and am happy to respond once I wake).
  • peace of mind in knowing that I am just one person - not some placenta factory with a production line! It's just me, taking care and precautions as if it were my own placenta.

What my clients are saying:

"I was skeptical about placenta encapsulation. I called Angie to ask some questions and she answered everything. She took the time to tell me exactly what to expect from her, the process, the hospital, and everything. She was quick to pick up my placenta and quick to return my pills. For future babies I will only work with Angie! (So don't move, okay?!)" ​​
I had my encapsulation done by the wonderful, Angie Valentin! She was trustworthy and very informative. She picked up the placenta from John Muir, and delivered my pills quickly to my home! She is also a doula and helped answer many of my questions concerning myself,baby, and feeding. Greatest experience and great results!

What is placenta encapsulation?

Placenta Encapsulation is the process of dehydrating your placenta, grinding it into powder form and then putting the fresh grounds into capsules.

Why should I encapsulate my placenta?

Placenta encapsulation is made perfectly for you by your own body, contains your own natural hormones and is believed to alleviate the discomforts of just having had a baby. Here are some noteworthy benefits:

  • Helps provide balance for your ever-changing body.
  • Replenishes your body's much needed iron.
  • Boosts your energy level and motivates you to 'have a day'.
  • Decreases postpartum bleeding.
  • Amplifies milk production and supply so you can get a great start on confidently breastfeeding.
  • Decreases anxiety & sadness.
  • Fights off the baby blues which can lead to postpartum depression.
  • Helps uterus return to pre-pregnancy size.
  • Promotes postpartum healing and recovery so you can focus on all things new-baby.
  • Can make for an easier transition into menopause as the capsules do not expire (if kept cool and dry).

What's included?

  • Placenta pick up within 24 hours of birth when notified promptly 
  • Processing in my kitchen or yours
  • Processing in the method of your choice (TCM, Raw or both)
  • Capsules (vegan, kosher, size 0)
  • Supplies to clean and disinfect all reusable equipment 
  • Jar with recommended usage information and safe keeping tips
  • Umbilical cord keepsake
  • Returning your encapsulated placenta within 72 hours of pick up
    (Guaranteed only to those who place a deposit at least 2 weeks before their due date and reside within my specified service area. Families who reside outside of my service area are not guaranteed returned capsules within 72 hours, and will not have in-person delivery. Instead, out of service area families will have capsules shipped via USPS Priority 1-3 day delivery at no additional cost.)
  • All reusable processing equipment (grinder, dehydrator, knife, capsule machine) and one-time-use disposable supplies (cutting board, gloves, mask, sponge) as well as the supplies to clean and sanitize per OSHA's standards.

You get ALL of this, plus in-person delivery for only $200! With as little as $50 to hold your due date on my calendar, you won't have to worry about paying the balance until I pick up your placenta after baby is born. 

*With many thanks to the kind folks over at Doulaville.com, as well as many happy clients who donated to the cause, we are able to offer discounted services to low/no-income families. Depending on eligibility, you could qualify for a discount. Please contact me for more information. 

How is my placenta processed into pills?

Your placenta is rinsed, sliced, then placed on the dehydrator for  several hours. Once it is completely dehydrated, the placenta pieces are ground into a fine powder which is then used to fill capsules.

Two Placenta Processing Methods

Placenta processing for encapsulation can be done in either or both of the following methods:

  • Traditional Chinese Method (TCM) – In this method, your placenta will be steamed with fresh organic ginger and lemon before dehydrating. This is to enhance its warming properties and help your body use the beneficial properties of the placenta in a deeper way. This method also kills bacteria and reduces risk of spoilage. However, there is concern about the degradation of the hormones when cooking the placenta. Additional herbs or foods may be used in the steaming process. 

  • Raw Dehydrated Method – This method involves slicing the placenta while fresh and raw and dehydrating it immediately. Clients who choose this method consistently report increased energy and motivation as one of the benefits. It is widely held that the hormones are more likely to be bio-available when the placenta is processed raw, that is, without being steamed prior to dehydration.

* I will NEVER add anything to your placenta capsules, even if you ask really nicely with a cherry on top! Even with the TCM method of steaming with lemon and ginger, the finished capsules ONLY contain placenta. The lemon and ginger is discarded. Valentina Birth, Etc. does NOT add herbs or anything else to your capsules. Ever.

What are you doing to make sure my placenta isn't contaminated?

Valentina Birth, Etc. has successfully completed:
  • safe handling of infectious diseases and bloodborne diseases training per OSHA's standards.
  • food-handlers training per state requirements for anyone handling consumables.
I also:
  • am extremely careful, safe and experienced in handling, storing and processing placentas, as well as cleaning and disinfecting the equipment we cannot dispose of.
  • wash everything (including hands) with hot soapy water before and after every use.
  • use 3% and 8% bleach solutions for disinfecting.
  • dispose of other supplies as they are intended for one-time-use only.

WAIT! Why do we disinfect and not sanitize? Discover the difference here.

Storing your placenta pills:

Your placenta pills should be kept in a dark, cool and dry place. We suggest keeping your placenta pills in the amber jar we package them in and the whole jar kept in the freezer. Kept cool and dry, placenta pills will not expire however their potency may decrease over time. ​

Getting your placenta ready for pick up:

Picture
Your freshly born PLACENTA should be kept very cool at all times.
  1. Pack a cooler and gallon sized zippy bags. 
    ANY ole cooler is just fine for the job but here is a little more guidance:
    Your cooler should be big enough to fit at least a six-pack of whatever you like six of.
    You can find a disposable foil cooler at the Dollar Tree for $1, or Winco for $2-5 (they have 2 sizes); styrofoam cooler for about $5-10 at places like Walgreens or Rite Aid, or Winco; soft-sided and hard-sided coolers for $12+ at Target, Walmart, etc. 
    You can request to borrow MY cooler.
  2. Place ice in the gallon sized bags and place around the container holding your placenta. DO NOT place ice directly on/in with the placenta. 
  3. Communicate to me that you are ready for me to pick up your placenta and I'll be on my way shortly.
​
Your placenta can be kept in the fridge for 2-3 days. For longer storing needs, please place your placenta in the freezer. 

Placenta Safe Keeping Quick Reference:
Room Temp - up to 3 hours   
On Ice/ In Fridge - up to 3 days   
Freezer - 4 days to 6 mos household (longer if industrial)

Home Births & Placenta Pick Up

Easy! Just put your placenta in a container (pie pan, casserole pan, mixing bowl) or zippy bag, then place it in the fridge. Call/text/email to let me know you're ready for me to pick up, and I'll be there quick-like with a cooler to transport your placenta. 

I will pick up your placenta within 24 hours of when you notify me. Once I pick up your placenta, the remaining balance is due so be sure to have a check, card, or cash ready. ​

Birth Center Births & Placenta Pick Up

Easy! Just put your placenta in a container (pie pan, casserole pan, mixing bowl) or zippy bag, then place it in the fridge or a cooler. Your midwife will likely pack up your placenta for you. I suggest double-bagging in zippy bags to prevent leaks. A smaller cooler (like lunch box sized) easily holds a placenta in a zippy bag and another bag of ice. Call/text/email to let me know you're ready for me to pick up once you're home and settled, and I'll be there quick-like with a cooler to transport your placenta. 

I will pick up your placenta within 24 hours of when you notify me. Once I pick up your placenta, the remaining balance is due so be sure to have a check, card, or cash ready. 

Hospital Births & Placenta Pick Up

Your freshly born PLACENTA should be kept very cool at all times.
  1. Pack a cooler and gallon sized zippy bags. 
    ANY ole cooler is just fine for the job but here is a little more guidance: 
    Your cooler should be big enough to fit at least a six-pack of whatever you like six of. This is because the hospitals use different sized bulky plastic containers. Some are as large as a family-size lasagna pan while others are the size of a quart of ice cream.
    You can find a disposable foil cooler at the Dollar Tree for $1, or Winco for $2-5 (they have 2 sizes); styrofoam cooler for about $5-10 at places like Walgreens or Rite Aid, or Winco; soft-sided and hard-sided coolers for $12+ at Target, Walmart, etc. 
    You can request to borrow MY cooler.
  2. Place ice in the gallon sized bags and place around the container holding your placenta. DO NOT place ice directly on/in with the placenta. 
  3. Communicate to me that you are ready for me to pick up your placenta and I'll be on my way shortly.
I will pick up your placenta within 24 hours of when you notify me. Sometimes, hospital policy prevents me from coming up to your room to pick up your placenta. Please be prepared to send your partner down to the main entrance to meet me. Once I pick up your placenta, the remaining balance is due so be sure to have a check, card, or cash ready. 

Dropping off your finished placenta pills:

Once your placenta is picked up, processing could take 1-3 days to complete. Pick up and drop off is typically between 9am - 2pm, and 7 - 9pm Monday through Friday, and 9am - 9pm Saturdays and Sundays. This schedule was created with hospital's visiting hours as well as rush hour commuter traffic times in mind. 

What if my baby is born in the middle of the night?

You are more than welcome to text or email me when your baby is born - at ANY time of day or night however the fee for placenta encapsulation does NOT include middle-of-the-night pick ups. I apologize for the inconvenience. Please contact me so we can discuss your middle-of-the-night concerns and see if there is something I can do to alleviate them. 

Holiday Births

If your due date falls in/around the following HOLIDAYS please be advised there will be no placenta pick ups, processing or capsule drop off unless other arrangements are made on the following days:

Thanksgiving  (November 25, 26, 27)
Christmas  (December 23, 24, 25, 26)
New Years  (December 31 and January 1)

Who will pick up/process/drop off my placenta?

Your placenta will be picked up and processed by a trained and experienced placenta encapsulation specialist... Me!
Valentina Birth, Etc. aims to provide efficient, seamless, quality birth support services. Our goal is to get your finished placenta capsules back to you ASAP. Working as a team allows us to:
  • pick up your placenta quicker
  • begin processing your placenta sooner
  • never have more than one placenta in our possession at any given time.
Each of the Valentina Birth, Etc. Placenta Encapsulation Specialists are trained, and experienced in the processing, handling, and safe keeping of your placenta. Trainings include: 
  • placenta processing
  • placenta anatomy
  • OSHA safe handling of bloodborne pathogens
  • business etiquette
​Meet the Placenta Encapsulation Specialist of Valentina Birth, Etc.

Research, Studies, and Surveys on Placentophagy (that is, preparing the placenta for consumption)

Reserve Your Due Date
Hi, I'm Angelina Valentin and I'm so glad you found me! I'm the Placenta Encapsulation Specialists (PES) of Valentina Birth, Etc., right here in Roseville, CA. For the past 10+ years I have been dedicated to helping women find confidence and feel well-supported as they transition into new-baby-dom. That's right. I help people like you do something like this - and I LOVE every minute of it! ​
Placenta Encapsulation pills in Sacramento, Carmichael, Citrus Heights, Roseville, Rocklin, North Highlands, Antelope, Auburn, Lincoln, Orangevale. Placenta Encapsulation pills for Kaiser South Sacramento, Sutter General Hospital (L Street, Sacramento), Sutter Memorial Medical Center (New) Women's and Children's Center (F Street, Sacramento), Mercy Hospital Folsom, UC Davis Birth Center, Sutter Davis Medical Center Davis, Sutter Roseville Medical Center, Kaiser Roseville Medical Center, Sutter Hospital, as well as The Birth Center (The only freestanding, midwifery-operated birth center in Sacramento area),  and all home births.  Placenta Encapsulation has not yet been evaluated by the FDA although research and unofficial studies have been done. Those who choose to encapsulate their placenta take full responsibility for their own health, education and research on placentophagy. Placenta processors are not medical care providers claiming encapsulation can treat, cure, or prevent any disease. ​