W⋅I⋅S⋅E​  Women Informed, Supported & Empowered
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  • Check You Order
  • Check Your Order Status
  • Jewelry FAQs and Policies
  • Inclusion Shipping Guide

Is placenta encapsulation harmful to infants?

1/28/2019

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Recently there has been quite a bit of buzz about the safety of placenta encapsulation and if it poses a risk to newborns. In 2018, the largest study of its kind was done by UNLV and Oregon State found that mothers who consumed their placentas passed no harm to their newborns when compared to infants of mothers who chose not to do so. This study reviewed over 23,000 birth records and it found no increased risk in three different areas:

• NICU admissions in the first six weeks of life
• Neonatal hospitalizations in the first six weeks of life
• Neonatal/infant death in the first six weeks of life

While this may still remain a controversial topic among medical providers, so many women around the world are experiencing benefits that they attribute to their placenta capsules, including better mood stability, more energy, enhanced milk supply, less anxiety, and overall increased feeling of well-being. While we acknowledge that placenta services may not be for everyone (and that is okay!), there are many women who feel as though these services greatly improved their postpartum experience and are grateful that they were available. We are so thankful for this study confirming the safety of placenta consumption and are hoping that it will help put more people at ease with the process. So, research your specialist to make sure they follow proper safety protocols and enjoy your placenta capsules if you feel as though you may benefit from this service.


Click here to read out FAQs
Click here to read research surrounding placenta services
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Mother's Day Sale!

5/12/2018

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Here is our 2018 Mother's Day Sale!

**TWO SPECIALS**

Buy one keepsake, get one half off OR buy two keepsakes and get one free *sterling silver keepsakes only and the discounted or free one must be equal or lesser value to the one being purchased (but not the sum total of the two keepsakes if purchasing two).

How this will work is you will need to go to www.wisebeginnings.com and add everything you want to your cart and then take a screenshot of that and inbox it to me and I will send you the code for your order. There will only be FIVE of each code available and once they are all used, that's it.

This means that there will be four specials running at once. The Mother's Love Pendant, the Embrace Pendant, and now these two for Mother's Day. This special is active from May 10th until 17th of May, leaving it open for exactly one week. But I will try and keep everyone up to date on how many codes are left.


What are you thinking about ordering?

Free and discounted keepsakes are limited to sterling or stainless steel settings only.  Solid 14kt gold is excluded from this sale.

UPDATE - There are only 2 buy one get one 50% off codes left and 3 buy two get one free codes.  
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It's moving time!

4/9/2018

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Saying goodby to Alaska isn't going to be easy.

For three years we have made this beautiful state our home.  But as with the military life, it is our time to move again.  Luckily, we are going back to somewhere we have been before, and somewhere close to my family, so I expect the transition will go a lot more smoothly than it was adjusting to being so far away.  

With this huge change I wanted to make a blog post that covers everything that is currently going on.  We have had a lot of questions, so I thought it would be simple and easy to have a post that anyone can look at to check.

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Can you still order during the move?

YES!  Please do!  The only difference is that when you order, instead of sending your keepsake item to the address that is usually supplied in the order confirmation, you will notice that there isn't one.  During this period, we ask that you hold onto your items until we have our address and are close to moving in.  We will be in our new house on June 15th, so until then, it's just a waiting game. However, to reward those who are ordering and are being patient, we have THREE giveaways going on during this period.  From March 16th to April 15th, April 16th to May 15th, and May 15th to June 16th, anyone who orders in either of those time periods will be entered to win a $50 store credit for a gift certificate.
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Can you still do payment plans during this time period?

Also, yes!  This is actually the PERFECT time to set up a payment plan.  By the time I am settled into my new home, chances are that your payment plan will be completed, or close to it, so it's almost like you didn't have to wait so long.  If you would like to set up a payment plan, just email me at sarah@wisebeginnings.com and I would love to talk to you about our options.

Will there still be monthly specials going on?

You know it!  We actually have some amazing specials planned for this time period.  We want to make sure that we make up for our absence by suppling you with some pretty fantastic deals.  We actually have TWO Specials right now for the month of April.  One to celebrate my birthday, and the other just for our usual monthly special.  
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Click here to shop our April Rings
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Click here to shop our Maidinthewoods Collaboration
With that being said, we also want to reward those who have shopped with us before.  So we also have a giveaway for you, too!  Head on over to our Facebook page to leave a review, and all reviews entered from April 9th until May 30th with also be entered to win a $50 store credit.  

Now, where are we moving to?  MARYLAND!  We will be coming back to Fort Meade Maryland for at least two years.  I'm so happy to be moving back near friends and family, but it's always nervous to be moving when you run your own business.  Starting back up in a new location is always scary.  But honestly, you all do such a great job and spreading the word about our keepsakes, I'm sure it will be a smooth transition.

​During this time, please be sure to join our V.I.P Group and follow us on Instagram.  Feel free to share our page, tag us on social media, or ask anything you want to know.  We love being able to help our customers get the perfect keepsake that they have been dreaming of.
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Holiday Deadline

9/18/2017

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I know, I know. It's a little early to be talking about Christmas, but last year we had a lot of sad customers who didn't get their orders in on time for the Holiday rush due to ordering late. So this year I am making a better effort to allow everyone ample ordering time. 


If you would like to have a keepsake made for the holidays or want to tell your partner, family members, or anyone about something you have been eyeballing then the deadline to get your orders in is October 30th. After that, I cannot promise that your order will be completed.

I have my September Special running right now with rings that come in a variety of sizes and metal finishes.  Perfect for ordering for the holidays!  There are also some new keychain ideas, urn necklaces, pendants, and more!   So make sure you get your order in on time if you would like a  gift for the holidays!

Warmly,
Sarah Artel - Owner and Artist at W.I.S.E
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Celebrations & Price Changes

5/26/2017

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It's that time of the year! Last June, I started offering Keepsake Jewelry in my business. It has been a year filled with learning, growing, and meeting some amazing people who wanted some keepsakes to help tell a story about something they went through. From birth, breastfeeding, and even loss, I have created keepsakes for many people and I cannot wait to grow more this year.
To celebrate, I am offering everyone a chance to win a $50 gift certificate!
Here are the rules and how to enter. I'm keeping it pretty simple this time.
1 - Join our keepsake group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/wisekeepsake/
2 - Comment on the giveaway post telling me what you would use your gift certificate for.
3 - For an extra entry, add some friends and tag them (PLEASE ask them first. No one wants to be added to a group without permission) on the giveaway post and you will receive an extra entry for each friend you add.  Each separate comment counts as an entry.
4 - On each entry (telling me what you would use your certificate for and adding friends) I will give you a number. At the end of the giveaway on JUNE 15th at NOON AKST, I will disable the comments and run all the entries through a random number generator. I will post who won within one hour of the giveaway ending.
In addition to this, between now and the 15th of June, I will have an open discount for 10% off your entire order for keepsakes. Use code CELEBRATE at checkout to redeem.
All orders will still contribute towards the Service Dog Fundraiser I am currently running, too.
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Keepsake Price Changes

Recently I made some changes to my website that make the ordering process a lot easier on everyone. It has been a huge success and so far everyone is enjoying the new way a lot more.
We are also reaching our One Year Anniversary for keepsakes! Incredibly exciting! I wanted to thank you all so much for helping me reach this milestone, and I can't wait to see what comes next.
Here at W.I.S.E., we strive for affordable and premium keepsake jewelry. I always wanted to be able to offer this at a price range that is obtainable for everyone. This is something that I will always strive for. With that being said, with the recent updates that have been made, and the rising costs of supplies from my own suppliers, on June 5th you will notice a slight price increase in most of the items in the shop. Nothing incredibly alarming, but enough to cover the increase in things I pay for behind the scenes to keep everything running smoothly and keeping everyone as happy as possible.
We are also going to be starting a new Monthly Special where a single item will be showcased and on sale for that month. That way you may be able to purchase your favorite item while it is on sale.
I do hope that this will not be an inconvenience to anyone and that everyone understands. So if you would like to order anything at the current prices, I would do so now. 
I'm also thinking of offering payment plans for those who are interested.

Placenta Services Price Changes

Summer Sale and Price Changes with placenta services! 
Save $20 when you register for placenta services from now until September 29th of this year.

Coming in October there will be a few changes with prices on encapsulation. We will be celebrating our 3 year anniversary for opening our business to provide placenta services. Over the years we have learned more about the placenta, fine-tuned our services, and have gained so much experience since we first started. 

Our prices have been the same since the beginning, even though supply costs have risen, we have added more features to our services (mailing coolers to those who pre-register, goodie bags, flavored capsules upon request), but the time has come that our prices reflect the services being offered.
 
October first, our encapsulation prices will be raised to $200 instead of the current price of $175. If you would like to lock in our current rates, please register now.

Thank you all so much for choosing W.I.S.E. - Women Informed, Supported & Empowered as your placenta specialist! I appreciate it more than you know.
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Service Dog Fundraiser 

Do you know anyone who relies on a service dog? If you do, then you know how important they are to some families. If you don't, then I want to tell you that they can literally be life savers. Especially for children. 
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I have a dear friend who is trying to help raise the money so that her son can get a service dog to help him in his daily life. Peter is a loving, energetic, and happy 4 year old. But he suffers from many allergies that he is constantly at risk of coming into contact with. Peter is also autistic, which means that he has no cognitive ability to understand that there are certain foods that he can't touch or eat without the possibility of anaphylaxis, which he has already experienced a few times in the past few years. 

Any orders placed between May 15th and July 15th of this year, 25% of the proceeds will be donated to Peter's family so we can help him reach his goal. Don't want to order, but want to help contribute? Please visit their go fund me and you can donate there. Any little bit helps. 

Go Fund Me 
https://www.gofundme.com/3esvkaw
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Register For Placenta Services
Shop Keepsake Jewelry
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Deciding Where to Have Your Placenta Encapsulated

2/23/2017

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When considering placenta encapsulation, you have to make a few decisions.  In addition to the preparation method, you also need to decide if you want to have the placenta prepared in your home, or in the home of your trained specialist.  In this blog, we are going to cover the pro and cons of each choice and hopefully make the decision a little easier for you.  Often you will hear that one is superior to the other, but here at W.I.S.E, we leave that decision up to you. 
Benefits of having your placenta prepared in your specialist’s workspace:
-Your specialist will come and pick up your placenta, relieving you of the extra responsibility (unless you choose to drop it off and save some money with our discount program)
-Your home remains your own private space, free of the sounds, smells, and sights of the encapsulation process and your visitors need not know if you choose to keep it secret
-If you have given birth in the hospital, you may likely receive your capsules faster because your specialist will not have to wait to be let into your house
-Bonding with your baby is not interrupted.  The pick-up and drop off process only take a few minutes and then you can get back to everything you were doing
Disadvantages to having your placenta prepared in your specialist’s space:
-Not having full access to your placenta while it is being processed
-Unless your specialist offers to face time or Skype during processing, you will not be able to observe the preparation
-If your specialist already has a placenta currently being processed, your capsules will be delayed until they finish the first one
-Less one on one time with your specialist
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Benefits to having your placenta prepared in your home:
- Being able to observe your specialist’s preservation area and the actual preparation of your placenta if desired
-You remain in possession of your placenta at all times, with certainty that it is yours                                        
–Being able to have more one on one time with your specialist and having the opportunity to discuss encapsulation more in depth with them and any visitors that you may have
Disadvantages to having your placenta prepared in your own home:
- Your kitchen will be dedicated to placenta preparation and will not be able to be used (or at least the portion being used for encapsulation) while your specialist is working
-You are responsible for transporting your placenta from birth place to your home (unless a homebirth is your birth plan) and maintaining a safe temperature for your placenta
-Your placenta cannot be started until someone is able to be there while the specialist works, delaying the process from hours to days, depending on how your birth goes and if there is anyone available to let the specialist into your home and stay for a few hours
​-Your kitchen will need to be adequately cleaned, organized, and have enough space for the processing to begin
-You will most likely encounter the sounds, sights, and smells that come with the processing of your placenta
-If you are uncomfortable with letting people know about your choice to encapsulate, it may be difficult to hide it when they visit your home
-If your specialist is injured in your home, you may be held liable
-During the 12-24 hours that your placenta is dehydrating, you are responsible for making sure the dehydrator is continually working
-Your kitchen will be exposed to your blood-borne pathogens and the strong chemical disinfectants that are used to sanitize the area before and after


​As you can see, there are benefits and draw backs to each choice, but it is important to remember that if your specialist is trained and diligent, then they are following universal protocols for sanitation and preparation.  Knowing this, we know that it makes each space equally safe.  Feel free to ask your specialist questions to make sure they are following all the proper steps to guarantee their safety and the safety of their clients.  Don’t know what to ask?  Read our blog here.
 
The bottom line is this: If you don’t think you can trust your specialist to process your placenta outside of your home, then maybe they aren’t the specialist for you. In this type of work, there needs to be some sort of trust; not blind trust, but trusting in yourself to be able to pick the right specialist for you, and the right place for your placenta to be processed. So what do you think? Which would work for your family? Let us know about any experiences you have had in the past or what you think you would like best.
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A Keepsake For Loss

1/25/2017

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Approximately one in four women experience a miscarriage.  I don’t think anyone is every truly prepared for the emotional toll it can take on you, and some women are turning to keepsake artists to help with creating a remembrance piece for their lost child.  Shawna was expecting her third child when she was told she lost her baby around 17 weeks pregnant.  Two years later, and after the birth of her rainbow baby (and first girl!), she contacted me to help create some keepsakes with some of the extra cremation ashes from her baby. 

I asked Shawna if she would like to share her thoughts and reasoning behind wanting to have her keepsakes created, and she agreed to answer a few questions for me. 
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Cremation ashes vary in shape, size, and color. Shawna chose to add a duo-chrome blue/purple pigment to have added to her keepsakes to customize them a little more.
​What type of keepsake did you order?
I ordered several cremation keepsakes.  A ring, a necklace and earrings with angel wings, two additional pendants, sphere shaped earrings, and a European bead.

What made you want to have this keepsake made?
I wanted these keepsakes made because I had a lot of ashes left over from a baby that I miscarried two years ago that didn’t fit in the urn, so I thought it would be nice to have keepsakes made to do something beautiful with the ashes that had been sitting in my closet for the last two years.
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​What does this keepsake mean to you?
These keepsakes mean so much to me because although I only got to hold to hold my baby for a short time, I now can keep a part of my baby close to me always.

Do you wear your keepsake, display it, or store it for safe keeping?
At this time, I wear the ring all the time, but the other jewelry I only wear when I am away from my baby, because she likes to pull on them.  So, those stay put up, but once she is older I will be wearing those more.
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​It is hard to capture the beauty of these keepsakes in photos. While I know these keepsakes will not stop the heartache that comes with losing a child, I do hope that they will help ease the pain.
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Common placenta encapsulation myths

12/19/2016

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When it comes to placenta encapsulation, you wouldn’t believe some of things I have heard.  Some good and true, but some just simply false and I’m not entirely sure how they got started.  In this blog, I am going to go over some of the most common myths that I hear when it comes to this service and why they are untrue. 

1.  I can’t take my placenta home from the hospital.


I have had people talk about how placenta encapsulation isn’t an option for them because they are having a hospital birth and doctors don’t allow the placenta to be taken home.  While it is rare, there are a select few hospitals that make you jump through hoops to take your placenta home.  However, most of the time it’s as easy as just letting your care provider know you would like to keep it and then they package it up for you.  Otherwise they generally discard it, or put chemicals on it that make it unfit for consumption.  Sometimes they will not be able to release your placenta due to infection or other reasons that make it unsafe to encapsulate, and other times hospitals may have a policy that require the placenta to be taken to pathology for testing, but you can request that they only take a small piece so you can keep the rest for encapsulation.   Talk with your care provider beforehand to make sure they are aware that you want to keep it, and see if they have any specific policy in place for your specialist.

2.  It is only safe to have my placenta encapsulated in my own home.

False.  This is a new one that I’ve been hearing.  Placenta encapsulation is safe if the workspace is clean, disinfected and proper protocols are followed.  This is why it is important to make sure that your placenta specialist is the right fit for you and has been trained in preparing in either your home, or their workspace.  Ask the right questions to ensure that they are doing all the proper things and making this a safe process not only for you, but for the rest of their clients as well.  You can check my blog about questions to ask your placenta specialist here.  From not wanting to explain it to visitors, having a stranger in their home for hours, or even just not wanting the smell that comes with it, sometimes people don’t want the hassle of having it prepared in their home, and that is 100% okay.  You should have the choice about where you want your placenta processed. So, interview some specialists and make sure you find the right one for you.

3.  Placenta encapsulation is a fad only for “crunchy” parents.


I would say it’s more for anyone who wants to take extra care of themselves after having a baby.  While it is considered a more “natural” type of thing, you will find people of all types participating in this practice.  From celebrities like Kim and Kourtney Kardashian, to everyday people like you and me, moms who want to reap the benefits of placenta encapsulation require no labels to have this done for them.  This is also hardly a new fad.  Placenta encapsulation has been around for thousands of years in the practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 


4.  I can’t take pills, so I can’t do placenta encapsulation.


Luckily there are so many ways to have your placenta processed!  Some of the options include: smoothies, tinctures, and even just having the powder in a jar so you can add to your own smoothies.  There are countless ways to use the powder.  Some even make chocolate truffles that are so delicious that you would never guess that placenta was an ingredient!  Ask your placenta specialist about everything they offer and you may just be pleasantly surprised.

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5.  I’m doing cord blood banking so I can’t keep my placenta.

Cord blood banking is an awesome thing to participate in, and the good news is that it doesn’t hinder your ability to take your placenta home.  With cord blood banking, the cord is “milked” of the remaining blood, and this can be done in the room so there isn’t a chance of your placenta being mishandled.  After that, you can just have it packaged up and then it is ready for your specialist!


6.  Placenta encapsulation is cannibalism!

This was actually my husband’s response when I first told him I wanted to encapsulate my placenta after the birth of our second child.  However, encapsulation doesn’t meet the definition of cannibalism. 

noun
1. the eating of human flesh by another human being.
2. the eating of the flesh of an animal by another animal of its own kind.
3. the ceremonial eating of human flesh or parts of the human body for magical or religious purposes, as to acquire the power or skill of a person recently killed.

 
So, since no one is being killed and you aren’t eating the flesh of another person, this isn’t comparable. 


7.  Placenta pills are a magic, cure all for the postpartum period!


Oh, how I wish this was true!  While some people may attribute their amazing recovery to the pills, the fact remains that these pills won’t work the same for every woman.  For some, their recovery will be faster, their milk supply supple, and their hormones will be more stable, leading to less mood swings.  For others, they will barely notice a difference, or their pills will make them anxious and jittery.  I’ve been doing this for two years and I will say that only one of my clients has ever said they didn’t notice a difference, but I would hate for anyone to go into this process thinking that it will “cure” them of postpartum depression and fatigue.  The odds are in your favor of at least one benefit, but results vary from woman to woman. 

Have you heard any crazy things about placenta encapsulation?  While these aren’t all of them, they are the most common.  Let us know in the comments down below!
Register for placenta services here
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Questions to ask when hiring a placenta specialist

10/15/2016

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If you decide, like many others before you, to hire a trained specialist for your placenta encapsulation, it can be a little daunting to know how to hire the right one.  Where do I find one?  How do I know I can trust them?  After all, you only get one shot at getting this done right, so you want to make sure that it is, in fact, done right.  So if you are wondering about how to hire a specialist and want tips for making sure they are a good fit for you, just keep reading our “questions to ask your placenta specialist.”
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  1. Are you trained?  
    This is important.  You want to make sure that the person you choose has been trained to safely work with placentas.  They need to know how to properly transport, prepare, and process your placenta in either their own workspace, or your home.  Also, they need to be trained in the different ways to process the placenta and have the ability to explain the pros and cons of each.  There are many organizations to train with and each has great programs for specialists. Being affiliated with any of these organizations also gives the specialist access to the most recent research and information regarding placenta work. It is also important that they have obtained training for OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens for placenta specialist, and a food handler’s safety card for their state.  
  2. What is your cleaning protocol? 
    Don't ask "do you sanitize your workspace" because they may believe they are, even if they don't.  Open ended questions are best when trying to get clarification on something specific.  According to OSHA, the only way to properly disinfect a workspace and kill blood borne pathogens is with a bleach solution, or other medical grade disinfectants, in the process.  I won't get into the entire details on here (feel free to email me if you want to make sure I follow OSHA protocols) but it is imperative that your specialist isn't using things like essential oils, hydrogen peroxide, and/or vinegar for their cleaning and disinfecting.  This will not kill blood borne pathogens and it puts every client at risk.
  3. Where is your workspace?  Do you only work in a client’s home?  
    A trained specialist should have no issue with either coming to your house for processing, or bringing the placenta back to their own workspace.  This is just a personal preference of you, the client. The most important part is that wherever they work, your place or theirs, that the workspace is properly disinfected, and void of children and pets that may interfere with the area provided.  If you choose your home, make sure the counters are clear of any items (don't worry about disinfecting the area - your specialist will take care of that), and that your sink is cleared of dishes.  If you choose to have your specialist work in their own home, ask if they have a dedicated work space with a separate sink and counters.  This is more ideal because it gives the specialist a place that they can kind of quarantine from any possible disturbances and the everyday traffic that comes with a normal household kitchen.
  4. What type of equipment do you use?
    Your specialist should only be using equipment that is solely for placenta work.  Using a food grade dehydrator with a proper fan (top fan, not bottom) is very important.  An oven just isn't suitable for placenta dehydration because there is poor air flow, which is important for proper dehydration.  We don't want to cook the placenta, only dehydrate it.  Disposable products should be used when necessary (gloves, sponges, scalpels, etc.) and when not possible, the equipment needs to be able to be fully submerged in a bleach solution for disinfection.  So no wood cutting boards.  This also applies to the blender, or grinder used for powdering the placenta.  The blade needs to be able to be fully submerged in the bleach solution.  A simple spraying or wipe down, even with bleach, is not enough for this because of crevices and such.  
  5. Are capsules my only option?
    It may be possible that you don't like taking capsules, or just want to incorporate your placenta into your postpartum recovery another way.  Your specialist should be able to provide your placenta in many options like tinctures, smoothies, or even just the jarred powder for you to add to your own food/drink.  
  6. How do you package your capsules? What are your storage instructions?
    It is preferable for your capsules (also tinctures and salves) to be stored in either an amber or cobalt blue jar to protect it from light damage and include a food grade desiccant pack to deter moisture from humidity.  Furthermore, your specialist should be able to provide storage instructions to help further the life of your capsules and keep them safe from potential spoilage.  Capsules should be stored in a dark cabinet, like vitamins, and not in a refrigerator. Because refrigerators are used daily, the consistent opening and closing of the door can cause temperature changes and increase humidity in the capsule jar. This is something we do not want because it an lead to spoilage and mold growth.  Your specialist should also provide long term storage instructions in the event that you would like to save leftover capsules.
  7. How do I know I am getting my own placenta back?
    If you hire a trustworthy specialist, you shouldn't have to worry about this, but it is good to clarify.  Especially if you desire to have your placenta processed in your specialist’s home.  Be sure to ask how they ensure that you get only yours back. For example, here at W.I.S.E, we only process one placenta at a time.  In the event that more than one client gives birth on the same day, I process the first one entirely before I start on the second one.  I will let my client know that there will be a little additional wait and then give them the option of using another specialist that I trust.  I've never had a mix up, and I never plan to.
  8. Do you have a refund policy?
    It's good to know what type of policy your specialist has in place in the event that your placenta becomes unfit for consumption.  Unfortunately, some circumstances may arise that are beyond your control (uterine infection, care provider taking your placenta to pathology, or even losing your placenta) and you want to know that in the case that services are not rendered, you are entitled to some money back. However, you may not be entitled to a refund if you either just choose not to go through with it after you have the baby, or if the placenta is not handled properly due to not following the instructions provided by your specialist. Most specialists have a non-refundable retainer fee that they keep, but partial refunds in the event of you not being able to use your placenta are perfectly acceptable.  In my contract, I have a section on refunds that explains when they are provided and why.  Don't be afraid to ask about this because it may save you some hassle in the long run.
These are just some of the questions that you may want to ask when looking to hire the right specialist for you.  So make a list and be prepared when interviewing.  Ask around and see if anyone has one they recommend.  There is a great site called FindPlacentaEncapsulation.com where you can look up specialists in your area.  Check and see if they have any reviews on a Facebook page or website.  Don't be afraid to look around.  You only get one placenta after your birth, make sure you trust your specialist.
Click here to read my FAQs and learn more about my policies
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DIY or Hire a Trained Specialist

10/1/2016

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In a previous blog, I talked about some of the reasons why some people decide to have their placenta encapsulated.  After deciding if it is something you want to pursue or not, the next thing you may need to decide is whether you should hire someone or try doing it yourself.  Even as a trained specialist who gets paid by doing this for other people, I recognize that there are pros and cons to each side.  You just have to determine what it is best for you.  So let's just jump into it! 
DIY Pros 
  • Saving money.  If you have the necessary supplies, it is cheaper to do it yourself.
  • Done in your own kitchen and home environment 
  • The empowerment of doing it all on your own *and maybe some bragging rights*
  • Being able to control how it is processed
Pros to hiring a specialist
  • You are hiring a trained professional who knows how to examine your placenta and what to look for.
  • Specialist can begin while you are still at the hospital, birth center, or even home.  You don't have to worry about dealing with trying to process it in time while recovering from birth.
  • Ongoing support.  Your specialist will be there to answer any questions about taking your capsules and troubleshooting anything that may come up.
  • Your specialist knows how to properly disinfect the work area, regardless of if it is in their work space, or yours.
  • You don't have to deal with the mess of cleaning everything before, during, and after the process.  It can get pretty bloody.
DIY Cons
  • Less time spent recovering and bonding with baby.
  • No specific training on what you are doing, or things to look out for that may indicate your placenta isn't fit for consumption.
  • Possibly buying equipment that you will never use again, which may cost just a little less than hiring someone.
  • You only have the one placenta and you run the risk of ruining it, or making mistakes.
Cons to hiring a specialist 
  • The cost of paying someone to process it for you and potentially not experience any of the benefits
  • The possibility of hiring an untrustworthy specialist.
  • Having to give up control of your placenta to someone else
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As you can see, it all really just depends on what you want, and the availability of a trained specialist in your area.  If doing it yourself is something you are interested in, then go for it!  Do some research on proper protocols and make sure you have adequate help with the baby so you don't feel rushed.  Between cleaning, prepping, processing, and cleaning again, you are looking at anywhere from 3-4 hours (not including the time it takes to dehydrate).  Or maybe you will get lucky and your partner will be willing to do all the work for you.  

​
Now you may be looking at the Cons of hiring a specialist and you see "the possibility or hiring an untrustworthy specialist" and your eyes are probably doubling in size.  Unfortunately, it does happen and it's a risk that you need to be aware of.  So, in a future blog I will be discussing how to hire a specialist and questions to ask.
I've had a few different postpartum experiences regarding my decisions about placenta encapsulation.  With my first child, I decided not to encapsulate my placenta.  It was still new to me and to be honest, I thought it was pretty gross.  I ended up having a harder postpartum experience than expected and I ended up regretting not having it done.  Do I know for sure that it would have helped?  No.  But I would have been willing to try anything to make it better the next time.  So, with my second child I decided to give it a shot and I paid my doula, who was a trained specialist, to encapsulate for me.  My experience with it was so great that I decided to get certified so I could also offer this service to women in my area.  After the birth of my third child, I decided to go ahead with encapsulation again, but do it myself this time since I am certified and trained.  I figured I would be able to save some money and make sure it was done right.  And to be honest - I fully regret going the DIY route.  Not because I messed up or wasn't qualified, but because it was the last thing I wanted to be doing.  I should have been resting and bonding with my baby, but instead I was stressing about trying to keep him content and taking frequent breastfeeding breaks while also trying to keep a clean and organized workspace.  I ended up putting it off until the very last minute and I almost just put the placenta in the freezer to do at a later date. 

Although I am done having kids (knock on wood), I would hire a specialist if I ever had more.  The peace of mind that it is in good hands and that I can relax, recover, and bond with my new baby is worth it to me.  However, I would never tell someone that she shouldn't have the right to do it herself, if that's what she wanted to do.  So what do you think?  Have you had your placenta encapsulated and chose the DIY route?  Or did you hire a trained professional that you trusted?  I love to hear about your experiences, so leave them in the comments! ​
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    Sarah is a work at home mom with three beautiful boys, two dogs, and a loving husband.  She is a certified childbirth educator, placenta specialist, and creates custom, high quality keepsakes made from breastmilk, placenta powder, cremation ashes, and so much more.

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