TCM stands for 'Traditional Chinese Medicine.' This method sees the placenta gently steamed prior to slicing and dehydrating. This method has been used for centuries and it is believed to bring a comforting effect when taking your pills along with the other great benefits to placenta encapsulation. It can also help to eliminate any surface bacteria (including Strep B) that may be present on the placenta.
When will you come to collect the placenta?
As soon as your labour starts and you are officially classed as in 'established or active labour' I ask for you to send me a quick text message to let me know. This allows me to rearrange my schedule to assist you. As this type of service is very unpredictable it is very hard for me to plan ahead, but my priority is providing my clients with the best possible experience that I can. Once your baby has been born and you have had your special bonding cuddles, I ask for you to text me again to let me know that the placenta is ready for collection. I will provide you with an approximate time that I will arrive. Please store the placenta as per the instructions you will receive in your confirmation email upon booking. I will be there to collect as soon as possible but please note I only pick up and deliver during business hours unless previously arranged.
How long will it take to receive my pills back?
My priority is getting your pills back to you as soon as possible. Usually this is before lunch time the morning after pick up, however during busy periods, turnaround times can be up to 48 hours.
Can I still encapsulate if I have Group B Strep?
Yes! Group B Strep is a common bacteria sometimes found in the vagina and rectum of many women. Although it is very common it can cause breathing difficulties in the newborn if the bacteria is passed onto the baby during birth. Most women will be tested for GBS at their 36 week check-up. A swab is taken from inside the vagina and sent to pathology to be tested. You will be advised if you are GBS+ and will be offered antibiotics during labour which will help prevent the bacteria from being passed on to the baby during birth. Many women test GBS- at the 36 week check but can actually be GBS+ at the time of birth so these women can fly under the radar. It is perfectly safe to encapsulate if you are GBS+ as the wet heat from steaming is effective at eliminating this bacteria.
What is the recommended dosage once I receive my pills?
I suggest my clients start with two capsules per day taken with breakfast at least for the first 2 weeks post birth. After that, you may choose to reduce the number of pills you take to one per day, or continue to take two per day until they're finished. There is no right or wrong and I recommend women listen to their bodies and adjust their dosage as needed.
How many pills will I receive?
As every baby is different, so is every placenta. They come in all different shapes and sizes! Because of this I am unable to say how many pills your placenta will yield, however the average number of pills for an average sized placenta is around 100-120.
I'm having more than one baby! Does that mean I have to pay double or triple or...?
No way! I don't charge any extra for multiple births as long as you are ok with having the placentas (if there is two or more) processed together. If you would like the placentas processed separately (if this is possible) there is a surcharge of $50 per additional placenta just to cover the extra time this takes.