The Placenta

The placenta is an extraordinary organ your body grows from scratch. Its sole purpose is to sustain and nourish your baby throughout pregnancy, and it carries a wealth of bioavailable hormones and nutrients that can continue to support you after birth.

Placenta consumption is a well-established postpartum practice across many cultures. Research points to benefits including mood stabilisation, increased milk supply, and faster physical recovery.

Placenta services at Let's Talk Birth are offered by Vera from Mother Birth, who works right here out of our space. Vera brings a grounded, ceremonial approach to her work and prepares each placenta with care, intention, and respect. You can learn more and book directly with her at verathedoula.com/placentaservices.

Vera will arrange collection of your placenta from your home or birthing facility and return your completed capsules or tincture to you within 2 to 3 days, along with a cord keepsake and placenta print.

The Raw Method

It is believed that heat can degrade the hormones and nutrients in placenta tissue, so the raw method involves gently cleaning and slicing the placenta before dehydrating it at a low temperature. This process takes up to 24 hours and aims to preserve as much of the nutritional profile as possible. The dried placenta is then ground and pressed into capsules.

Capsules processed this way are generally good for up to a year when stored correctly. This method is thought to provide a burst of energy and strong hormone stabilisation in the early postpartum period.

Traditional Chinese Method (TCM)

Inspired by traditional Chinese medicine, this preparation involves gently cleaning and steaming the placenta with ginger and lemon before dehydrating and encapsulating it. TCM theory holds that birth leaves the mother in a yin or cold state, and that warming the placenta before processing adds yang energy. The placenta is not cooked through, so its nutrients are retained.

This method is thought to offer a slower, steadier release of energy to support recovery. It typically yields slightly fewer capsules as the placenta reduces during steaming.

Please note: Vera is not a TCM practitioner. This method is inspired by TCM tradition.