Red Flag! Placenta Encapsulation red flags.

I love Rhett and Link, the YouTube sensations.   My favorite skit by them is “8 Awkward Dating Fails”   I exclaim “Red Flag!” every time I see one.    You definitely need to watch the video.  It’s great and you too will want to yell “Red Flag!” when you see one.     In a perfect world I would make my own parody on Placenta Encapsulation Red Flags but I’m to camera shy so I’m going to write it out.     Watch the video and then read on for “Red Flag!”

Red Flag! #1  Pictures with bare hands and …….

Look around the encapsulator’s website and social media.    Take time to look through videos and pictures.   Things to look out for gloved hands, the cleanliness of the prep area, cross contamination hazards.   If anything looks out of sorts, question it.     Your safety is of the most importance and a good encapsulator will not mind questions.

Red Flag! #2 Misrepresentation

It’s pretty easy to say you are certified and have your food handlers and blood borne pathogen certificates.   All governing bodies give you a certificate at the completion of the course with your name on.    Look for that certificate on their website and if it’s not visible email them to see it.   Again, a good encapsulator will not mind.

Red Flag! #3 Predatory Pricing

This is a tricky one.    Most birth workers try to keep pricing similar, so if you come across someone much cheaper I would consider it a Red Flag! but not necessarily a deal breaker.   Maybe they don’t know pricing etiquette, maybe they do but they want to drive business to them.     My advice here is ask yourself how they can charge less and not cut corners. Pricing should not be your basis on picking an encapsulator.   Knowledge, experience, safety protocols should be tops.

Red Flag! #4 Improper Preparation

They dehydrate at unsafe temperatures.    Please please please do not let someone dehydrate your placenta at anything lower than 160 degrees F.  It is unsafe.  Period.   Also, find out how they dehydrate.   Dehydrating in the oven is NOT safe.

Red Flag! #5 Clear Storage Containers

Again, I don’t think it’s a deal breaker but it’s enough to give you a warning to look around to see if there are other red flags.    It’s not ideal to store encapsulations in clear packaging.   The light can effect the dried placenta.

Have any questions on Red Flags!?     Leave a comment, I’m happy to answer.