Packaging and Transportation
Whether birthing at home or in a hospital, please ensure that your placenta is kept fresh. It can remain at room temperature for 3-4 hours following the birth. After that it should be refrigerated or otherwise kept cool.
If you are practicing some form of delayed cord cutting or lotus birth, ice packs may be wrapped up with the placenta to prevent spoilage. If it is going to be more than 4 or 5 days before the placenta can be prepared, it should be frozen. (A frozen placenta will take somewhat longer to prepare since I prefer to gently defrost it prior to preparation.)
You can prepare your placenta for transport by placing it in a couple of large, freezer strength ziplock bags or in a large plastic tupperware, yogurt or ice cream container, or glass casserole with lid, then into a cooler with ice packs or into a refrigerator.
It is important to note that there may be circumstances under which your placenta can not be used. Significant abnormalities of the placenta may necessitate your doctor or midwife sending your placenta to Pathology for further examination. Other conditions, such as signs of infection during labour, may mean that consuming your placenta will not be beneficial to you. If in doubt I will consult with you before proceeding. It should be possible to claim your placenta after Caesarean surgery. If you are not able to obtain and use your placenta for any reason, I will return your deposit and provide you with some other ideas to support your postpartum recovery.
Please let me know if you have any health concerns which may affect the health of your placenta or the health and safety of anyone who may come into contact with your placenta.