How We Work Together
During Pregnancy - Preparing
~ Provide your blood work with HIV and Hepatitis B (this may show up as HBsAg or HbSAg on your lab work) status to Mile High Placenta. These tests are typically performed in the panel done in early pregnancy. A screenshot from your patient portal is often the easiest way to get this to me.
~ Many birth places also require Hepatitis C to release your placenta. Please ensure they have these results if needed; it takes 3 days for the test.
~ Discuss your intentions to keep your placenta with your care provider and birth place. You may want to include your wish to keep your placenta in your birth plan.
~ Please research delayed cord clamping and discuss your decision with your care provider. This too should be included in your birth plan.
~ Sign the Placenta Encapsulation Contract and provide payment. I will send you an email with details about your birth place and text you to make sure the lines of communication are open and clear.
Birthing Day
~ If possible, call (7am-10pm) or text (anytime) 720-839-4153 when labor begins to let me know your placenta will be here soon. (I understand you've got a lot going on at this point and won't be offended if this doesn't happen.)
~ Pack a cooler, two of the gallon size freezer zip top bags, and several quart size freezer zip top bags. The cooler should be about 6-pack size. The gallon size bags are to double bag the placenta itself - most birth places will have containers, this is just a back up and ensures the container will fit in your cooler. The quart sized bags can be used to fill with hospital ice for easy ice packs that didn't melt during your birth.
~ If all else fails, use a hospital bucket filled with ice and put the placenta in with it. Make sure the ice stays fresh until pick up.
Baby's Arrival - Pick Up
~ Call (7am-10pm) or text (anytime) after birth. I will pick up your placenta during more "normal" daytime hours. If you do not get a response to a text within an hour of normal business hours, please call. Occasionally, text messages do not create a notification and I have every intention of communicating.
~ Keep your placenta cool and clean until I arrive. Please get the placenta on ice within one hour of birth.
~ Do not allow your placenta to be sent to the pathology department. Remember, it's your placenta. Ask to speak to the patient advocate if necessary.
~ Fill out this form with information about your birth and baby.
~ I will get as close to you as permitted by your birth place's policies; I will communicate with you to coordinate pick up location. I will have my own cooler with me and leave yours with you.
~ If you were unable to get blood work to me, with your permission a nurse can provide me with the information verbally.
~ Rest, enjoy your new baby, and I will take care of the rest!
Settling In - Delivery
~ I will let you know when I'm done and heading to you. If you've been discharged from the hospital, I will happily meet you at your house.
~ If you are still in the hospital (I usually am able to get finished goodies back before discharge), I will verify room number and get as close as permitted.
~ I'll go over usage guidelines but you won't have to memorize anything; it's all in writing in your bag and online here.
~ I will share photos and notes taken while processing your placenta. I will also give you my Postpartum Survival Guide for resources to help as you transition with your newborn.
Safety Notes
~ I cannot accept a placenta that has been sent to pathology. If your birth place insists that the placenta go to pathology, I cannot guarantee it is safe for consumption. Even if they refrain from adding chemicals, the work space is not necessarily sterile and your placenta may come into contact with someone else's bodily fluids. The hospital's Patient Advocate may be able to help you if your hospital is insisting on this.
~ I cannot be responsible for what happens to your placenta when it is not in my possession.
~ Placenta encapsulation has not been evaluated by the FDA. The services on this page offered by Mile High Placenta are not clinical, pharmaceutical, or intended to diagnose or treat any condition. Families who choose to utilize these services are assuming all responsibility and will not hold Mile High Family Connections/Mile High Placenta liable.
