Placenta Encapsulation Preparation Methods
The Power of Choice:
TCM vs RFM Placenta Preparation Methods
One of the things that sets placenta encapsulation apart as a truly personalized postpartum wellness option is the ability to choose a preparation method tailored to your unique needs. Whether you’re drawn to the time-honored warmth of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) or the potent, nutrient-preserving power of the Raw Food Method (RFM), both approaches offer safe, natural, and effective ways to support your body through the fourth trimester. No two postpartum journeys look the same, which is why choosing between two expertly crafted preparation methods means your placenta encapsulation experience can be customized around your healing style, your hormonal needs, and your birth story. Explore the details of each method below to discover which placenta preparation method is the perfect fit for your postpartum recovery.
TCM vs. RFM: Which Placenta Preparation Method Is Right for You?
Traditional Chinese Method
(Steamed)
The TCM placenta preparation method is a time-honored approach to postpartum wellness that begins by thoroughly washing the placenta before steaming it — a process that gently prepares it for dehydration over 24+ hours at high heat, ensuring a safe and effective final product.
Rooted in the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine, this warming preparation method is ideal for parents who prefer warm foods during postpartum healing and recovery, and is particularly recommended for those experiencing anxiety or seeking natural support against postpartum mood disorders.
The TCM method is also the required preparation for parents who test positive for Group B Strep (GBS) at 36 weeks gestation, as the steaming process helps prevent reintroducing bacteria into the body during postpartum placenta consumption. This preparation is additionally recommended when viral or bacterial risk factors are present at the time of delivery — including COVID-19 or Influenza — making it the safest and most clinically considerate choice for high-risk postpartum situations.
Please note that due to allergen considerations, herbs are not included in the steaming process unless specifically arranged in advance with your placenta encapsulation specialist.
Raw Foods Method
(Raw)
The RFM placenta preparation method bypasses the steaming process entirely, instead washing the placenta and placing it directly into the dehydrator — preserving the maximum potency of natural hormones and nutrients for the highest yield of placenta capsules available across both preparation methods. This method is ideal for parents
who follow a raw foods diet, prefer cold foods during postpartum healing and recovery, or are seeking the freshest and most potent hormonal benefits that placenta encapsulation has to offer.
RFM placenta encapsulation is not recommended for parents with a history of anxiety, insomnia, or hyperthyroidism, as the increased hormonal potency of this preparation method may intensify these conditions during the postpartum period.
Because the Raw Food Method skips the steaming process, a negative Group B Strep (GBS) swab result taken at 36 weeks gestation is required to confirm this preparation method, ensuring the safest possible placenta encapsulation experience for both parent and baby. You are welcome to provisionally select RFM when you register and confirm your GBS results with us at 37 weeks — if your results come back positive, we will gladly switch your preparation method to TCM placenta encapsulation without any disruption to your postpartum wellness plan.
Placenta Encapsulation Registration
Start Your Postpartum Healing Journey Today!
Give yourself the gift of natural postpartum support by reserving your placenta encapsulation package today — whether you’re planning ahead or reaching out last minute, we’re here to help. Trusted placenta encapsulation services ensure your placenta is processed safely and professionally, supporting hormonal balance, faster recovery, and overall postpartum wellness. Serving the greater Bay Area since 2014, Inspired Placentas is trusted by over 1,500 families for safe, professional placenta encapsulation, placenta capsules, tinctures, and postpartum wellness products. Register now and take the first step toward a smoother, more supported fourth trimester.
