Testing positive for GBS does not eliminate the possibility to encapsulate your placenta, you can still safely encapsulate.

If you have been diagnosed with any of the following bloodborne infection diseases, your placenta will not be released and you are unable to encapsulate your placenta.

Simply Dehydrated Preparation Method - The following information is about the RAW Method also known as Simply Dehydrated Preparation Method, which is the most popular choice among my clients. This method does not involve the steaming process, the placenta is sliced while still "raw" and dehydrated immediately. The dehydration process takes place at a temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit, which is the recommended temperature by USDA for dehydrating meat. This temperature helps to destroy bacteria and active enzymes. It is believed that this method retains essential hormones and makes the iron content more bio-available. Although this method yields a slightly higher number of capsules than Steamed & Dehydrated, the amount is negligible. Feedback from my clients suggests that this method is the most balancing because it produces both emotionally balancing properties and increased energy. This method is ideal for those who have had a long labor, postpartum hemorrhage, or a history of it, and for those who desire to increase breast milk and energy immediately after delivery. Your placenta capsules will be provided in a glass amber bottle to help preserve beneficial properties. It is important to note that there are two methods of preparing food in the Raw foods diet. The first method involves not heating food above 118 degrees Fahrenheit, which is known as the Raw method. However, this method is not considered safe as per the USDA's safety recommendations. Therefore, I prefer to follow the USDA's recommendation for dehydrating at 160 degrees Fahrenheit, which is a safer option. To avoid confusion, I have chosen to name this method of preparation differently to clearly distinguish between the two methods of raw preparation. Steamed and Dehydrated Preparation Method - This method is also known as the Traditional Method, Traditional Chinese Medicine Inspired Method, or TCM. It is the oldest known method and follows the TCM principles and specific needs during the postpartum period. In TCM theory, the process of labor and birth leaves the mother with an open, empty space which is considered very cold or yin. To promote healing during this time, warm energy via heat, or yang, is added. This method involves steaming the placenta gently with optional herbs and then dehydrating it at 160 degrees. Fresh organic lemon, ginger and cayenne pepper can be added upon request. It is believed that putting the herbs in the steaming process brings out the placenta’s natural healing properties. Lemon is thought to be an antiseptic and helps to distribute the placenta throughout the body. Cayenne and ginger are warming herbs and are thought to lend their properties to the placenta. Ginger specifically acts as a facilitator for energy and good blood flow. TCM is believed to have tonifying, healing and warming properties. If your placenta has been frozen, this is always the method of choice. Your placenta capsules will be provided to you in a glass amber bottle to help preserve beneficial properties.

Your choice of clear vegan/vegetarian capsules or colored/flavored gelatin capsules.

Upon completion of your chosen package, you will receive a text from me notifying you that your package has been completed and is ready for return delivery. You have the option to request that a signature is required upon delivery or not. I cover the cost of shipping, please select your preference!

ENTIRE AGREEMENT This agreement contains the entire understanding between The Nurtured Leaf, LLC, and/or Alecia Smith, and The Client. It supersedes all prior and simultaneous agreements between the parties. The only way to change or add to this agreement is to do so in writing with all the relevant parties signing provided document. RESERVATION Upon submitting the non-refundable deposit payment and agreement form, The Nurtured Leaf, LLC will reserve 4 weeks surrounding The Client's due date on their calendar. For this reason, the deposit payment of $100 will remain non-refundable even if services are not rendered for any reason. PAYMENTS The Client agrees that a non-refundable $100 deposit fee is due in advance of the completed Agreement Form, and is required to reserve services. This deposit payment is applied to the total placenta service purchase. Remaining balance is due upon pickup of the placenta to The Nurtured Leaf, LLC for chosen encapsulation services. If the remaining balance payment is not paid in full upon pick up of the placenta for preparation, delivery for services rendered and products purchased will not be delivered to The Client until the balance is paid in full. Tax is not charged to the deposit payment but will be added to the final payment due for services rendered. METHOD OF PAYMENT Payment may be made either by cash, check, Venmo or via a credit card. A $35 fee will be charged for all returned checks. A 3.5% Convenience Fee will be charged for all credit card payments. TRAVEL Travel time is included in the encapsulation fee for the Full Service Encapsulation Package unless over 30 miles from zip code 98022. Location will be agreed upon during booking and if location is farther than 30 miles, a travel fee of $25+ will be incurred depending on location. If there is a location change after the Agreement Form has been signed and it is outside of the standard 30 mile travel radius, a travel fee will be charged. If there is a location change after the Agreement Form has been signed that is further than the applied travel fee, the travel fee will be adjusted to reflect the additional distance. CANCELLATION & REFUND No refund is given for services canceled. If The Nurtured Leaf, LLC is unable to provide placenta services due to illness or is otherwise incapacitated, all efforts will be made to send a qualified back-up specialist. Contract will then be taken over by the back-up specialist. If The Nurtured Leaf, LLC is unable to provide services and no back up specialist is available, the deposit will be refunded in full. It is The Client’s responsibility to get permission for release of the placenta from care provider. If The Client is unable to obtain the placenta or it is contaminated before release and unable to be consumed for any reason beyond The Nurtured Leaf, LLC's control, there is no refund of deposit. Once The Client has called The Nurtured Leaf, LLC to come pick up the placenta, full payment is due. If the placenta was misplaced, not saved by care provider, or unusable; but The Nurtured Leaf LLC is already enroute to pickup, The Client will receive an invoice for $100 and the $100 deposit fee will remain non-refundable. CLIENT RESPONSIBILITIES The Client will notify their care provider during a prenatal visit that they plan to keep their placenta. If their care provider requires a release form to be signed for the release of the placenta, they will provide The Client with one (hospital birth). The Client agrees to contact The Nurtured Leaf, LLC as soon as labor begins and then again after baby is born. The client is to contact The Nurtured Leaf, LLC via text message. Pickup hours are between 7 am and 7 pm. As long as The Client has contacted The Nurtured Leaf, LLC by 7 pm, their placenta will be picked up on the same day, otherwise a time will be arranged for the placenta to be picked up the following morning. The Client will be given proper handling and storage instructions upon reserving services, which will include safe storage instructions for holding the placenta overnight if necessary. The Client agrees to keep the placenta in their sight at all times to ensure it does not go to a lab where it could be contaminated by chemicals or other harmful substances rendering it unsafe for consumption. If the hospital must test the placenta, a small piece can be taken off the maternal side and sent to the lab, while the intact placenta is stored properly. The Client agrees to have the double bagged placenta placed in a refrigerator (home birth) or cooler with ice (hospital or birth center), within 1 hour of birth. If The Client has reserved services with The Nurtured Leaf, LLC at least 3 weeks in advance of their estimated due date, they will receive a personal placenta storage and transportation kit. The Client is responsible for packing along the provided placenta transportation kit along with them, for the birth. If The Client has reserved services less than 3 weeks of their estimated due date, The Client is responsible for providing a cooler to properly store their placenta in. The placenta should sit out for no more than a maximum of 4 hours at room temperature. Ideally, the placenta should be placed on ice or in a refrigerator within 1 hour of birth. If The Client is unable to contact The Nurtured Leaf, LLC within 3 days of the birth, The Client should freeze the placenta until they are ready for it to be picked up. A frozen placenta will take additional time to prepare, so that it can be safely thawed. The Client understands that the same post birth care instructions apply to C-Sections. WASHINGTON STATE LEGALITIES There are no State mandated regulations in Washington barring placental release or consumption. The place of birth may have policies and may require a release form. The Client is responsible for determining the policy of their birth place during pregnancy and informing the care provider that The Client plans to keep their placenta. RISKS OF PLACENTA CONSUMPTION The Client understands the risks of placenta consumption are the same as dining out in a restaurant where the food is prepared. Other risks may include: placenta being switched with another placenta that is not The Client’s at the hospital; placenta contamination with chemicals at the hospital pathology laboratory; and contamination during transport (either by hospital or The Client failing to store properly). POSSIBLE BENEFITS OF PLACENTA CONSUMPTION The Client acknowledges the following possible benefits of placentophagia / placenta encapsulation: • Preventing and lessening the risk of postpartum depression or “baby blues” • Replenishing iron from blood loss during birth and prevention of post birth anemia in the mother • Lending a consistent flow of oxytocin (the love hormone) long after the birth euphoria ends • Provides the HPL hormone to help establish early and healthy milk supply for breastfeeding • Stabilizes constantly fluctuating hormones post birth • Replenishes B vitamins and energy that were used during the labor and birth process • Protection from infection and bleeding due to retained placenta tissue or membranes • Offers natural pain relief from the labor and birth process via the hormone POEF (placenta opioid enhancing factor) WAIVER OF LIABILITY The Client understands that choosing to encapsulate their placenta is not intended to prevent or treat any physical or mental diseases, ailments or symptoms and that The Client is choosing to consume their placenta for their own personal beliefs, whether it is spiritual or cultural. The Client acknowledges that The Nurtured Leaf, LLC has provided concrete information about the benefits and risks of placenta encapsulation and has read all included documents. The Client understands that the placenta has been handled and encapsulated according to OSHA and WA Food Safety and Handling standards, has been rinsed with clean water, steamed (if this preparation method has been chosen), dehydrated and put into capsule form in a sanitary and disinfected work space. Upon receiving placenta capsules or other placenta products, The Client waives any and all rights to hold The Nurtured Leaf, LLC and/or Alecia Smith responsible for any undesired effect of consuming the capsules. The Client does not hold The Nurtured Leaf, LLC and/or Alecia Smith responsible or liable for any transport mishap that is beyond their/her control (ex: car accident or detainment). The Client understands that the placenta will be prepared in The Nurtured Leaf, LLC's dedicated workspace and returned to The Client as soon as their chosen package has been completed. Preparation typically takes 2 days. The placenta will be prepared in The Nurtured Leaf, LLC's dedicated workspace, and The Client places full trust and acknowledgement that it is being handled in a sanitary and safe environment. The Client understands that upon receiving placenta capsules and products, The Nurtured Leaf, LLC and/or Alecia Smith are no longer liable, including but not limited to any other persons ingesting The Client’s placenta. DISCLAIMER Alecia Smith/The Nurtured Leaf, LLC is not a licensed medical professional and is not able to diagnose, treat or prescribe for any health condition. Services and fees are for the preparation and encapsulation of The Client's placenta, not for the sale of the capsules. No specific benefits or effects are promised. Any benefits will vary from person to person. Some of the ascribed benefits of placenta consumption are supported by research; however these benefits have not been evaluated or approved by the Food and Drug Administration. It is The Client's responsibility to determine whether using placenta preparations may be of benefit to them. The Client should always speak to their care provider regarding any questions about health, safety and well-being. Placenta services are not meant to be a replacement for medical advice or prescription medicines. If The Client is experiencing symptoms of postpartum depression, low milk supply, or other medical concerns, The Client should speak to their care provider.

The Client understands that the $100 deposit payment is non-refundable if placenta services are not rendered for any reason, and that it covers the time being on call for 4 weeks surrounding The Client's estimated due date. This deposit reserves services, and guarantees The Nurtured Leaf's availability. I (The Client) agree to the entire preceding agreement.