APPA is thrilled to have another outstanding new graduate! Introducing, Sarah Toma! We asked Sarah to introduce herself and answer some questions about why she chose to certify through APPA…
I’m the wife of an amazing and supportive man, the mom to a spunky and sharp little toddler, and am passionate 
about caring for women as they walk through the beautiful journey of pregnancy and motherhood. Here is a bit of my story of becoming an APPA-Certified Placenta Arts Specialist for the Louisville and Kentuckiana area and the owner of Purely Placenta Arts, LLC.
My journey in supporting women started as I studied Women’s ministry in Louisville, KY. I began working at Louisville Family Chiropractic in the Fall of 2009 and encountered Louisville’s amazing network of birth professionals in all areas (doulas, childbirth educators, midwives). A coworker had an amazing experience with placenta encapsulation. I was immediately intrigued as I heard many more wonderful stories and saw women benefiting from placenta services.
Before studying women’s ministry, I had been a biochemistry major at the University of Arizona. The idea of encapsulating my own placenta, and eventually providing the service for others allowed my love for science, natural health, and wellness, and all things birth to combine! I soon learned how to encapsulate in a hands-on setting, and quickly realized that I need a more rigorous training and certification program.
Enter…APPA! The Association of Placenta Preparation Arts met all my professional needs and desires for a training program. After thorough research, I soon learned that this was the training that placenta encapsulation specialists took even after they had already certified elsewhere. This training program has taken my practice to a new level of skill, knowledge, and professional standards. I also hold up to date ServSafe Food Handler’s certification and OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen certification.
My goal is to provide compassionate, caring postpartum support to mothers and their families across Greater Louisville and Southern Indiana and the surrounding areas.
Tell us about your practice; where you’re located, some stats, etc. Tell us how your practice has changed or grown since joining APPA. Share some of your successes.
I own Purely Placenta Arts, LLC and serve the Greater Louisville, KY area and Southern Indiana. Since becoming an APPAC, I’ve been able to speak at events, host workshops, and grow in my client education aspect of my business. My client base and network have grown and I’ve been blessed to serve more families as an APPAC.
In what way has becoming an APPAC/being part of APPA benefited you as a placenta prep provider?
Being connected to the most well-educated and experienced placenta providers has been a great benefit. It’s been amazing to have the incredible APPA certification and training under my belt.
Do you have any advice for those interested in becoming a placenta prep provider?
If you love serving women and families as they welcome their little blessings, the first step is to do your research and choose a training program! I highly recommend APPA after starting a different program and switching to APPA. Training before you begin serving families is a great way to ensure safety and optimal benefits for your encapsulating mothers!
Why did you choose APPA as your certifying organization?
After a lot of research and doing a few modules of a different program, I was impressed with the thoroughness of APPA’s training and they have amazing reviews. I found that this was the training that previously certified encapsulators chose for updating/continuing their education. Why not start with the best??
What did you like the most about APPA?
The information was thorough, research-based, and extremely comprehensive, as well as practical. Their safety standards and requirements to double check your practices before certifying is rigorous but so beneficial. They know down to the details how every encapsulator is sanitizing, protecting themselves and the client, and processing each placenta. It’s amazing!! Their mentors are also so helpful and their online student support groups are an amazing community and wealth of knowledge.
How has this training changed your practice or added to your knowledge?
I’ve learned so much and my safety and sanitation protocols are now up to Food Safety and OSHA BBP standards. That was hugely important for me in starting my business. I am also well equipped to educate clients and run my business well!
You can contact Sarah and learn more about her services at her website: www.purelyplacentas.com
Or get to know her better through her social media presence – on Facebook: facebook.com/purelyplacentas and on Instagram: @purelyplacentas and #purelyplacentas
Sarah serves Louisville, KY (including Oldham County, Spencer County, Bullitt County, & Shelby County areas) and Southern Indiana.
