When we founded APPA in 2014, we were motivated by the growing interest in and practice of placenta encapsulation, as well as our sense that the industry needed a comprehensive training program focused on excellence. For us, excellence means both quality education in placenta work and quality standards for people who certify with us.
Working with placentas requires care and conscientiousness, from the first client contact to cleaning and sanitation. The placenta is an incredibly special organ, a link between baby and parent. We are keenly aware that families have only one chance to utilize their placentas safely.
Our standards as an organization were developed by birthworkers with decades of experience in the field. Together, we reviewed available science and evidence to establish high-quality guidelines for the process of placenta encapsulation. We believe that a complete education, integrity, scope of practice, safety and sanitation, and quality practice are key to providing exceptional placenta services, around the world. Our goal is not to simply provide certification, but to create experts in placentophagy.
Quality Education: We provide an all-encompassing education in the art of placenta preparation, including traditional wisdom and history, the latest scientific evidence, placental anatomy and identification of common variations, all common preparation methods, safe practice, and appropriate equipment. We even cover postpartum mood disorders and community resources. Our board directly oversees the protocols and practices of our students and APPA Certified members, ensuring that all APPACs are practicing in a safe, effective way.
Integrity: We respect ourselves, our clients, other providers,and birthworkers in our communities. The APPA Code of Ethical Conduct assists the Certified Placenta Arts Specialist to carry out their responsibilities to their clients, colleagues, the profession, and the community. By defining and agreeing to these responsibilities, APPACs are required to uphold the highest possible standards of their professional competence, business practices, quality of services, and personal integrity.
Scope of Practice: We take our work seriously—which includes the work we don’t do. We hold our students and graduates to a rigorous scope of practice as placenta specialists. We know how we can help our clients and have a robust referral list when we can’t.
Non-Discrimination: All people are welcome at APPA, regardless of race, ethnicity, sex, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, culture, language, political beliefs, age, ability, mental health, religious beliefs, spiritual beliefs, or other demographics and identities that may affect someone’s lived experience. We believe everyone deserves fair treatment and an excellent education.
Confidentiality: Privacy and confidentiality are touchstones of our training and are part of our expectations for students and graduates.
Safety and Sanitation: Safe practices protect clients and providers. Safe practices include, but are not limited to, appropriate equipment, clean and sanitary handling and preparation of the placenta, and utilization of adequate personal protective equipment (PPE). APPACs can choose to prepare placentas in their own space or client spaces. Regardless of location, APPA’s sanitation and safety practices are rigorous in terms of preparation, work, and cleanup. Preventing cross-contamination is our top priority for every placenta, every time.
Board Review and Quality Assurance: A vital aspect of the APPA experience is our use of board-reviewed protocols for our certified members. This means that every person eligible for APPA certification submits a detailed written protocol, including photographs, to our board for review. This is how we ensure our teachings are put into practice appropriately.
In addition, we provide periodic reviews of certified members’ space, setup, equipment, Personal Protective Equipment, preparation methods, and sanitation processes. This keeps our members up-to-date with best practices, and allows us to provide feedback for quality, safety, and more efficient processing. Continuing education is required with certification. Our graduates remain in alignment with current research in the field of perinatal health and postpartum care.
We are not a “one and done” training. APPA cares about keeping our APPAC members informed, practicing effectively on the leading edge. When you certify with us, we’ve got your back. When you hire an APPAC, you can rest assured that your placenta will be prepared by the best the profession has to offer.
Community: APPA has raised community standards in placenta encapsulation as a whole, throughout the birthwork industry. From establishing evidence based and food safe practices and debunking common myths, to our bloodborne pathogens training, designed specifically for placenta work. The worldwide community of doulas, midwives, physicians, placenta specialists, childbirth educators and more look to us for leadership. We are proud to occupy that role and strive to always work with integrity and respect, to support our community as a whole.
We are confident that APPA’s standards are the highest in the industry. When you choose to train with us, you can be assured that you’re getting the most comprehensive and supportive training in placenta preparation. If you hire an APPAC to process your placenta, you’ll know that the person you’ve entrusted with your placenta is following rigorous sanitation protocols and is up-to-date on best practices and the latest research.
Jenny Corbett
I had been a practicing placenta encapsulator for 2 years when I enrolled in APPA. I thought I was pretty much an expert. I had no idea what I didn’t know. Now I actually am an expert. APPA is thorough, rigorous, and uncompromising in its dedication, the very highest standards of safety and customer care. I can wholeheartedly recommend this program as the gold standard in placenta arts training. Any APPAC you hire has met incredibly high standards and has put in hundreds of hours of study and practice.
