
Melanie Belk
PES
“Women are strong, strong, terribly strong. We don’t know how strong until we’re pushing out our babies.” – Louise Erdrich
I am the Placenta Encapsulation Specialist with Labor of Love. I began encapsulating placentas in 2010, after the birth of my third daughter when I encapsulated my own, although I had been in the birth community since 2006 as a birth doula. At the time there were very few specialists in the area, and my midwife asked if she could give my name to other clients. I started getting calls and decided to do some formal training. As of late 2018 I have encapsulated over a thousand placentas for parents that are both in the metro Atlanta area and nationwide.
I trained as an encapsulation specialist with Placenta Benefits and Full Circle Certification. I hold certificates in Blood Borne Pathogens and GA Food Handling. I also have a degree in biology and a professional background in both biology and chemistry. I utilize my background by taking a very clinical approach to my job. Unique among specialists in the area, I process placentas in a dedicated workspace built specifically for encapsulation, rather than in a kitchen where other food is handled. I strictly follow OSHA standards for sanitization and use specialized equipment chosen specifically for its ability to be broken down and properly sanitized. I focus on raising the standard in Placenta Encapsulation services and bringing the highest quality to my work.
I am a single mother of four wild, brilliant, hilarious girls. When I’m not chasing after them or encapsulating placentas, I like to sing, dance, laugh, chat, camp, or potluck.
My children’s births have changed my life. From being a first-time mom receiving my epidural in the hospital, to catching my fourth baby in a tub in my bedroom, I have had the pleasure of exploring all my birth options during my journey to motherhood, and ultimately learning what a strong, wise woman I am. I am honored to be a part of other women’s journeys.