Is Placenta Encapsulation Safe? What South Jersey Moms Need to Know
If you’re planning for baby in South or Central Jersey and planning to give birth at Virtua in Voorhees or Mt. Holly, Cooper Hospital in Camden, Inspira in Mullica Hill, or at any hospital, birth place, or at home within about 90 minutes of Cherry Hill, NJ — you may be considering placenta pills. Naturally, you may be worried about the risks and asking is this even safe?
The short answer is yes — when done by a trained, certified professional, taking placenta pills holds about as much risk as eating out at a restaurant and trusting someone else to prepare your food for you.
What is Placenta Encapsulation?
Placenta encapsulation is the process of steaming, dehydrating, and grinding your placenta into capsules that you can take postpartum. While it’s gained popularity in recent years, the practice is still fairly niche and unfortunately for moms, largely unregulated, which means safety depends heavily on who is handling your placenta.
As a New Jersey placenta encapsulator with 14 years of experience, I’ve processed over 1,500 placentas safely. I follow strict protocols that are aligned with food safety and biohazard standards set forth by the state and by OSHA.
Evidence and Research on Safety
Research and observational studies support the safety of placenta encapsulation when processed correctly.
Human Maternal Placentophagy: Possible Benefit and Potential Risks – Jena University, 2018
Shows that placenta consumption is safe when handled properly.Maternal Placenta Consumption Causes No Harm to Newborns – ScienceDaily, 2018
Observed no negative effects on babies whose mothers consumed encapsulated placenta.Presence & Concentration of 17 Hormones in Human Placenta Processed for Encapsulation – UNLV, 2016
Processed placenta retains some hormones that may support postpartum recovery.Placentophagy Survey: Self-Reported Motivations and Experiences – Selander et al., 2013
Moms reported feeling more energized and balanced.Does Eating Placenta Offer Postpartum Benefits? – British Journal of Midwives, 2012
Women reported the practice was meaningful, with no reported harm.
You can find links to all of these studies and more on my Research and Articles page.
How Certified Encapsulators Keep You Safe
A professional placenta encapsulator uses strict hygiene and processing protocols:
Gloves, sterilized equipment, and separate utensils for each placenta
Food handler’s certification and OSHA bloodborne pathogen training
Step-by-step adherence to sanitation, dehydration, and storage guidelines
When all protocols are followed, the risk of bacterial contamination or illness is extremely low.
Potential Risks to Be Aware Of
While rare, some risks do exist:
Contamination: Improperly handled placentas can harbor bacteria.
DIY methods or untrained providers: Can increase the risk of infection or spoilage.
Unrealistic expectations: Placenta pills are a supportive tool, not a magic solution.
Why South Jersey Moms Should Choose a Certified Provider
Because placenta encapsulation is unregulated, South Jersey moms should:
Verify certifications and training of any local encapsulator
Understand processing protocols and hygiene standards
Ask about experience with hospitals or birth centers in your area
Choosing a trained professional is about more than safety, it’s also one of many steps you’ll take as a mother that will help keep you and your baby safe, healthy, and happy. Because when you’re giving birth in a society that overwhelmingly fails moms, you want to utilize every tool you can to support your postpartum healing and recovery.
I’m Tiff, The Placenta Girl and I’m dedicated to helping new and expecting moms navigate the challenges of the fourth trimester with confidence and support. Curious about how placenta pills can support your recovery, energy, and overall postpartum experience? Click here to learn more and see how placenta encapsulation can help you feel stronger, calmer, and more prepared.
