Placenta Encapsulation Red Flags To Look Out For
When I first began my practice, I’ll admit that I cringe when I think about some of the things I did. I worked in my kitchen, laid placentas directly on chux pads, and returned capsules in clear jars. I even made tinctures using 80-proof vodka, which is a definite no-no.
Back then, I learned what I could from midwives and other encapsulators, but I’m ashamed to say that I now understand I didn’t know enough. Luckily, my first few placentas before I completed my certification belonged to friends, so I know there was no harm done. But I am happy to say that I’ve come a long way since then.
I have, however, also found myself cringing as I scroll through social media and notice some concerning red flags I think we need to talk about.
But before I get into it, I want to be clear this isn’t about calling individuals out. It’s about raising the standard across the board. Because high standards keep us all safe… families and encapsulators alike.
With that said, here are some red flags families and birth workers should be aware of.
Cross-Contamination Risks
One of the biggest concerns I see is poor glove and surface practices.
I’ve actually seen videos where the encapsulator handled placenta powder and then reached directly into a bag of empty capsules with the same gloves. That can transfer the placenta powder from one client’s placenta onto capsules that will be used for someone else. Proper glove-changing and clean-hand techniques are super important to prevent cross-contamination.
I also see placentas placed directly on absorbent pads like chux or even puppy pads, and trays that aren’t lined. These pads are designed to absorb fluids, not serve as sanitary prep surfaces. Without proper barriers, placentas come into more contact with surfaces, tools, and the environment. Each extra point of contact increases the risk of contamination, so it’s best to avoid this as much as possible.
And honestly, those chux pads just feel gross. Their fibers can stick to the placenta and potentially end up in mom’s pills. Even if that isn’t necessarily dangerous, it’s definitely not clean or professional, and definitely not what anyone wants in their placenta capsules.
Food-Safety Standards: No Shortcuts Allowed
Placenta encapsulation is often done in home-based settings, but that doesn’t mean safety standards should be casual or compromised.
I myself practice within my home but in a dedicated workspace completely separate from the rest of the house (no kids or pets allowed.) This helps me maintain strict cleanliness and minimize any risk of contamination.
One red flag I see way too often is a lack of clear surface sanitizing protocols. Clorox Wipes from Target won’t cut it. Safe, responsible encapsulation means using hospital-grade disinfectants on all surfaces, strict handwashing before and during processing, frequent glove changes, and dedicated, sanitized equipment for each client whenever possible.
The goal is always to minimize any chance of contamination because even small lapses can have big consequences.
Proper Storage Matters: Protecting Potency and Safety
Another issue I’ve seen is placenta capsules stored in clear glass jars or containers that allow light exposure. Light, heat, and moisture all contribute to the breakdown of hormones and nutrients, reducing the capsules’ effectiveness.
Placenta capsules should be stored in dark, airtight containers with moisture control to preserve potency. Clients deserve to know these capsules are not shelf-stable forever — their effectiveness decreases over time, and how they’re stored makes a difference.
A dark cabinet, away from direct heat and light, is the best storage spot. Contrary to what some might think, placenta pills should not be kept in the refrigerator. Because, as busy new moms might find themselves doing without even thinking, opening the jar with the fridge door still open can let in moisture, and increase the risk of mold growth.
Setting Realistic Expectations: Timing and Potency
Some encapsulators still tell clients they can use their placenta capsules through menopause. This is another example of something I touted in the beginning, but unfortunately, it’s just not true. That’s not how biological material works. Like any herbal supplement, placenta pills decrease in potency over time.
While properly stored capsules won’t necessarily “go bad,” their active benefits will fade, eventually becoming negligible, and therefore, your pills end up worthless.
If you’re interested in longer-term benefits, be sure to ask your encapsulator about a placenta tincture. Capsules work best when used sooner rather than later (ideally during the immediate postpartum period). And if not then, you can save some for when your menstrual cycle returns, and take them during that hormonal transition. Either way, it’s best to finish them before your baby turns two.
Why Timing Matters: The Risks of Nationwide Shipping
One of the main reasons to take placenta pills is to support your body during the early postpartum hormonal transition, right up until your hypothalamus takes over again, about 3 to 4 weeks after birth.
Shipping a placenta across the country can add days of delay, along with potential temperature fluctuations during transit. By the time the capsules are processed and returned, the most critical window for their use may already have passed.
For this reason, local processing is recommended to ensure the pills reach you when they can provide the greatest benefit. I, for one, try to get your placenta processed and delivered back to you before you’re even home from the hospital.
Scope of Practice & Ethical Marketing
Placenta encapsulation is nutritional support, not a medical treatment, and no one should promise specific outcomes or guaranteed results.
Ethical providers offer informed choice, realistic expectations, and clear communication about potential benefits, risks, and limitations.
While some mothers rave about their placenta pills and return for more with each subsequent pregnancy, others feel a little “meh” about it and aren’t quite sure whether they helped or not. Honestly, some women just don’t need the additional support placenta pills can offer, which means their experience may be less impactful.
Occasionally, some moms find the energy boost from placenta pills is too much (though this isn’t common and can often be managed by adjusting the dosage.) This likely means her body already had what it needed.
There’s always a risk involved in whether or not placenta pills will help you have a more energized and balanced postpartum. With my clients, the overwhelming majority are glad they gave placenta pills a try. But a good encapsulator should never promise that placenta pills are magic.
Important Health Considerations
Responsible encapsulators should also be screening for situations that may require extra caution or make placenta ingestion inappropriate, such as certain infections, chorioamnionitis, heavy substance exposure, or other health concerns. In some cases, options beyond capsules may be available, but in others, keeping your placenta may not be recommended at all.
These conversations should always be handled with care, privacy, and respect. And it’s important that your encapsulator is fully aware (both through training and experience) how to handle these situations in a way that keeps you safe and keeps you from wasting your money.
What Safe, Client-Centered Practice Looks Like
At its core, safe placenta encapsulation is about minimizing contamination, protecting potency, being honest, and most importantly, being available to answer questions, offer guidance about dosage, breastfeeding, illness, or other postpartum concerns that may be affected by or tied to placenta pills.
It looks like:
Careful glove and surface protocols
Barriers between placentas, tools, and workspaces
Light-protective, airtight storage
Clear guidance about timing and dosage recommendations
Thorough intake and safety screening
Transparent, ethical communication
Families deserve to know not just what is being done with their placenta, but how and why.
Beware the “One-and-Done” Approach
Another red flag I often see is placenta encapsulators who deliver the capsules transactionally—they hand over or ship the pills and then disappear. This “one-and-done” approach overlooks a crucial part of postpartum care: ongoing support.
Encapsulation isn’t just about the pills themselves; it’s about being there for moms as they navigate their postpartum journey. Clients may have questions about dosage, how the capsules might affect breastfeeding, or concerns about illness and interactions. They may feel anxious, depressed, or unsure of what to do or who to turn to.
We need to be there for our mamas when they need us. Without a knowledgeable provider available, families can feel left alone or in the dark. To me, placenta pills are just one added layer of support in a society where postpartum moms are often left to fend for themselves behind closed doors.
A good placenta professional offers more than just a product. They also offer guidance, reassurance, and a trusted resource during a vulnerable time.
The Bottom Line
Placenta encapsulation can be a meaningful part of postpartum recovery, but only when it’s handled with integrity, safety, and honesty.
If you’re a birth worker, I encourage you to ask encapsulators about their safety protocols and storage practices. If you’re a parent, you have every right to understand how your placenta will be handled and what you can realistically expect from your capsules – so ask lots of questions!
Higher standards protect everyone.
If you’d like to learn more about my safety procedures, preparation methods, or whether placenta encapsulation is a good fit for you, feel free to message me or click here to learn more.
I’m always happy to help families make informed, empowered choices about their postpartum recovery.
