I’m a Placenta Encapsulator; Not A Snake-Oil Peddler
When people ask what I do for a living, I read the room. Then I assess whether or not to tell the truth. Most times I say, “I work with postpartum moms.” And since most people ask questions they don’t actually care about the answers to, they leave it at that.
But if I assess wrong and say what I actually do, I tend to get some feigned version of, “Oh, that’s interesting.” I know what they really want to say is one of these things:
And I get it. What I do is super niche. Only a small percentage (AKA the best) of the population would even entertain the idea.
But that’s why I write instead. People come here voluntarily. They can leave any time. No one’s feelings get hurt.
So here’s what I’d say if I could have that conversation without worrying about awkward energy shifts: any doubt someone has about placenta pills usually falls into one of two categories:
Safety concerns
Skepticism
Here’s my “defense case” for placenta pills.
1. What We Know
Ingesting your own placenta is safe.
No mother or baby has ever gotten sick because mom took placenta pills.
No mother or baby has ever died because mom took placenta pills.
Most mammals consume their placentas after giving birth.
Humans are mammals.
Your placenta is packed with vitamins, nutrients, and hormones that support postpartum recovery and breastfeeding.
2. What We Don’t Know Yet
Science on placenta encapsulation is still limited, which means there are a few big questions we just don’t have definitive answers for yet. For example:
How much of the vitamins, nutrients, and hormones survive the dehydration process?
How much of those nutrients and hormones are actually absorbed by the body?
Can placenta pills benefit anyone besides the mom taking them?
Are there any effects on babies through breast milk?
Are there any long-term maternal health benefits?
Can placenta pills help prevent postpartum anxiety or other maternal mental health challenges?
Of course, it would be fantastic to have solid answers to all of this.
But if I’m being honest, I, personally, don’t need concrete evidence for this. Because the anecdotal evidence, the research we do have, the way moms report feeling after taking their placenta pills, and the way I felt when I took my own have all led me to confidently conclude that placenta encapsulation is beneficial. Because I believe women.
3. The Risks of Taking Placenta Pills
It’s wild, but when you dig around online for real-world negative outcomes, there’s almost nothing. The only documented instance I’ve found is a GBS transmission case from 2017 — which I’ve covered extensively in a separate blog post.
If you Google, “Has anyone gotten sick from placenta pills aside from the GBS case in 2017?” you’ll basically be led right back to that story… and nothing else. Not a single other case. If you find one, please send it to me here: Tiff, The Placenta Girl.
These risks exist mostly in theory. In practice, taking your placenta pills is about as risky as eating out at a restaurant. You’re ingesting something your body created. You’re being smart about handling and storage. And when proper protocols are followed, the chance of anything going wrong is extremely low.
Want the full breakdown of that 2017 case? Check out my detailed GBS blog post: Placenta Pills & GBS.
But it would be irresponsible of me not to state clearly that things can go wrong if the placenta is mishandled. That’s why hiring someone trained, experienced, and meticulous matters — or doing it yourself with guidance (full disclosure: I did mine myself, and I wish I’d trusted someone else).
4. What Is a Logical Conclusion?
Placenta encapsulation is safe when the placenta is healthy and processed correctly by someone who knows what they’re doing.
Here’s how I ensure your safety:
Placenta Transport Kit with full storage instructions
Dedicated placenta-only fridge in my placenta-only workspace
Sanitized tools and strict hygiene protocols
Processing one placenta at a time
Detailed labeling and chain-of-custody tracking
14+ years of experience, 1,500+ placentas processed
Ongoing support and guidance to adjust dosing if needed
I don’t cut corners. I know what to look for, and I make sure every placenta is handled safely, so you can take your pills with confidence.
Now here’s the part that’s rarely discussed: there are people out there offering placenta pills with no training, no hygiene protocols, and no understanding of what they’re doing. I’ve seen videos on social media and questions in birthworker groups that make me cringe. They’re essentially selling snake oil — relying on luck instead of knowledge. Some have been “lucky” so far, but you don’t want to be the first test case.
Humans are mammals. Most mammal mothers eat their placentas safely. That’s not luck — that’s biology.
5. So Why All the Fear-Mongering and Judgment?
It’s not about the placenta itself. It’s about the world we live in:
Patriarchy & societal norms: Women’s bodies, especially postpartum bodies, are undervalued. Anything natural that empowers moms tends to be viewed with suspicion.
Medical-industrial complex / Big Pharma: Natural remedies don’t profit anyone, so they’re questioned, dismissed, vilified, or ignored.
Lack of regulation: Anyone can say they are a placenta encapsulator. In the US, there is no regulation whatsoever for placenta encapsulators.
So yes, things could go wrong. Very wrong. That’s why it’s important to hire someone who is trained, careful, and experienced (like me 👋🏼). That way, the theoretical risks are minimized and thepotential benefits remain.
Your placenta is yours — and it deserves a better send-off than the trash can.
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.
