Placenta Encapsulation Frequently Asked Questions

Your placenta was basically your baby's personal chef for ten months, cooking up all the necessary nutrients and making sure the gross stuff stayed far away from your little one. It was also the boss of your hormones during pregnancy, leaving them to their own devices until your brain could take over again. So when you pop those placenta pills, you're gradually saying goodbye to those hormones until your brain catches up and takes charge a few weeks after giving birth.

Short answer: yes.

Placenta pills are safe. There is no evidence anywhere that anyone has gotten sick or worse from taking placenta pills. If anyone tells you otherwise, they are flat-out wrong and haven’t done their due diligence.

The risks of taking placenta pills are about the same as when you eat out in a restaurant — you’re trusting that the person preparing what you’re about to eat has taken all precautions to keep you healthy and safe.

As a professional placenta encapsulator, your safety is my top priority. I hold both a food handler’s card and a certificate with OSHA for bloodborne pathogens. I follow all recommendations carefully. Every time.

It is important to prioritize your health and safety during the postpartum period. If you experience any unexpected symptoms or develop a fever, it is important to contact your healthcare provider right away. Additionally, if there is any concern about the safety or contamination of your placenta, it is best to err on the side of caution and not consume it. If you become sick during your postpartum period, it is important to stop taking your placenta pills and contact your encapsulation specialist to develop a plan for safely weaning off of them. Abruptly stopping consumption can have negative effects, so it is important to seek guidance in this situation.

Taking placenta pills carries about the same level of risk as eating food prepared by someone else at a restaurant. But don't worry, I take every precaution to make sure you're safe. It's worth noting that for some women (although it's rare), consuming placenta can negatively impact milk production or mood. This is usually due to raw preparation, but I don't offer that service because I prefer to be extra careful. I don't want you to waste your placenta or your money!

There are other risks to consider too, like the possibility of your placenta being switched at the hospital, dropped, sneezed on, or exposed to harmful chemicals during transport. But you can avoid all of these issues by following my storage instructions carefully. If anything seems out of the ordinary, please let me know right away so we can address it.

When you book me for placenta encapsulation, I'll send you a handy transport kit that comes with everything you need to store your placenta safely until I can pick it up from your birthing location. It's crucial that you keep your placenta cool (not frozen, just fridge temperature) to make sure it stays safe to consume. Once you've reserved my services, you'll receive a detailed checklist to help you prepare and know what to expect.

Before you give birth, it's a good idea to talk to your care provider and include placenta encapsulation in your birth plan. This will ensure that your placenta is handled correctly and that your decision is respected.

When I receive your placenta, I ensure that it is stored in my dedicated placenta fridge until I'm ready to begin processing. To ensure hygiene, I sanitize my workspace and rinse your placenta with cold water, removing any clots or vernix that may be present. If there is meconium, I carefully remove the membranes and rinse with rice vinegar for added safety. Then, I steam the placenta gently for 5-10 minutes, depending on its size. Next, I slice it thinly and place it on dehydrator trays, resembling beef jerky. Overnight, it dehydrates, and in the morning, I grind it into a fine powder and encapsulate it into your capsules. Finally, I store your capsules in a container and prepare them for delivery back to you.

I take great care to ensure that there are no mix-ups in the processing of your placenta. I only process one placenta at a time, and I have a placenta-specific fridge in my workspace. Every placenta that goes in the fridge is labeled. The only thing in your placenta capsules is your own dehydrated placenta. While the placenta is made specifically for you, any female in your maternal family line can also benefit from it. So, if you want to share with your sisters, mother, aunts, grandmothers, daughters, or any other family member, you can do so with confidence.

Your placenta is yours and you can do with it what you wish. Even during C19, all hospitals in our area allow for placenta release. Most of them have a placenta release form that you’ll sign when you are admitted. Your nurses can help you get ice for your cooler pack and help you package it up safely. It’s yours as much as your baby is yours. You are an informed human who has the rights over her own body and everything that comes out of it.

As someone who loves our planet and wants to minimize waste, I take special care to make sure that everything I use in the placenta encapsulation process is safe and as eco-friendly as possible. I wear latex-free, powder-free gloves and store your placenta in food-safe bags with dust-free silica packets that meet FDA food safety standards.

I use a stainless steel food dehydrator with temperature control, lined with unbleached parchment paper. To grind the dried placenta, I use a Magic Bullet that comes apart easily for cleaning, and I fill capsules using a special machine. I also use disposable kitchen shears and a scouring sponge to make sure everything is clean and hygienic.

In addition, I have a compact refrigerator and freezer, as well as antibacterial soap, recycled paper towels, disposable pads, face masks, safety goggles, hair nets, scrubs, and disposable aprons. I even use 8.25% Sodium hypochlorite (which is above the 5.25% minimum required by OSHA) to make sure everything is extra clean and safe.

When it comes to taking your placenta pills, I recommend starting with two capsules three times a day for the first week after giving birth. Then, you can switch to taking two capsules twice a day for the following week, and then two capsules a day until you start feeling like your old self again.

After that, you can take two capsules whenever you need a little extra energy (which could be a sign of low iron) or to help boost milk production if you're breastfeeding. I'll provide detailed dosage instructions with your pills, as well as a handy dosage card that you can stick on your fridge to help you remember to take them.

If you have any capsules left over after you feel like yourself again, you can keep them in the freezer and take them whenever you feel like you need a little boost. It's really just like taking a regular vitamin, and if you didn't know it was your placenta in there, you wouldn't be able to tell the difference!

To preserve the potency of your placenta pills, it's important to keep them away from direct heat, light, and moisture for the first six weeks. After that, you can store them in your freezer for up to two years (I'll send you an email reminder when it's time to do so). While they won't necessarily "go bad", like most herbal supplements, their potency may decrease over time. It's best to use all of your capsules before your baby's second birthday.

Booking early is always a great idea so that you can cross one more thing off your list as your due date approaches, and it also gives me plenty of time to get your placenta transport kit to you. However, even if you don't book in advance, don't worry - as long as you still have your placenta and it has been stored safely, it's never too late to book my services.

If you've read through all the information on my website and you're ready to book, simply fill out the reservation form on my website to get started. I'll be in touch with you shortly to confirm your booking and answer any questions you may have.

Here’s a list of research and articles that relate to placenta consumption.

It's important to note that these reported benefits are based on anecdotal evidence from individual experiences and are not backed by scientific studies. While many women (myself included) have reported positive effects from consuming their placenta, there is not yet enough scientific evidence to support these claims.

You can check out my reviews on Google to see what my specific clients have to say about it.

The "baby blues" is a common postpartum symptom where new moms experience feelings of sadness, anxiety, and are highly emotional after giving birth. These symptoms can progress to postpartum depression (PPD) or postpartum anxiety (PPA) if not addressed. Research shows that PPD/PPA symptoms are linked to a deficiency in vital nutrients like iron, vitamin B6, and the stress-reducing hormone CRH, all of which are found in high concentrations in your placenta. Taking placenta pills can potentially help prevent these symptoms by providing new moms with the essential nutrients and hormones they need after childbirth. However, it's essential to note that placenta pills are not a substitute for medical treatment or a magic solution to postpartum issues. It's crucial to take a holistic approach to postpartum care, and if you experience anxiety or depression symptoms, reach out for professional help.

Many placenta encapsulators will have you ship your placenta to them, but to me, that’s just silly. Companies like Mommy Made Encapsulation are high profit, low touch, which to me is kinda gross.

I’m all about supporting local businesses, even if that means I don’t get the business. If you’re out of my service area, let me know where you’re giving birth and I’ll help you find a reliable and qualified placenta encapsulation service near you.

The evidence on whether placenta pills increase milk supply is mixed and largely anecdotal. Some mothers, including many of my clients, report improved milk supply after taking placenta pills. This could be due to the potential presence of hormones like oxytocin and prolactin or the nutritional support they might provide during postpartum recovery.

Read more here.

Yes, even if you test positive for GBS, your placenta is safe for consumption. That goes for if you have COVID, if your baby poops in the womb (meconium), if you have a low grade fever, etc. There are very few instances when the placenta would be unsafe for consumption.

Read more about placenta encapsulation and GBS here.

Short answer: Yes, in most cases.

Many clients who experienced preeclampsia during pregnancy have safely taken placenta capsules postpartum without any complications. Preeclampsia affects the pregnancy, but once the placenta is delivered and encapsulated properly, it’s typically safe for consumption.

The placenta is thoroughly steamed and dehydrated during the encapsulation process, which minimizes any remaining risks. That said, as with any postpartum remedy, it’s always good to pay attention to how you feel and communicate with your provider.

Some providers may raise concerns, often out of caution rather than evidence-based risks—because there’s still limited formal research on placenta encapsulation and preeclampsia. But in practice, most people who've had preeclampsia report no negative effects.

Disclaimer: This is not medical advice. It’s based on experience and anecdotal evidence. Always consult with your healthcare provider and trust your instincts.

Short answer: Yes, you likely can.

Many people with gestational diabetes (GD) have taken placenta capsules without any issues. While every body is different, most find that the capsules do not impact blood sugar levels. Some choose to monitor their levels a bit more closely at first, just in case, but very few ever report needing to adjust their dosage.

If you do notice a shift in how you feel or in your blood sugar readings, it’s safe to take a break from the capsules, allow your body to reset, and try again later.

It’s important to note that while some doctors may discourage placenta encapsulation for GD, that’s often due to limited research or caution—not because of known harm. Always consult your provider, but remember: the final decision is yours.

Disclaimer: This is not medical advice. Just information based on experience and research. Always do what feels right for you.