An Ancient Practice, a Modern Conversation

Placenta encapsulation, the process of dehydrating the placenta and placing it into capsules for the birthing parent to consume, has become one of the most talked-about postpartum practices in recent years. While it might sound unconventional to some, it draws on a long history of traditional medicine and is chosen by a growing number of parents who are looking for natural postpartum support.

Whether you are curious, skeptical, or already planning to encapsulate, here is a comprehensive look at what the practice involves.

What Is Placenta Encapsulation?

After birth, the placenta (the organ that nourished your baby throughout pregnancy) is typically discarded as medical waste. With encapsulation, the placenta is instead preserved, processed, and turned into capsules that are taken like a daily supplement during the postpartum period.

Preparation Methods

There are two primary methods:

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Method. The placenta is steamed with warming herbs (often ginger, lemon, and green chili pepper) before being dehydrated and ground into powder. This method is rooted in TCM principles of restoring warmth and balance after birth.

Raw Method. The placenta is sliced, dehydrated at low temperatures without steaming, and then ground into powder. Proponents of this method believe that lower temperatures preserve more of the placenta's hormones and nutrients.

In both cases, the resulting powder is placed into vegetable capsules. A typical placenta yields between 100 and 200 capsules, depending on size.

Other Preparations

Some specialists also offer:

  • Placenta tincture. A small piece of raw placenta is steeped in alcohol for several weeks, creating a tincture that can be used long after the capsules are gone. Some parents save it for times of hormonal transition like weaning or menstruation returning.
  • Placenta salve. The placenta is infused into a balm for topical use.
  • Placenta smoothie. A small piece of raw placenta blended into a fruit smoothie, sometimes taken in the first hours after birth.

Why People Choose It

Parents who encapsulate their placentas report a range of benefits. It is important to note that most of these are anecdotal and self-reported, which does not make them less real for the people experiencing them, but it does mean the evidence is personal rather than clinical.

Commonly Reported Benefits

  • Improved mood and energy. Many parents report feeling more emotionally stable and less fatigued compared to previous postpartum experiences without encapsulation.
  • Increased milk supply. Some parents credit their capsules with boosting or stabilizing their breast milk production.
  • Faster recovery. Reports of reduced postpartum bleeding and quicker return to baseline energy levels.
  • Hormonal balance. The placenta contains hormones including estrogen, progesterone, and oxytocin. The theory is that reintroducing these hormones gradually may ease the dramatic hormonal drop that occurs after birth.
  • Iron replenishment. The placenta is rich in iron, which may help address the iron depletion common after childbirth.

What the Research Says

Transparency matters here. The formal research on placenta encapsulation is limited, and the studies that do exist are small. A few key points:

  • A 2018 study published in the journal Women and Birth found that placenta capsules did contain detectable levels of hormones, though in small amounts.
  • The same research group found modest increases in iron levels in participants who took placenta capsules versus a placebo.
  • No large-scale clinical trials have conclusively demonstrated the benefits that are anecdotally reported.
  • The CDC published a case report in 2017 about a newborn who developed a Group B Strep infection linked to contaminated placenta capsules, underscoring the importance of proper handling and preparation.

The absence of robust research does not mean the practice is without value. It means the scientific community has not yet invested in studying it at scale. Many traditional practices that parents find helpful fall into this same category.

Safety Considerations

If you choose placenta encapsulation, safety and preparation quality matter:

  • Choose a trained specialist. Look for someone who has completed formal training in placenta encapsulation and follows food safety protocols, including temperature monitoring, sanitized equipment, and proper handling.
  • Timing matters. The placenta should be refrigerated within a few hours of birth and processed within 48 hours for the raw method, or frozen if processing will be delayed.
  • Communicate with your birth team. Let your midwife, OB, or hospital staff know in advance that you plan to keep your placenta. Some hospitals have specific release forms or procedures.
  • Consider your health history. If you had an infection during pregnancy or birth (like chorioamnionitis), discuss the implications with your provider before encapsulating.
  • Storage. Finished capsules should be stored in the refrigerator or freezer and taken within a few months.

How to Find a Specialist

Placenta encapsulation is often offered by postpartum doulas who have completed additional training in the practice. When interviewing specialists, ask about:

  • Their training and certification
  • Their preparation method (TCM vs. raw)
  • Their food safety protocols
  • How they handle, transport, and store the placenta
  • Their turnaround time
  • References from past clients

You can find doulas who offer placenta encapsulation through BAABY's provider directory. Many list encapsulation as one of their services alongside postpartum support.

Making Your Decision

Placenta encapsulation is a personal choice. It is not for everyone, and there is no pressure either way. If it resonates with you, do your research, choose a qualified specialist, and discuss it with your birth team. If it does not feel right, that is equally valid.

What matters most is that you have the information to make an informed decision that aligns with your values and your vision for postpartum recovery.