Exploring Placenta Encapsulation Benefits: What's Real?

Curious about placenta encapsulation? It’s a topic buzzing in birth groups and among moms, with some swearing by its benefits for postpartum recovery. But does it really live up to the hype? In this post, we’ll break down the most talked-about placenta encapsulation benefits, explore the pros and cons, and help you decide what’s best for you.

This post may contain affiliate links to products. I receive a commission for purchases made through these links, at no extra cost to you. Read my full disclaimer here.

Placenta encapsulation has become a popular topic in the world of postpartum recovery. It’s one of those things you might hear about from other moms or see talked about in birth groups online.

But what are the real benefits of placenta encapsulation (or “placentophagy” as it’s scientifically known), and does it actually live up to the hype? Let’s break down the pros and cons you hear most often and get to the truth behind them.

Pros and Cons of Placenta Encapsulation

Here are the most common benefits and drawbacks people talk about when it comes to placenta encapsulation:

Benefits:

Improves hormone levels (for pain relief, bonding, and recovery)
Increases energy
Boosts milk supply
Helps prevent postpartum depression
Replenishes lost nutrients

Drawbacks:

Limited scientific evidence
Risk of contamination or infection
Can be expensive
Doesn’t treat anemia
Some find it unappealing

Let’s dig deeper into those benefits and drawbacks and see where the science stacks up with the stories.

Breaking Down the Pros

Many women and midwives believe in the benefits of placenta encapsulation. Let’s explore which claims are backed by evidence and what else you might want to keep in mind.

Hormone Levels

One of the reasons placenta encapsulation is believed to help postpartum recovery is because the placenta contains hormones that could aid in various aspects of healing. These hormones, such as oxytocin and prostaglandins, play key roles in postpartum healing and adjusting.

Oxytocin promotes bonding and connection between mother and baby. It also helps stimulate uterine contractions, which can lessen postpartum bleeding and speed up the process of the uterus shrinking back to its original size.

Oxytocin may also reduce the experience of pain (such as from after pains).

However, while these hormones do have key roles and are present in the placenta, the quantities are significantly reduced during the encapsulation process. Plus, it’s unclear how much of these hormones can be absorbed by the body when taken in capsule form.

So while there might be potential upsides here, the evidence can’t conclusively support this benefit of placenta encapsulation.

Energy

A lot of moms report feeling more energetic after taking placenta capsules, and this is one of the top reasons people choose to do it. The placenta does contain iron, which could help fight off fatigue if your iron levels are low.

However, even though iron is the highest trace element in placenta capsules, it only meets about a quarter of your daily needs. So, while it might help a little, it’s not a complete solution for postpartum fatigue.

Plus, some experts suggest that any energy boost might just be a placebo effect. But if it works for you, it might be worth it anyways!

Milk Supply

There are many stories of women saying that placenta capsules helped them produce more breast milk. But so far the science hasn’t been able to back this up.

While placenta capsules do contain detectable levels of hormones like progesterone and estradiol, the amounts are diminished during the steaming and dehydration process used to prepare them.

Even with these hormones present, there’s no strong evidence to suggest they have a meaningful impact on milk supply.

Postpartum Depression

This one is tricky. Some moms believe that placenta encapsulation helped prevent or lessen their postpartum depression (PPD). And their experiences are valid. But the science hasn’t caught up with those claims.

Interestingly, what the science has suggested is that taking placenta capsules is correlated with PPD (meaning when one goes up, the other does too).

This is quite likely NOT because placenta capsules cause PPD, as it may seem at first glance.

Actually, one theory suggests there may be reverse causality at play—meaning that moms who are already at risk for PPD might turn to placenta encapsulation in an attempt to prevent it.

This can create the appearance that the capsules are associated with PPD, when in fact, women who are anticipating PPD are simply more likely to seek out placenta capsules. Chances are they may have experienced PPD regardless of their choice to encapsulate.

In short, studies have not proven any real protection against PPD yet.

Plus, like I explained earlier, steroid hormones like those in the placenta are poorly absorbed when taken orally. So while there’s a lot of hope here, we don’t have solid answers yet.

Lost Nutrients

The placenta is rich in nutrients like iron, protein, and hormones, which makes sense—it supported your baby’s growth for nine months! However, while these nutrients are present in the placenta, the amount you get from capsules is quite small.

If you’re looking to replace lost nutrients, it’s best to simply focus on eating a nutrient-rich diet.

Breaking Down the Cons

Now for the other side of the story—here’s what you should know about the potential downsides.

Scientific Evidence

One of the biggest drawbacks of placenta encapsulation is that the science just isn’t there yet.

Most of the benefits you hear about are based on personal stories, not clinical studies. And some of the research that does exist is either too small or too old to be considered reliable.

So while the benefits of placenta encapsulation might be real for some moms, we don’t have enough solid data to say for sure, scientifically.

Risk of Contamination or Infection

This is a real concern if your placenta isn’t handled properly. The placenta isn’t sterile, and it can be contaminated with bacteria.

Steaming and dehydration do reduce this risk, but it’s still important to make sure you’re working with an experienced professional who knows how to process it safely.

In addition to bacteria, placenta capsules can contain toxic elements, which has been a concern for some moms. While placentas do house some harmful elements like arsenic and lead, studies have provided evidence that the quantities of each in a placenta capsule are well below the toxic threshold.

So while the overall risk of infection and contamination is pretty low, it is something to be aware of.

Expense

Placenta encapsulation services can be costly depending on where you live and who you hire to do it. For some moms, the potential benefits are worth the price. But for others, it might feel like an unnecessary expense—especially when there are other ways to support your recovery.

Anemia

As mentioned earlier, while placenta capsules do contain iron, they simply don’t provide enough to treat or prevent anemia. If you’re struggling with low iron levels, you’ll likely need to look into other dietary changes or supplements in addition to the capsules.

(Un)Appeal

Let’s be honest—eating your own placenta, even in capsule form, isn’t for everyone. Some moms just aren’t into it, whether for cultural, personal, or health reasons. And that’s okay!

It’s important to remember that placenta encapsulation is an option, not a requirement, for postpartum healing.

3 Things Some People Miss

Before we finish, let’s explore a few more aspects to keep in mind when deciding whether to go for placenta encapsulation or not.

Each Placenta is Unique

One thing some women don’t realize is that not all placentas are equal. The hormone and nutrient content in the placenta varies from woman to woman. That means that the benefits of placenta encapsulation can be very different depending on your unique situation.

Some women may feel great taking their capsules, while others might not notice much of a difference at all.

In short, the effects aren’t guaranteed, and it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution.

Raw vs Encapsulated

We’ve been talking about placenta encapsulation, but it’s good to know that some of the benefits of consuming your placenta are actually increased if the placenta is raw.

Some women can’t even think about eating the placenta raw and that is totally okay. But a raw placenta (frozen and eaten in smoothies, for example) may contain more of the good stuff since it hasn’t been heated or dehydrated.

For example, raw placenta has substantially more human placental lactogen, which helps during pregnancy to prepare your body for breastfeeding. Because of that, consuming raw placenta may boost milk supply more than placenta capsules.

At the same time, raw placenta may also contain more of the “bad stuff.” Like we covered earlier, placentas aren’t sterile. They can contain bacteria. You and your baby can get sick from it, and it’s more likely if the placenta hasn’t been heated at all.

Avoid Anesthetics

If you received anesthetics during labor, especially general anesthesia, experts recommend against consuming your placenta. Anesthetics often contain opioids and other ingredients that can be absorbed into the placenta and which you should avoid consuming after giving birth.

Conclusion: You’ve Got This, Mama!

At the end of the day, the benefits of placenta encapsulation are still up for debate. While some moms swear by it, the science hasn’t confirmed it yet.

The good news is that you get to make the decision that feels right for you. Trust your body and your instincts—that’s the best bet you’ve got.

And remember, your body was made to give birth AND to recover. Whether you choose to encapsulate your placenta or not, you’ve got this!

Until next time,

Allison

30 Diaper Changing Hacks You’ll Wish You’d Known Sooner

10 Tips for Successful Breastfeeding

Not Pregnant? Here’s What Happens if You Take Prenatal Vitamins

Exploring Placenta Encapsulation Benefits: What’s Real?