Taking Your Placenta
What Is It?
Placenta encapsulation is the process of using steam and high-heat dehydration to prepare the placenta to be ground and placed into capsules for post-birth consumption. There are alternative methods to consuming the placenta (raw, cooked, roasted, and tincture form), although encapsulation is the most common method. The idea of consuming the placenta was first documented in the 1970s (1) in North America and is still a relatively uncommon practice, although it is gaining traction as homebirth and the use of Midwifery practices are growing in the US.
Why Have Your Placenta Encapsulated?
While the research is still limited as it is a fairly new practice in the US, it is increasing in popularity for its potential postpartum benefits to the mother. At present, most data regarding the benefits of placental encapsulation are personal testimony and observation. Some of the reported benefits include helping reduce the impact of postpartum depression (the most commonly reported reason for pursuing placenta encapsulation) (2), boosting milk supply, improving energy levels, reducing postpartum bleeding, reducing postpartum pain, improving immune function, and replenishing lost nutrients and hormones (3). There are additional suggested benefits for menstruation, hormone regulation, sleep disturbances, etc., but for the interest of the pregnant and postpartum woman, we will stay within the confines of the postpartum benefits.
What’s In Your Placenta?
There are several nutrients, elements, and hormones found in the human placenta,
including, but not limited to:
* Vitamin B6
* Vitamin B12
* Vitamin E
* Cytokines
* Iron
* Stem Cells
* Estrogen
* Progesterone
* Testosterone
* Prolactin
* Oxytocin
* Placental Opioid Enhancing Factor
* Thyroid Stimulating Hormone
* Corticotropin Releasing Hormone
* Cortisone
* Interferon
* Prostaglandins
* Hemoglobin
* Immunoglobin G
Although these nutrients and hormones exist in the placenta, the research is lacking regarding how well they are maintained during the encapsulation process. One study examined 28 placentas, specifically looking at 17 hormones present in the placenta to assess if the hormones were preserved through the steaming and dehydration process. They found that 16 of the hormones were still present and a few were in levels high enough to potentially have a physiological impact on the consumer (5).
A double-blind, pilot study was conducted (part of a larger, ongoing study) evaluating the levels of iron in placenta capsules vs. a beef placebo. They found that the levels of iron in the placenta pills were significantly higher than the beef pills, but only provided 24% of the RDA, and there was not a clear increase in the blood levels between the two groups (7).
While there is a widespread list of beneficial elements in your placenta that are believed to offer postpartum benefits, the evidence is lacking on the actual level of viable hormones, minerals, and nutrients available once encapsulated, as well as what the available dosages offer the body.
What Potential Benefits Does Placenta Encapsulation Offer?
If you do a quick online search, you will find countless websites, mom blogs, and forums that list the benefits of placenta encapsulation. For the interest of full comprehension on what placenta encapsulation can offer, I am focusing on what is available in the literature.
One study looked at medical records of women and used their obstetric history to predict likelihood of choosing placenta encapsulation, as well as neonatal outcomes. Of the records reviewed, approximately 1/3 of women consumed the placenta during the postpartum period. Of the women who chose to take the placenta, there were no adverse outcomes for the neonates, and the primary reason for choosing to take the placenta was to help prevent or lessen the effects of postpartum depression (2). While the data is not conclusive on whether the benefits were a byproduct of the placebo effect, there is a perceived value based on the notion of hormone and nutrient replenishment.
As mentioned, many women believe consuming their placenta during the postpartum period, or 4th trimester, can help alleviate many of the common symptoms women face. In a 2013 study of 189 women who consumed their placenta postpartum, 98% stated they would follow the same practice in future pregnancies due to perceived benefits. However, the data does not clearly demonstrate whether this is due to actual physiological benefits vs. placebo effect (8).
Potential Concerns:
The placenta acts as a filter for your baby, so one concern with placenta consumption is intake of heavy metals. A small sample study was conducted in 2017 to assess the nutritional value of the placenta from uncomplicated, term deliveries of singletons. They found that the placentas were high in cholesterol, iron, protein, and selenium, but no levels of heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, or mercury were detected. While encouraging information, their study was limited by size (10 placentas were studied) (9). Another study evaluated the presence of 14 trace minerals and elements including heavy metals and, like the previously mentioned study, also found that the levels of heavy metals fell well below the safety threshold set by the FDA (4).
Infection or poisoning are another concern due to the raw nature of placenta encapsulation. In 2017, a report was released by the CDC regarding a potential neonatal infection from a mother who was taking placenta pills, which were found to have trace amounts of GBS. The neonate tested positive at birth, and the source of the infection was not definitively confirmed, but it is a consideration for safety (10). Although it’s not a clear contraindication, it is advised that those who test positive for GBS discuss their options with their provider and consider the potential risk involved. Regardless of GBS status, finding a company who uses proper sanitary techniques, as well as a proper heating process to mitigate bacterial risk is of high importance (11).
Absolute contraindications for placenta consumption include any uterine infection, improper handling of the placenta after delivery, toxin or chemical exposure, and a placenta that is not fully intact (12).
General Considerations:
It is advised to not take the placenta capsules if feeling unwell or fevered due to the raw nature of the placental tissue. Consumption can be resumed once feeling well. Store in a dark, dry space in an amber jar (generally provided via your encapsulation provider of choice) for up to 6 months. If you still have pills after 6 months, store them in the freezer. The number of pills you have is entirely dependent upon the size of your placenta, but, in general, you will receive between 100-200 pills.
There is no set standard for the encapsulation process, so it’s important you seek out a reputable company with high standards for sanitary and sterile preparation and processing.
Placenta capsules are not meant to be a sole source of essential nutrients and vitamins. As a postpartum woman with high nutrient demands, the primary source of nutrients should come from high protein, mineral-rich foods. Another high priority should be electrolytes and hydration to support the body’s needs and breastfeeding support. Additional needs are dependent based upon the woman’s specific symptoms and needs; however, placenta encapsulation can act as a positive secondary support.
Dosing:
Due to the variable nature of placentas – size, nutrient and hormonal makeup, etc. – there is no precise dosing. The recommendation is to begin with 1 pill a day and assess your body’s response. For example, do you feel any change in energy levels, notice a difference in milk supply, have improved metal clarity, etc.? If you tolerate 1 pill well, increase to 2 pills daily. You can continue to increase dosing up to 3 pills a day based on your body’s response. It is possible that your body does not respond well to the encapsulated placenta (headache, upset stomach, mild flu-like symptoms, etc.). If so, discontinue usage.
Current Medical Recommendation:
As additional testing and research is needed to clearly define the benefits and risks of placenta encapsulation and consumption, the standard medical guideline is to avoid the practice. Currently, there is no CDC or FDA approval. However, there are countless testimonials from women who have participated in the practice, and it is often recommended among Midwives, Lactation Consultants, Doulas, and via word of mouth between mothers due to its observed benefits and efficacy (8) (13) (14).
Personal Testimony:
I made the decision to have my placenta encapsulated following the birth of my second son. When I was pregnant with my first son, it wasn’t something I was aware of as an option, but I had a very challenging postpartum experience after my first delivery. I had an emergency C-section after a long labor, and my recovery was slow and intensive. It also took me close to a year to feel like myself again, so I was naturally interested in pursuing options that had the possibility of supplementing my nutrition and recovery efforts. I began taking the placenta pills approximately 3 weeks postpartum and quickly noticed improved energy, an increase in my milk supply, and improved complexion. While the improved energy could be placebo effect, the improved complexion was noticed by others. Regarding the increased milk supply, I was exclusively breastfeeding without the aid of a bottle on a consistent schedule, and I needed to begin add-on pumping sessions to relieve the fullness. Due to an unrelated medical event, I stopped taking the capsules for roughly a month and when I resumed taking them, all the aforementioned benefits returned. I have since taken all my capsules. Based on my personal experience, I have been very pleased with the choice to have my placenta encapsulated and, assuming no medical contraindications, I would elect to have it encapsulated again with any future pregnancies.
How To Have Your Placenta Encapsulated:
If you are in the Nashville or surrounding area, I recommend TN Placenta Services. They pick up your placenta from your birthplace, prepare it for encapsulation, and mail you your placenta pills along with any other products you select from their service list.
If you are birthing in a hospital or birth center, you will need to take a cooler and clean bag with you to put the placenta into after birth. The birth center or hospital can provide ice to keep it cold until pickup. Additionally, you will need to communicate your placenta preferences to your birth team (OB, Midwife, Nurses, Doula, Partner) to ensure proper handling and transportation to your placenta encapsulation provider. Women with elective or emergency c-sections are eligible for encapsulation.
If you are birthing at home, you can place the placenta in an enclosed, clean bag in your refrigerator until it can be picked up by your encapsulating provider.
Bottom Line:
Placental encapsulation is a practice you can discuss with your healthcare provider to help determine your own comfort level and where placenta encapsulation falls on the risk vs. benefit scale for you, assuming you do not have any medical complications that exclude you from eligibility.
There is a need for additional research to assess the full spectrum of the proposed benefits, as well as conclusive evidence regarding the potential risks. It is a growing practice in the US as many women, including myself, have noticed significant benefits in our postpartum journeys.
If you have any questions that aren’t answered here or additional concerns you’d like to discuss, please reach out to me!