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Nurturing Mothers, One Placenta at a Time
Possible benefits of encapsulation
Medically reviewed by Dr. Swati Chitnis, MS, DNB
Written by Vidya Tadapatri, MSc (Biotechnology)
Edited by Rebecca Malachi, BSc
Fact-checked by Dr. Joyani Das, M.Pharm, PhD
Last Updated on Mar 20, 2025
Placenta encapsulation is thought to provide nourishment to new mothers and help them cope with the physical and emotional demands of childbirth. It may also contain beneficial nutrients and hormones. Although there is a shortage of credible research backing the benefits of placenta encapsulation, it is believed to confer the following holistic health advantages to mothers post-childbirth.
- Boosting energy because it boost iron stores
- Controlling postpartum bleeding
- Reducing mood swings
- Enhancing mother-infant emotional bonding
- Promoting milk production
- Alleviating pain
- Preventing stress and postpartum depression
Placenta – Worth Trying? Human Maternal Placentophagy: Possible Benefit and Potential Risks - PMC
Placenta – Worth Trying? Human Maternal Placentophagy: Possible Benefit and Potential Risks - PMC
What are the 'potential' risks
The placenta is a filter that protects baby from some of the heavy metals and viruses that mom may experience. If you are a smoker and smoked throughout pregnancy then there is no point in encapsulating your placenta. It will be full of heavy metals including arsenic and cadmium. We could often smell smoke on the placentas of women that we attended during birth!
As far as viruses go, using the Traditional Chinese Medicine method the placenta is steamed on both sides for 20 minutes thus killing any bacteria or viruses. It is then dehydrated to 160 degrees for up to 24 hours. Bacteria and mold need moisture and oxygen to survive and we remove absolutely all traces of moisture.
Years of experience has taught me, as a lactation educator and counsellor, that placenta pills can have an adverse effect on your milk supply if started too soon!
Your body needs time for its prolactin levels to rise and peak on day three, longer if you had a c-section. Progesterone inhibits prolactin production and the placenta is loaded with it.
However, once your milk has come in, placenta pills can significantly improve the amount of milk that you make. The only time that I would start pills before day three is if your milk doesn't come in. Then, placenta pills initiate and improve your supply. Weird right!
Stop taking your pills if you develop a blocked duct or mastitis! Resume them a minimum of one week past all symptoms.