Alright, What’s The Deal With Placenta Capsules?

If you’ve ever had, or are planning to, have a baby you may be familiar with the concept of placenta capsules.

After the baby is delivered, then comes the placenta – the life-giving organ that provides nutrition and safety to the foetus and baby throughout pregnancy.

Most people discard of the placenta after delivery, but some choose to consume it – people like Calvin Harris and his partner Vick Hope, who recently welcomed their first child.

Calvin shared photos of the home birth on social media; pictures of his newborn son, the birthing pool where he came into the world, the placenta that protected him for nine months, and finally, the pills made of this placenta.

 

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But what actually are placenta capsules, and why do some mothers opt to have them made after birth?

What are placenta capsules?

Placenta capsules are, as it says on the tin, capsules made from placenta.

Some companies offer a service where they will take the placenta post birth, steaming it to remove bacteria, and dehydrating it to place it in a pill format.

The process of consuming the placenta after giving birth is called placentophagy. It is most common among animals, but has risen in popularity in humans over the past few decades – particularly in the US.

One service offering placenta encapsulation in the UK includes a “free cord keepsake in an organza bag”.

Are there benefits of taking placenta capsules?

There are no studies to suggest that eating the placenta after birth has any health benefits.

However some people believe that consuming placenta, via pills or raw, can help with postpartum depression, increase iron levels, and provide other nutrients.

Some services even suggest that consuming placenta can reduce the amount a mother bleeds after giving birth, however most placenta pills can take up to 72 hours to dehydrate and incapsulate.

Is it safe?

In short, no. Placenta encapsulation isn’t regulated, and therefore this is no standardised way of preparing placenta to consume.

According to Mayo Clinic, there is a chance that some bacteria and viruses may remain inside the placenta, which could then be passed back to the mother and/or newborn if consumed.

They point to a case in the US where a newborn baby contracted group B streptococcus, after its mother ate placenta capsules. The capsules then tested positive for the infection.

If you are concerned about your health, energy levels, or mental health postpartum, you should speak to a medical professional about what the best course of action is.