Is It Safe To Take Placenta Pills After Birth? The Benefits And Risks

As far as health trends go, this is not the most appealing… or should we say appetizing of them all! However, it could be really beneficial for your health as a new mother. We’re talking about placenta pills – a method of ingesting the placenta (yes, your actual placenta) after it's been steamed, dehydrated, ground, and neatly contained in pills.

Celebrities like Coleen Rooney, Hilary Duff, Chrissy Teigan, and the Kardashians are all placenta pill advocates, and there are many reputable, professional, and accredited encapsulation services to boot. But we definitely don't do things just because the celebs do them... so we wanted to dig into the research to give you the information you need to know.

We want to be clear all here, there is no scientific evidence that shows a direct benefit of consuming the placenta to the mother. Although the placenta itself is full of beneficial nutrients, there is not yet evidence to suggest that new mothers can gain much through consuming it, and in fact, there are risks associated with it. So please read the full post & discuss all of your options with your healthcare provider before going forward with consuming your placenta. 

What is the placenta? 

Let’s start with a quick reminder on what exactly the function of the placenta is. It's the organ that surrounds the fetus in the womb and allows for the exchange of nutrients, blood, and waste between the mother and baby. It is expelled from the body after you give birth.

By its nature, the placenta is incredibly nutrient dense. It contains A, C, D, and B vitamins, loads of minerals, and other substances necessary for fetal growth such as fatty acids, amino acids, and glucose. It also holds the reproductive hormones estrogen, progesterone, and oxytocin, which all decline after you give birth.

What is Placentophagy?

Placentophagy is the act of consuming the placenta after birth, whether through encapsulation (placenta pills) or other methods. The custom of placenta consumption is actually a centuries-old tradition found most often in Chinese medicine, it has gained more widespread interest in recent years – especially on social media. Today, the process of consuming it is through pills where the placenta has been ground, steamed, dehydrated, and encapsulated, which usually only takes a day or two. Plus it's much more... palatable.

The suggestion is that consuming the placenta can help reduce a mother’s risk of postpartum depression, increase overall energy, and support milk production. While that all sounds great, it is important to know that placentophagy has not shown any scientific evidence of improving maternal health. 

Are there actually benefits of eating your placenta after birth?

Research around the benefits of eating your placenta after birth – in the form of pills or otherwise – is very limited, so if this is something you are considering please discuss this option with your healthcare provider before going forward with consuming your placenta. 

It is speculated that consuming your placenta following birth could have the following positive effects:

• Increased release of oxytocin, which helps the uterus return to normal size and encourages bonding with baby

• Increased levels of CRH, a stress-reducing hormone

• A decreased risk of postpartum depression 

• A reduction in postpartum bleeding

• Boosted energy levels

• Stimulation of the immune system

• Restored iron levels in the blood

• Increased milk production

To date, there is no scientific evidence that shows a direct benefit of consuming the placenta to the mother. Although the placenta itself is full of beneficial nutrients, there is not yet evidence to suggest that new mothers can gain much through consuming it. 

Are there risks associated with eating your placenta after birth? 

Yes, there are risks that are associated with eating your placenta after birth. The placenta can contain toxins such as mercury, lead, and aluminum, so consuming it may be dangerous to your health. 

Whether the placenta is consumed raw, cooked, in smoothies, or in pill form, the preparations don't completely destroy infectious bacteria and viruses that the placenta might contain.

Risks associated with the placenta encapsulation process: 

There are also risks associated with the actual encapsulation process that happens when placenta pills are made. If the placenta has not been properly handled during this process, it can pose a risk of infection, which could be passed onto your baby through breastfeeding. There are very few standards set when it comes to the encapsulation process & the CDC has warned against the encapsulation process for this reason. 

It is also important to ensure that if you do make the personal choice to encapsulate your placenta, your pills must be stored correctly (in a cool, dark place but not in the fridge) and should only be ingested by you, the mother. 

You can support your postpartum recovery in other ways. 

• Eat protein-rich foods such as milk, cheese, yogurt, meat, fish, and beans

• Drink plenty of fluids, especially if you are breastfeeding your baby

• Eat lots of fruit and vegetables as they contain vitamins, minerals, and fiber

• Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and junk foods

• Get as much rest as you can

• Look after your mental health as much as you can

Read Baby2Body’s Guide To Postpartum Recovery for all of the information you need for each week of postpartum.

Any questions, leave them in the comments.

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