Is placenta encapsulation safe during pregnancy?

What does the evidence say about placenta encapsulation during pregnancy?

1. CDC investigated recurrent group B streptococcal bloodstream infection in an infant whose mother's placenta capsules carried a genetically indistinguishable strain. Other transmission could not be fully excluded, but CDC concluded that encapsulation does not reliably eradicate pathogens and advised avoiding the capsules. 1
2. A clinical review found no established human clinical benefit from placentophagy and concluded that claims about postpartum physical or psychological benefit were based largely on anecdotes and self-report rather than adequate trials. 2
3. A randomized double-blind pilot assigned 23 healthy participants to placenta capsules or beef placebo and found no significant between-group differences in hemoglobin, ferritin, or transferrin through three weeks postpartum. The small study mostly involved participants without late-pregnancy iron deficiency. 3
4. Laboratory analysis of 28 processed placentas detected 14 trace elements. At the study's capsule intake, iron averaged about 24% of the lactation recommended allowance, while potentially harmful elements were below established thresholds. Composition data do not establish clinical benefit or product-to-product consistency. 4
5. A laboratory study of 28 processed placentas detected 16 of 17 measured hormones after steaming and dehydration, some at concentrations the authors thought might have physiologic effects. The study measured contents only and did not establish absorption, desired effects, or postpartum safety. 5

How this changes over time

• Immediately after birth, placenta capsules should not substitute for assessment of heavy bleeding, anemia, infection, severe headache, mood symptoms, or feeding difficulty. CDC found that dehydration alone does not reliably eradicate pathogens.
• During the early postpartum weeks, a small randomized pilot found no significant improvement in maternal iron measures compared with beef placebo. Anyone with suspected iron deficiency needs laboratory assessment and clinician-directed iron care rather than placenta capsules alone.
• Later postpartum claims about milk supply, energy, or mood remain unsupported by adequate clinical trials. Persistent low mood, anxiety, intrusive thoughts, low milk transfer, or fatigue deserves direct assessment because a capsule can delay useful care.