Placenta Encapsulation – Is It Right For You?

Placenta Encapsulation: An Informed, Personal Choice

Placenta encapsulation is one option some families choose when considering how to honor and work with the placenta after the birth of their baby. If you’re like many people giving birth in the Chicago area, you may be surprised to find yourself even considering doing anything with your placenta at all. Pregnancy and birth often open the door to new curiosities and perspectives, including interest in traditions and practices that may have once felt unfamiliar or unnecessary.

The placenta is a remarkable organ. During pregnancy, it supports your baby by facilitating the exchange of oxygen and nutrients and by participating in the complex hormonal environment that sustains pregnancy and prepares the body for labor. Its role is essential and temporary, and once birth is complete, families are left to decide what feels most aligned for them—whether that means burial, ritual, donation, or consumption.

While there is limited scientific research on placenta encapsulation and no conclusive evidence supporting specific outcomes, many families are drawn to this practice through personal stories, cultural traditions, and anecdotal experience. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, for example, the placenta has historically been used as a restorative substance, particularly in the postpartum period, which is viewed as a time requiring warmth, nourishment, and support. Heng Ou, author of The First Forty Days, describes this tradition as one way cultures have sought to care for the postpartum body using available resources.

Placenta consumption has been discussed more openly in the United States since the 1980s, as people giving birth began sharing their experiences publicly. Since then, interest in placenta encapsulation has grown, along with the availability of different preparation methods.

Some people choose to consume small amounts of placenta raw, while others prefer encapsulation for its convenience and ease of use. Encapsulation involves processing the placenta into capsules that can be taken gradually over time and stored safely until finished.

At Holistic Family Doulas, placenta encapsulation is the method we offer for families who choose this service. Our process involves steaming the placenta before dehydrating it, then grinding it into a powder and placing it into capsules. These steps are part of a risk-reduction approach intended to support safe handling and preparation.

---

Why Some Families Consider Placenta Encapsulation

Families choose placenta encapsulation for many different reasons. In our experience serving Chicago-area families, people are often curious about how this practice might support their overall postpartum experience, including energy levels, emotional steadiness, and the transition into early parenthood.

Some people choose to take placenta capsules gradually over time, while others stop sooner or choose not to continue at all. Responses vary widely. While many families report neutral or positive experiences, there are no guarantees, and placenta encapsulation should not be viewed as a solution or treatment for postpartum challenges.

One consideration that often comes up is timing. Because the placenta is only available at the time of birth, families who want to keep this option open must decide in advance whether they would like their placenta saved for possible processing.

---

Choosing a Placenta Encapsulation Provider

If you are considering placenta encapsulation, it’s important to choose someone who is transparent, experienced, and committed to safe handling practices. This industry is not regulated, and standards can vary.

Questions you may want to ask include:

• Where did you receive your training?
• Have you completed bloodborne pathogen safety education?
• What protective equipment do you use during processing?
• How do you prevent cross-contamination between clients?
• How should we communicate around labor and birth timing?
• What do I need to do immediately after the placenta is born?

Having these conversations ahead of time helps ensure clarity, safety, and shared expectations. Working with Holistic Family Doulas, these are the standards you deserve and can expect.

---

Working With Holistic Family Doulas

When families choose placenta encapsulation through Holistic Family Doulas, they are also supported by a team deeply familiar with the postpartum period. While encapsulation is a standalone service, our broader background in birth and postpartum care allows us to offer thoughtful guidance, referrals and general support as families navigate early recovery and life with a newborn.

More than anything, our approach is grounded in respect—for your body, your choices and your postpartum experience. We value transparency, informed decision-making, and care that is centered on you.

Placenta encapsulation is a personal choice. For some, it feels meaningful; for others, it does not. The placenta has already done extraordinary work by the time your baby is born. Whether or not you choose encapsulation, there are many ways to honor your body and the transition you are moving through.

Important Note
Placenta encapsulation is a personal choice and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any medical or mental health condition. Scientific research on placenta consumption is limited, and experiences vary widely from person to person. Information shared here is for educational purposes only and should not replace medical advice from a qualified healthcare provider. If you have questions about postpartum recovery, lactation or your individual health history, we encourage you to consult your midwife, physician or other licensed healthcare professional before deciding whether placenta encapsulation is right for you.