The Benefits of Placenta Encapsulation for Postpartum Healing

Disclaimer: Placenta encapsulation is a personal choice. Please do your own research and consult with your doctor before consumption.

You’ve just brought a tiny human into the world.

Your body is raw, your hormones are swinging, and your energy feels like it’s been scattered across the universe.

And there it is, the placenta, a symbol of everything your body just did, and everything it will continue to do.

For some families, what comes next is placenta encapsulation. A practice that might feel mysterious or even a little taboo, but one that many people turn to for postpartum healing.

A Tradition That Spans Centuries

Placenta consumption isn’t new. Across cultures and history, humans have recognized the placenta as a potent source of nourishment and restoration.

In traditional Chinese medicine, dried placenta powder has been used to support lactation, improve reproductive function, and restore vitality after birth. In Argentina, native ethnic groups historically used powdered umbilical cord to aid sick children. And in central India, the indigenous Kol people have long relied on the placenta to enhance postpartum recovery (Johnson et al., 2028).

Even in nature, placenta consumption is common. Many mammals, including deer and giraffes, consume their afterbirth to protect their young and regain strength (Aggarwal, 2023).

The Benefits of Placenta Encapsulation

Placenta encapsulation involves steaming, dehydrating, and grinding your placenta into a fine powder, which is then placed into capsules. It’s meant to provide a convenient way to consume the placenta safely and gradually over the weeks after birth.

Advocates suggest this practice may help with:

• Hormonal balance — Supporting the body’s adjustment after birth, especially estrogen and progesterone fluctuations.

• Mood stabilization — Helping reduce the intensity of postpartum blues or anxiety.

• Energy restoration — Supporting recovery and replenishing nutrients lost during pregnancy and delivery.

• Milk production support — Encouraging lactation through nutrient-rich supplementation.

  
  

While research is still emerging, historical use and anecdotal evidence suggest potential benefits of placenta encapsulation in postpartum recovery.

How Placenta Encapsulation Can Support You

For many parents, postpartum is a season of invisibility. You’re recovering physically, emotionally, and mentally, often without the recognition or support you need.

Placenta encapsulation can feel like a small act of reclaiming your body and your wellness. It’s a way to honor the work your body has done, nurture your recovery, and give yourself space to adjust to life with a newborn.

It’s not a miracle cure, and it’s not for everyone. But for those who choose it, it’s a tangible step toward self-care, grounded in both tradition and mindful intention.

Haven Place Doulas Offers Placenta Encapsulation in Boston and Massachusetts

At Haven Place Doulas, we provide placenta encapsulation services for families across Boston and Massachusetts as part of our postpartum care.

We guide you through every step, from collection and preparation to safe storage, so you can focus on bonding with your baby and recovering with support.

Your postpartum journey deserves attention, care, and choice. Placenta encapsulation is one way to nourish your body, honor your experience, and reclaim some energy during the early weeks of parenthood.

I’m interested in placenta encapsulation!