Placenta Encapsulation From Start to Finish (Video)

See how placenta encapsulation is done in step-by-step photos and video, from the raw placenta to neat little pills that can be taken as supplements.

Written by Genevieve Howland
Updated on May 24, 2019

Last week we talked about why you would want to consume your placenta. Now, in an effort to demystify the process of placenta encapsulation, my doula Deb and I wanted to show you the step-by-step process.

Please keep in mind that it’s important to work with a trained specialist to encapsulate your placenta. Agencies like Placenta Benefits or Full Circle Placenta offer certifications. Many doulas are trained in placentophagy and encapsulation.

Placenta encapsulation costs around $200 on average. Be sure to ask for a tincture as well (a concentrated alcohol-based placenta infusion), as this can be a great supplement as you head into menopause (the shelf life is long so don’t worry about it going bad).

Without further ado, let’s show you the process…

Placenta Encapsulation From Start to Finish Video

See Deb in action in this video as she does the placenta encapsulation process from start to finish.

Or….

No patience for a video?

Scroll down below to see step by step photos of the placenta encapsulation process.

How My Doula Deb Made My Placenta Capsules

First Deb sanitized the workspace.

Next she rinsed the placenta in the sink and drained all the blood out.

Then she placed it in a steaming basket…

…and steamed the placenta lightly.

When the placenta finished steaming she sliced it into strips.

Then she put the strips into a dehydrator.

We dried the placenta strips overnight and then some – about 18 hours in total.

Placenta Encapsulation Graphic 9
Deb came back to our house the next day and took the dried strips out of the dehydrator and placed them into a grinder.

It was kind of like a coffee grinder.

She ground the dried placenta strips until they became a fine powder.

Next she got her handy little capsule loader ready by putting the large part of the capsules in place.

The tops were set aside for closing the capsule once it was filled.

She poured the placenta powder out over the capsule loader.

She spread the placenta powder evenly across the top of the placenta capsule loader.

The she lowered the contraption and… voilà.

Time to cover the placenta capsules with the tops.

Look at all that placenta-y goodness.

Finally, Deb wiped the placenta pills off with paper towel before storing them an opaque jar.

Looks good enough to eat, don’t they? Relatively speaking.

My placenta yielded 107 placenta pills plus a placenta tincture, which is some of the powder steeped in an alcohol for long term preservation.

Catch up with my Chicago-based doula Deb Lawrence on her website or Doula Match.

Learn more about birth doulas, the angels of the childbirth process.

So, My Placenta Pills Were All Ready to Eat

And, like a good natural mama, I got right down to it. But my results were a little unexpected.

Click here to read about my experience eating my placenta

How About You?

Did you eat your placenta? How did you do so? Did you notice any results? Share with us in the comments below.

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About the Author

Genevieve Howland is a doula and childbirth educator. She is the bestselling author of The Mama Natural Week-by-Week Guide to Pregnancy and Childbirth and creator of the Mama Natural Birth Course. A mother of three, graduate of the University of Colorado, and YouTuber with over 135,000,000 views, she helps mothers and moms-to-be lead healthier and more natural lives.

37 Comments

Duckduckgoose555 Jan 14 at 12:47 pm

Making right now. What size gelcaps? Size 1, 0, 000…? Thanks in advance.

Reply
Tiffany Sep 11 at 4:51 pm

What herbs do you recommend to include in placenta encapsulation?

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Ariana Holmes Jun 19 at 7:06 pm

Hi! How do you know it’s done steaming and are there any herbs you recommend steaming it with? TIA!

Reply
- Brandie Jul 29 at 7:12 pm
  
  It’s recommended 20 mins on each side.
  
  Reply
Jill Capellino Feb 26 at 6:26 pm

If you’re located in Orange County, CA and looking for a Certified Placenta Encapsulation Specialist
http://www.placentaoc.com

Reply
- April Mar 13 at 12:29 am
  
  The link does not work, is there another?
  
  Reply
Melissa Feb 10 at 5:35 pm

Hi! I am wondering where to find a simple capsule loading device like in the video. I have seen them in the past, but cannot find anything simple like that when I look to buy!

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Sarah Apr 1 at 12:31 am

How long is this viable for? My baby is a year old, and my encapsulator said, “stop taking it at the first sign of illness”… well we’ve had a lot of illness in the last year and I haven’t finished the pills. are they still any good?

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Lindsay Mar 13 at 12:01 pm

I’m pretty sure the reason you’re experience was so overwhelming was because you were taking 6 per day. 1 or 2 should have covered it.

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Zohreh Jan 23 at 1:15 pm

How does one sterilize the grinder?

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- Cheyenne Townley, Doula-Oklahoma Birthkeeping Jan 14 at 5:38 am
  
  Hello, I encapsulate placentas. Part of my sterilization process is soaking parts in bleach when I arrive at a clients home and when I leave the home. This includes the grinder. The base, which doesn’t touch any part of the placenta is thoroughly wiped with Clorox Healthcare Peroxide wipes.
  
  I know some encapsulators are against using bleach, but for me that is the gold standard for ensuring my clients safety from bloodborne pathogens.
  
  Reply
Annina Jan 20 at 3:42 pm

I dearly wish I had had my last placenta encapsulated. I had postpartum depression. We saved it and buried under a 100 yr old oak on our daughter’s first birthday.

As a doula, I encourage my mamas to have their placentas encapsulated. And within the year, I will attend the training to be an encapsulator myself!! I can’t wait!

Reply
Annina Jan 20 at 3:42 pm

I dearly wish I had had my last palcenta encapsulated. I had postpartum depression. We saved it and buried under a 100 yr old oak on our daughter’s first birthday.

As a doula, I encourage my mamas to have their placentas encapsulated. And within the year, I will attend the training to be an encapsulator myself!! I can’t wait!

Reply
Annina Jan 20 at 3:41 pm

I dearly wish I had had my last palcenta encapsulated. I had postpartum depression. We saved it and buried under a 100 yr old oak on our daughter’s first birthday.

As a doula, I encourage my mamas to encapsulate. And within the year, I will attend the training to be an encapsulator myself!! I can’t wait!

Reply
Rebecca Jan 17 at 9:14 pm

Okay. That was the coolest thing I’ve seen in a while. Thanks for sharing!!!

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MamaCassi Jan 17 at 10:19 am

so cool. not sure if i’ll finally DO something w/ this placenta! each time i think i’ll save it jik, but then just want everything cleaned up after i finally get done with that birth thing (i have LONG labors).

but maybe i’ll try it this time?!?

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Danielle Jan 16 at 10:49 pm

Thanks so much for showing us this process in video, this is exactly how my doula explained to do it.

I don’t have a dehydrator and was told I could use my oven instead, on the lowest heat (perhaps 100deg.). Is that true?

Also, I’m now 8 weeks postpartum, so what benefits are there this much past the birth? I’ve had a great postpartum so far. Would the placenta still be good to use after sitting in my freezer for 2 months, or am I now just hoarding it in there? 🙂 Thanks!

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- Brandie Mcgowan Jul 29 at 7:15 pm
  
  6 months frozen or more is not recommended.
  
  Reply
Stephanie @ Whole Health Dork Jan 16 at 11:50 am

Thanks for showing us this process. A few questions:
1. I have heard that drying out the placenta removes most of the nutrients/benefits that you would want to get out of it. Is this true?
2. As someone who works in a hospital, I can’t help but look at all of the blood and think about contamination. How does your doula sanitize everything? Does she use an autoclave? I didn’t think you could have all that blood just go down the drain.

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- Heather Jan 20 at 9:10 pm
  
  I’m following this post as a doula and a mom about to birth for the 4th time (first time encapsulating and looking to learn how to from my doulas for future clients), and I know there’s a volume difference, but wouldn’t the blood going down the drain be the same as emptying out a menstrual cup?
  
  Reply
Joan Jan 16 at 7:06 am

Wow, that was an education. Thanks to both Deb and Genevieve.

Reply
Meghan Jan 15 at 10:14 pm

While looking for someone local to encapsulate my placenta, I noticed many mentioned incorporating herbs (such as myrrh and ginger) with the placenta in the capsule. Your capsules are just straight placenta, right? Any input on advantages/disadvantages of straight placenta vs added herbs?

Reply
Haley Jan 15 at 9:23 pm

I was so lucky to have a husband who was willing to do all of this himself!! Thank you mama natural for being so informative and awesome!!

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Tara Jan 15 at 5:18 pm

I love this video, but I want it to go farther. I want to see how she made the tincture! I saved a small handful of my placenta capsules in a jar in my freezer for future use. I’m wondering now if I could make a tincture out of what is left in these. I am actually taking classes on herbalism and tincture making is a part of this, but I’m wondering what the protocol is for making a placenta tincture. Would your midwife be willing to chime in on this? Proper ratios? Any tips or ingredients to add? Thanks again Genevieve. 🙂

Reply
- Natalie Jan 16 at 2:09 pm
  
  Hi! I want to pipe in here in support of placenta tinctures!! In addition to encapsulating my placenta, I also had two tinctures made- “mother” tincture and a homeopathic tincture for the kiddos (lifetime supply!!). They have been wonderful- especially the “mother” tincture for preventing colds from flourishing…I wish I could provide tips on making it but a local doula did mine (was a 6 week process). Best of luck to you!!
  
  Reply
Bobbie Jan 15 at 9:33 am

Gross! I don’t think we are meant to consume our own ways! Disgusting.

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Melissa Jan 14 at 5:15 pm

Thanks again for continuing with this series. Quick question: Does the placenta lose any nutrients from the steaming, dehydrating process (like when you cook a vegetable)?

Thanks
Melissa

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- Magali Jan 14 at 7:20 pm
  
  I was wondering the same
  
  Reply
  - Tara Jan 15 at 5:38 pm
    
    Because the steam preparation is base on Traditional Chinese Medicine I feel I can help answer this question. In my experience with Traditional Chinese Medicine and nutrition, the way you prepare anything you will consume will affect it’s “action” or properties. By steaming a food you add water element into its action.
    
    Water element foods by TCM standards support the circulatory system, adrenals, kidneys and bladder. It aids in absorption of vitamin D, magnesium and calcium. Water element foods also help with imbalances such as fear, anxiety, frustration, overactivity, hoarding, feeling overwhelmed and confusion.
    
    Water element foods are known to bring forth faith, gentleness, storage, perseverance, will power, introspection, quietude and trust. Interestingly enough the sound associated with water element foods in TCM is groaning. I find this aspect particularly fascinating for a food prepared for a mom who just gave birth. Anyone groan much during that process? *raises hand high*
    
    When you understand the TCM basis behind this type of preparation, you can see that the choice to steam the placenta is quite deliberate because of the type of support it would provide.
    
    TCM is not always a proponent of “raw” foods, as it takes every advantage of how preparing the food can add to it’s medicinal qualities and more fully support all of the organ systems.
    
    Hope that helps. I understand by the USDA standards placental preparation will have no grounding. However, in more ancient schools of thought you can begin to see an entirely new world of nutrition in a physical, spiritual and emotional way. That is the way Traditional Chinese Medicine works. It’s a multi-level approach.
    
    Reply
    - Mama_Nonah Jan 29 at 3:31 pm
      
      Thank you for this information. Good to be reminded that cultural practices and ancient traditions hold different meanings to what we may have been exposed to from a western perspective.
      
      Reply
Tatiana E. Jan 14 at 4:42 pm

My only concern is that the grinder that Deb used was not stainless steel and therefore cannot be run through an autoclave in order to sterilize it. Did the grinder belong to you Genevieve or was it hers?

Reply
- Jess Sep 7 at 9:16 am
  
  I used to provide this service and for each client used a brand new coffee grinder that I disposed of after use since it couldn’t be sterilized.
  
  Another commenter asked about the amount of blood being disposed…. In my experience, there was minimal blood drained off of the placenta when I received it (maybe 30mL). It’s a very simple process and easy to perform following standard precautions.
  
  Reply
Laura Jan 14 at 3:14 pm

I probably shouldn’t have looked at this while I was eating!! Very cool though.

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Nicola Jan 14 at 1:26 pm

Watching it I wasn’t enamoured with the look of the placenta especially dehydrated but the second it was in the capsules I was fine with it. I would take them.

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Ali Jan 14 at 1:16 pm

Thank you for sharing that! I encapsulated my placenta and read about how she did it, but the video was more fun!

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Sara Jan 14 at 12:53 pm

eeeewwwww

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- Julien Jan 14 at 5:19 pm
  
  Sara- ugh, me too! I’m 32 weeks pregnant and the only thing I haven’t really been able to eat was meat and to see it raw, then steamed…. yuck. But I think any powdered meat capsule would gross me out right now.
  
  At least it’s palo, right Genevieve? 😉
  
  Reply

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Placenta Encapsulation From Start to Finish (Video)

Placenta Encapsulation From Start to Finish Video

How My Doula Deb Made My Placenta Capsules

So, My Placenta Pills Were All Ready to Eat

How About You?

Read This Next…

About the Author

37 Comments

Duckduckgoose555 Jan 14 at 12:47 pm

Tiffany Sep 11 at 4:51 pm

Ariana Holmes Jun 19 at 7:06 pm

Brandie Jul 29 at 7:12 pm

Jill Capellino Feb 26 at 6:26 pm

April Mar 13 at 12:29 am

Melissa Feb 10 at 5:35 pm

Sarah Apr 1 at 12:31 am

Lindsay Mar 13 at 12:01 pm

Zohreh Jan 23 at 1:15 pm

Cheyenne Townley, Doula-Oklahoma Birthkeeping Jan 14 at 5:38 am

Annina Jan 20 at 3:42 pm

Annina Jan 20 at 3:42 pm

Annina Jan 20 at 3:41 pm

Rebecca Jan 17 at 9:14 pm

MamaCassi Jan 17 at 10:19 am

Danielle Jan 16 at 10:49 pm

Brandie Mcgowan Jul 29 at 7:15 pm

Stephanie @ Whole Health Dork Jan 16 at 11:50 am

Heather Jan 20 at 9:10 pm

Joan Jan 16 at 7:06 am

Meghan Jan 15 at 10:14 pm

Haley Jan 15 at 9:23 pm

Tara Jan 15 at 5:18 pm

Natalie Jan 16 at 2:09 pm

Bobbie Jan 15 at 9:33 am

Melissa Jan 14 at 5:15 pm

Magali Jan 14 at 7:20 pm

Tara Jan 15 at 5:38 pm

Mama_Nonah Jan 29 at 3:31 pm

Tatiana E. Jan 14 at 4:42 pm

Jess Sep 7 at 9:16 am

Laura Jan 14 at 3:14 pm

Nicola Jan 14 at 1:26 pm

Ali Jan 14 at 1:16 pm

Sara Jan 14 at 12:53 pm

Julien Jan 14 at 5:19 pm

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