The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has issued the following statement:

The placenta encapsulation process does not per se eradicate infectious pathogens; thus, placenta capsule ingestion should be avoided.

In cases of maternal GBS colonization, chorioamnionitis, or early-onset neonatal GBS infection, ingestion of capsules containing contaminated placenta could heighten maternal colonization, thereby increasing an infant’s risk for late-onset neonatal GBS infection. Clinicians should inquire about a history of placenta ingestion in cases of late-onset GBS infection and educate mothers interested in placenta encapsulation about the potential risks.

This opinion has also been echoed by the Mayo Clinic, one of the most prestigious medical institutions in the country.

The overriding concern of the Madriella Doula Network curriculum is the safety of the mother and her baby. Nothing that we teach is dangerous to either, and that is a standard we do not stray from. We also do not teach any clinical/medical tasks, which includes examining organs for signs of disease, damage or defect (even organs that are outside of the body). For this reason, we are not going to be teaching Placenta Encapsulation.

We fully support a mother’s right to do whatever she sees fit with her placenta, including Encapsulating it for ingestion.

Madriella Doulas that elect to provide Placenta Encapsulation services as part of their practice may do so without fear of losing their Madriella Certification, however, they must recognize that it is not a practice that our organization endorses at this time and they are assuming full responsibility for any outcomes.