Eating your placenta may pose health risks to you and your baby, so it isn’t considered a proven way to improve your health. [1][2][3] If you’re weighing this choice while preparing for birth or adjusting to life with a newborn, it’s reasonable to pause and talk it through with a health professional. For more detail, see Eating Placenta: What It Is and What to Consider.
The main concerns include possible harm to you or your baby, and the benefits remain unclear. [1][3] For example, you might be looking for help with recovery or wondering whether a placenta product could affect your baby; those are useful questions to bring to a clinician rather than reasons to assume it will help. [3] This article covers the potential safety concerns, what processing does and does not tell you about safety, and how to get advice if you’re considering placenta consumption or have already consumed it.
What risks should you consider?
Bacterial contamination, heavy metals, and other contaminants are the key concerns to weigh when considering placenta consumption. [4][2]
Infection concerns
A placenta can carry bacteria, and consuming it may expose you to them. [4][2] For example, infection could be a concern if bacteria remain in the tissue or are transferred into a product made from it. [2] This is a potential risk, not a prediction that you or your baby will become ill.
Contaminants and your baby
Heavy metals are another concern because they may be present in placenta tissue. [4] Other toxins or contaminants may also be involved, so the concern is not limited to bacteria. [2] The available information does not identify which contaminants might be present in a particular placenta or product.
Potential exposure is worth considering for a nursing infant as well as for the parent who consumes placenta. [1][5] If you are weighing this choice while nursing, include your baby’s possible exposure in the conversation with your health professional. You can ask what is known about infection and contaminant risks for the particular plan you have in mind.
Do capsules or cooking make it safer?
Capsules or cooking do not establish that a placenta product is risk-free, so ask your clinician about the specific product or plan you are considering. [1][2] Processing may change the form in which you would consume the placenta, but it is not a guarantee of safety. [1][2]
Ask about the exact product or plan
When you talk with your clinician, describe what you are considering rather than asking only whether “placenta” is safe. For example, say whether you are thinking about capsules or a cooked preparation, and share any details you have about the product or process. That gives your clinician a clearer picture of the choice you want to discuss.
You can also ask what is known about that particular product, whether processing changes the concerns for you or your baby, and what uncertainties remain. A general answer about placenta consumption may not address the details of your plan, so bring any product information or preparation claims you have and ask how they apply to your situation.
Avoid treating a label, a processing description, or a claim that a product is “prepared” as proof that it is safe. Instead, use those details as prompts for a direct conversation with your clinician. If you do not have enough information about the product or process, say so; you can ask what additional details would help them advise you.
What should you do if you are considering it or already ate it?
If you are considering eating your placenta—or have already consumed it—talk with an obstetric or postpartum care professional about what to do next. You can raise the question during a postpartum visit, or call the office sooner if you have concerns; the goal is to get advice that fits your situation, not to judge your choice.
Before consuming it, explain the plan you are considering and ask what your clinician recommends for you and your baby. If you have a product or packaging, keep it nearby so you can describe it accurately. You might say, “I’m considering a placenta product; can we discuss it before I decide?”
If you already consumed placenta, contact a health professional for advice, especially if you or your baby seems unwell. [1] When you call, share what form you consumed—such as a capsule or another product—and when you took it. If your baby is the one who seems unwell, say so at the start of the call, and follow the professional’s guidance about what to do next. [5]
You do not need to work out the cause of a symptom before asking for help. Simply describe what you have noticed, when it began, and whether anything has changed; avoid assuming that placenta consumption explains it. If you are unsure whom to contact, start with your obstetric or postpartum care professional and explain that you have a newborn at home.
A cautious choice protects both of you
The safest takeaway is that eating your placenta has not been established as safe, and potential risks remain for you and your baby. [1] If you are weighing this choice, ask a health professional for advice that fits your health, birth, and feeding plans rather than relying on a general answer. You may also find this useful: Eating Placenta Health Benefits: What Research Finds.
You can make that conversation easier by writing down what you are considering and what questions matter most to you. For example, ask how the plan could affect you and your baby, and whether your individual circumstances call for a different approach. Texas Children’s Hospital notes that studies indicate the risks of placenta consumption may outweigh any benefits. [2]
If you have already eaten placenta, or you are unsure what to do next, contact your health professional and explain your situation. A clinician can help you decide what advice is appropriate for you and your baby. You do not have to settle the question alone; make the next step a direct conversation with your care team.