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Placenta encapsulation is a service some families choose as part of their postpartum experience. As with any practice involving the preparation and consumption of human tissue, however, it is important to understand that there are potential risks, including the possibility of bacterial contamination.

One case reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlights why proper handling, preparation, sanitation, and storage of placental tissue are so important.

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The Reported Case

In the case described by the CDC, the infant's mother was screened for Group B Streptococcus (Streptococcus agalactiae, commonly called GBS) at 37 weeks of pregnancy, consistent with routine prenatal care. Her screening result was negative at that time.

Shortly after birth, the infant developed signs of infection and tested positive for GBS. The infant received treatment and was discharged from the hospital.

Five days later, the infant was hospitalized again and once more tested positive for GBS. A second course of treatment was administered. The mother's breast milk was tested and did not show the presence of GBS. Additional testing was performed, but no other source of the bacteria was identified.

Because the source of the recurrent infection remained unclear, physicians tested the mother's placenta capsules. The capsules tested positive for GBS.

The CDC report concluded that the infant's illness was consistent with late-onset GBS disease associated with maternal colonization following ingestion of GBS-contaminated placental tissue.

You can read the CDC case report here:
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/66/wr/mm6625a4.htm

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An Important Distinction

This was a single case report, not a large clinical study evaluating placenta encapsulation as a whole. It does not establish that placenta encapsulation routinely causes GBS infection.

It does, however, demonstrate that contamination of encapsulated placental tissue is possible and that careful handling and preparation are extremely important.

There are currently no universally standardized regulations governing placenta encapsulation. Training, preparation methods, sanitation practices, transportation, storage, and processing procedures can therefore vary considerably between providers.

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What Happened With the Placenta in This Case?

According to the CDC report, the mother hired a placenta encapsulation company to collect her placenta from the hospital. The capsules were returned to her approximately three days later.

The report states that the placenta was cleaned, sliced, dehydrated at temperatures ranging from approximately 115°F to 160°F, ground, placed into capsules, and stored at room temperature.

This is important because temperature, time, moisture, sanitation, and handling practices can all affect bacterial growth and contamination risk.

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Our Approach at From Bump To Babies

At From Bump To Babies, we believe informed consent means being honest about both the potential benefits and the potential risks of placenta encapsulation.

Our goal is to minimize preventable risks through careful handling, sanitation, preparation, and storage recommendations.

We do not take possession of multiple clients' placentas. Families are provided with instructions for safe storage and transportation so that their placenta can remain under their control until it is ready to be processed.

We also process one placenta at a time to reduce the possibility of cross-contamination.

We only offer the traditional method of placenta encapsulation that stems from Chinese Medicine. This means we clean and drain the placenta and then steam it for 10-16 minutes (depending on size of placenta) prior to dehydrating it at 165°F. We know that bacteria can grow rapidly when meat is left in the "danger zone" of 40°F and 140°F. The placenta in the Oregon case was not steamed prior to being dehydrated at temperatures too low to kill bacteria. 

The safety precautions we take in the preparation and handling of your placenta, and sanitation of our equipment exceeds industry standards. We follow OSHA protocols for preventing transmission of bloodborne diseases, we use disposable/one-time-use equipment and supplies wherever possible, we sanitize all reusable equipment with hospital grade virucidal/bactericidal bath according to bloodborne pathogens protocols.

At From Bump To Babies, our placenta encapsulation specialist have been through several in-person, hands-on training, extensive book study, a comprehensive certification process, and have access to ongoing mentoring by leaders in the industry.

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Situations in Which We Would Not Process a Placenta

Safety begins with knowing when placenta encapsulation may not be appropriate. Here are situations that placenta are contraindicated for consumption:

-If there is an active infection involving the mother or baby during labor (Choriamnionitis)

-Cancers of the placenta or amniotic sac (Choriocarcinoma)

-Placenta was sent and processed in pathology

-A mother with Hepatitis B or other major infections such as HIV, Ebola, Zika virus *in pregnancy and labor*

It is also important to understand that a positive GBS screening result does not automatically mean that the mother or baby has a GBS infection. GBS colonization and GBS disease are different conditions.

Because individual circumstances can vary, families should discuss any infection, illness, or other medical concerns with their healthcare provider before deciding whether placenta encapsulation is appropriate.

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Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Placenta Encapsulator

Because there is no single universal regulatory standard for placenta encapsulation providers, parents should take the time to ask questions before choosing someone to prepare their placenta.

Consider asking:

• What formal training have you completed?

• Was your training hands-on and in person?

• Do you have training in bloodborne pathogen safety?

• What sanitation and disinfection procedures do you follow?

• What temperature and preparation method do you use?

• How do you prevent cross-contamination?

• Do you process more than one placenta at a time?

• What happens if the mother or baby develops an infection?

• How should the finished capsules be stored?

• What are the known risks of placenta consumption?

A professional should be willing to answer these questions clearly and transparently.

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Your Placenta Deserves Careful Handling

If you decide to have your placenta encapsulated, choosing a provider should involve more than simply comparing prices or the number of capsules you will receive.

Your placenta is human tissue, and it should be handled with the same level of care, sanitation, and respect that you would expect when working with any biological material.

At From Bump To Babies, we are proud of the precautions we take to provide families with a thoughtful, careful, and transparent placenta preparation service.

We encourage every family to make an informed decision based on their own circumstances, ask questions, understand the potential risks, and speak with their healthcare provider whenever they have concerns.

Placenta encapsulation is a personal choice. Our goal is to help you make that choice with as much information as possible.

If you have questions about our process, safety protocols, or placenta encapsulation in general, we are always happy to discuss them with you.

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