Placenta Encapsulation & Prints

Encapsulation typically involves cleaning the placenta, steaming (depending on the method), dehydrating it, grinding it into a fine powder, and placing the powder into capsules. Providers follow strict sanitation protocols, and processing is usually done in the family’s home or in a designated workspace, depending on the service.

A placenta print is a piece of artwork created by pressing the placenta onto paper — often using natural pigments or food-safe dyes — to capture its shape and branching structure. Many families choose this as a keepsake to honor the role the placenta played in pregnancy.

Reasons vary. Some families choose encapsulation hoping to support postpartum energy or mood, while others choose prints or cord keepsakes for symbolic or sentimental reasons. For many, it’s a way to honor the placenta’s significance.

When performed by a trained professional who follows proper sanitation and food-safety protocols, placenta encapsulation can be done safely. It’s important to ask your provider about their certifications, process, and cleaning standards.

Placenta services are typically not covered by insurance. Most providers operate as private-pay services, though some families may use HSA or FSA funds depending on their plan.