Australian footy star Millie Elliott has made a big announcement about how she is preparing for motherhood.
Millie and her footy star husband Adam Elliott announced they were expecting their first child in March 2025, with the baby due in September.
While Millie is currently out of the NRLW because of the pregnancy, she remains in the public eye with gigs at Channel Nine and Triple M.
She did a gender reveal live on-air with Triple M this week which didn’t quite go to plan.
The ring device, an old wives’ tale that allegedly predicts gender, was supposed to swing back and forth if it’s a boy, left to right if it’s a girl – but it swung around in circles.
Millie posted the video to her Instagram Story, also sharing some more news for her followers.
NRLW star Millie Elliott announced on Instagram that she was getting her placenta encapsulated for consumption
It came after the Sydney Roosters star’s gender reveal on Triple M went wrong, as the device did not function as advertised
‘The other week I asked for recommendations to get my placenta encapsulated,’ she said on Instagram.
‘And I had so many people recommend The Oxytocin Collective. So I will tag them.
‘Thank you everyone for your recommendations.’
Perhaps anticipating blowback, she also commented: ‘If you’re not looking to get your placenta encapsulated, perhaps don’t worry about this story’.
The practice of ingesting their own placenta has become a growing trend among new Australian mothers.
Advocates claim that consuming placenta can boost energy, help with postpartum recovery, and improve lactation.
The practice, often referred to as placentophagy, has roots in traditional medicine but is becoming more mainstream in Australia.
Some believe that placenta contains essential nutrients and hormones that support recovery after childbirth.
Millie took the 2025 NRLW season off to have her first child with husband and fellow footy star Adam Elliott
A number of Australian women are turning to placenta encapsulation, where the placenta is dried, powdered and placed into capsules.
While some studies suggest potential benefits, medical professionals remain divided on its effectiveness.
Deakin University lecturer in Reproductive and Developmental Biology Bryony McNeill said there was a lack of scientific evidence supporting its health claims.
‘The main safety concern is that we just don’t have a lot of evidence yet, there’s no clear evidence showing a benefit for eating the placenta and there are some research papers out to show potential bacterial contamination,’ she said.
On the other hand, some health practitioners point to anecdotal reports of mothers experiencing positive outcomes, leading to growing interest in the practice.
After the birth of her second child, Aussie mum Alicia Langlands struggled with postnatal depression. When she fell pregnant with her third, she decided to explore turning her placenta into pills.
‘I had lots of energy, I was able to manage all three of my children and I didn’t develop [postnatal depression],’ she said.
Ms Langlands was so impressed with the results of her experience that she started offering her own services, and she said business was going well.
The practice of mothers having their placenta encapsulated for consumption is becoming more common in Australia
Millie has taken time away from footy to become a mother, but is hopeful of returning to the representative ranks when she returns
Celebrities are also endorsing the practice, with Hollywood star January Jones saying she would recommend the pills to any expectant mother.
‘I should never have told anyone about that. But it’s not gross or witchcrafty. Nor am I putting it in a shake or eating it raw,’ she said.
‘It’s a very civilised thing that can help women with depression or fatigue. I was never depressed or sad or down after the baby was born, so I’d highly suggest it to any pregnant woman.’
Several other celebrities, including Kim Kardashian, have openly endorsed the practice of ingesting their own placenta, claiming benefits like improved energy and faster postpartum recovery.
Veronica Mars star Kristen Bell also shared her experience, stating that consuming her placenta in pill form helped her with emotional balance after childbirth.
