Scottish DJ Calvin Harris has divided opinions online after announcing the birth of his son, Micah , with a series of intimate photographs, the most talked-about being a graphic image of wife Vick Hope’s placenta and the process of turning it into capsules .

The 41-year-old shared the news with his 11 million followers on social media yesterday (August 4), revealing their child was born on July 20 during a home water birth at the couple’s property in Ibiza.

  • Calvin Harris announced the birth of son Micah with intimate photos, including graphic images.
  • Micah was born July 20 during a home water birth at the couple’s Ibiza property.
  • Harris documented the process of turning his wife’s placenta into vitamin-like pills.

Alongside tender shots of himself holding the newborn and a candlelit image of his wife in the birthing pool, Harris also included detailed photos of Hope’s placenta being dehydrated and ground into powder for encapsulation and later consumption.

“Placenta pills were not in my bingo card for today,” a viewer wrote.

DJ Calvin Harris surprised his fans with graphic images of his wife’s placenta, and the process of turning it into capsules

Calvin Harris holding newborn baby on couch with candles and decorative stones in outdoor setting.

Calvin Harris holding newborn baby on couch with candles and decorative stones in outdoor setting. - 1

“20th of July our boy arrived. Micah is here!” the DJ announced, confirming both the name and gender of the child.

“My wife is a superhero and I am in complete awe of her primal wisdom! Just so grateful. We love you so much Micah.”

Person relaxing in an inflatable birthing pool with candles and flowers nearby, related to placenta encapsulation process.

Person relaxing in an inflatable birthing pool with candles and flowers nearby, related to placenta encapsulation process. - 2

This is the first child for Harris and Hope, who married in 2023. Hope, a Newcastle‑born television and radio presenter, announced she would be taking maternity leave from BBC Radio 1 in May and relocated to Ibiza ahead of the birth.

The couple also own Terra Masia, the largest farm on the island, in addition to their main residence in Gloucestershire.

Man leaning over a birthing pool holding a newborn baby, related to Calvin Harris placenta encapsulation process.

Man leaning over a birthing pool holding a newborn baby, related to Calvin Harris placenta encapsulation process. - 3

The reveal brought the celebrity DJ both praise and criticism, with many expressing confusion over his decision to share graphic images of his wife’s bloodied placenta, along with the process of cutting and grinding it into vitamin‑style capsules.

“Why would you want to share all the personal intimate details of this with the rest of the world?” another added.

Others expressed genuine curiosity. “I have never actually seen a placenta before. Kind of incredible really that we grow a whole new organ in order to create life even though it does look kind of gross,” a fan said.

Placenta and umbilical cord arranged on a white surface, related to Calvin Harris placenta encapsulation process.

Placenta and umbilical cord arranged on a white surface, related to Calvin Harris placenta encapsulation process. - 4

Still, there was no shortage of praise for the couple’s transparency . For instance, singer Becky Hill applauded the post, writing, “Amazing we grow a whole new organ to provide life! Good job not wasting it either, that’s some goddess magic right there!”

“Perfectly normal, why hide these things?” another supporter added.

Placentophagy remains controversial, with potential benefits not being confirmed by scientific studies

Dehydrator with pieces of placenta inside, showing part of the encapsulation process in birth announcement.

Dehydrator with pieces of placenta inside, showing part of the encapsulation process in birth announcement. - 5

Placentophagy, as the name suggests, is the practice of consuming the placenta. The organ develops in the uterus during pregnancy and delivers oxygen and nutrients to the baby , as well as removing waste.

After childbirth, some parents choose to keep it and ingest it. While most prefer to do so in capsule form, others prefer to eat it raw, cook it, or even blend it into smoothies.

Hand holding a glass jar filled with placenta capsules during the encapsulation process after birth announcement.

Hand holding a glass jar filled with placenta capsules during the encapsulation process after birth announcement. - 6

Supporters claim the practice offers a variety of postpartum benefits, such as reducing postpartum depression by replenishing hormones like progesterone and estrogen, restoring iron levels, and enhancing breast milk production.

Despite its popularity among alternative health advocates and celebrities such as Kim Kardashian and January Jones, scientific evidence does not support these claimed benefits, remaining mostly inconclusive .

Text post expressing disgust and skepticism about eating placenta and its scientific validity, mentioning celebrities.

Text post expressing disgust and skepticism about eating placenta and its scientific validity, mentioning celebrities. - 7

Calvin Harris shares shocking photos of placenta and encapsulation process in his birth announcement post.

Calvin Harris shares shocking photos of placenta and encapsulation process in his birth announcement post. - 8

Some organizations, such as the US Centers for Disease Control, have cautioned against potential contamination risks if the placenta is not stored and processed correctly.

“The truth is it’s potentially harmful and there’s no evidence it’s beneficial, so therefore, don’t do it,” warned Dr. Amos Grunebaum, an obstetrician at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center.

Having achieved financial freedom, the couple is entering a new era in their lives, one heralded by the arrival of baby Micah

Pregnant woman taking a mirror selfie in a shimmering dress, related to Calvin Harris placenta encapsulation process news.

Pregnant woman taking a mirror selfie in a shimmering dress, related to Calvin Harris placenta encapsulation process news. - 9

Harris and Hope’s romance began long before they were a couple—at least on his end.

The pair first met in 2007 when Harris, then an up‑and‑coming producer, asked Hope out. She turned him down at the time, later admitting she simply “didn’t know who he was” and wasn’t interested.

Pregnant woman standing in a bright living room with wooden beams, holding phone and touching her baby bump.

Pregnant woman standing in a bright living room with wooden beams, holding phone and touching her baby bump. - 10

They reconnected more than a decade later in early 2022, this time under very different circumstances. Harris was already one of the highest‑earning DJs in the world, with multiple chart-topping singles and a lucrative Las Vegas residency under his belt, while Hope had become one of the UK’s most recognizable broadcasters.

Calvin Harris with partner at Brit Awards 2025, related to placenta encapsulation process in birth announcement news.

Calvin Harris with partner at Brit Awards 2025, related to placenta encapsulation process in birth announcement news. - 11

The relationship moved quickly, with Harris proposing under a tree at his 138‑acre organic farm in Ibiza later that year.

Professionally, Harris remains in high demand. He continues to headline major festivals and club residencies, while his collaborations with artists such as Ellie Goulding, Dua Lipa , and Sam Smith have kept him on the charts.

Shirtless man holding a rooster outdoors near a fenced area with trees and a wooden coop behind.

Shirtless man holding a rooster outdoors near a fenced area with trees and a wooden coop behind. - 12

However, since selling his song catalogue in 2020 for a reported £76 million ($100 million), his focus has increasingly shifted toward property investments.

Now, with the arrival of baby Micah, both Harris and Hope are entering a new era in their lives.

“Women are amazing.” Harris’ fans took a moment to appreciate the wonders of childbirth

Comment by Karen Lesley Wheeler saying perfectly normal, questioning why to hide placenta and encapsulation process photos shared by Calvin Harris.

Comment by Karen Lesley Wheeler saying perfectly normal, questioning why to hide placenta and encapsulation process photos shared by Calvin Harris. - 13

Comment from Michelle Fay discussing the nutritional benefits of placenta and its use in encapsulation by mothers.

Comment from Michelle Fay discussing the nutritional benefits of placenta and its use in encapsulation by mothers. - 14

Comment from Pat Collins expressing amazement about the placenta and its encapsulation process in a birth announcement.

Comment from Pat Collins expressing amazement about the placenta and its encapsulation process in a birth announcement. - 15

Screenshot of a user comment discussing the placenta and encapsulation process shared by Calvin Harris in a birth announcement.

Screenshot of a user comment discussing the placenta and encapsulation process shared by Calvin Harris in a birth announcement. - 16

Screenshot of a Facebook comment criticizing reactions to placenta encapsulation shared by Calvin Harris in birth announcement.

Screenshot of a Facebook comment criticizing reactions to placenta encapsulation shared by Calvin Harris in birth announcement. - 17

Comment praising women’s strength posted below Calvin Harris placenta encapsulation birth announcement photo.

Comment praising women’s strength posted below Calvin Harris placenta encapsulation birth announcement photo. - 18

Social media comment expressing amazement at placentas, relating to Calvin Harris placenta photos and encapsulation birth announcement.

Social media comment expressing amazement at placentas, relating to Calvin Harris placenta photos and encapsulation birth announcement. - 19

Comment congratulating and praising a chilled environment for birth shared by Calvin Harris about placenta encapsulation process.

Comment congratulating and praising a chilled environment for birth shared by Calvin Harris about placenta encapsulation process. - 20

Comment by Neil Stubbington-Evans discussing cooking and eating the placenta, related to Calvin Harris placenta encapsulation process.

Comment by Neil Stubbington-Evans discussing cooking and eating the placenta, related to Calvin Harris placenta encapsulation process. - 21

Comment from Michael O’Brien explaining placenta encapsulation is nutrient-packed and not as crazy as it sounds.

Comment from Michael O'Brien explaining placenta encapsulation is nutrient-packed and not as crazy as it sounds. - 22

Comment discussing the peaceful experience of water births compared to hospital births, emphasizing comfort during labor.

Comment discussing the peaceful experience of water births compared to hospital births, emphasizing comfort during labor. - 23

Screenshot of a social media comment defending Calvin Harris sharing photos of placenta and the encapsulation process as natural and normal.

Screenshot of a social media comment defending Calvin Harris sharing photos of placenta and the encapsulation process as natural and normal. - 24

Comment by Sammiiee Louisee expressing love for a raw and emotional placenta picture congratulating the news.

Comment by Sammiiee Louisee expressing love for a raw and emotional placenta picture congratulating the news. - 25

Comment screenshot showing a message reacting to Calvin Harris sharing photos of placenta and the encapsulation process in a birth announcement.

Comment screenshot showing a message reacting to Calvin Harris sharing photos of placenta and the encapsulation process in a birth announcement. - 26

Comment discussing new dad holding baby and the placenta encapsulation process shared by Calvin Harris in birth announcement.

Comment discussing new dad holding baby and the placenta encapsulation process shared by Calvin Harris in birth announcement. - 27

Facebook comment from Matthew Gatehouse questioning sharing personal details, related to Calvin Harris placenta encapsulation photos.

Facebook comment from Matthew Gatehouse questioning sharing personal details, related to Calvin Harris placenta encapsulation photos. - 28

Comment by Adrienne B White reacting to Calvin Harris sharing photos of placenta and encapsulation process.

Comment by Adrienne B White reacting to Calvin Harris sharing photos of placenta and encapsulation process. - 29

Comment by Bill Smith expressing anticipation for photos of the baby’s first stool in a social media post.

Comment by Bill Smith expressing anticipation for photos of the baby’s first stool in a social media post. - 30

Text message from Caroline Currie saying Is nothing private any more in a light blue chat bubble with a thumbs-up reaction beneath.

Text message from Caroline Currie saying Is nothing private any more in a light blue chat bubble with a thumbs-up reaction beneath. - 31

Facebook comment from Lynn Stewart expressing discomfort with turning placenta into a vitamin pill amid encapsulation process discussion.

Facebook comment from Lynn Stewart expressing discomfort with turning placenta into a vitamin pill amid encapsulation process discussion. - 32

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