Discover How Much Are Placentas Worth? Uncover the myths, facts, and surprising truths behind placenta value, markets, and meaning.

I remember the first time I came across a social media post claiming that a placenta could be “worth $50…000.” I was scrolling late at night … half curious, half skeptical … when someone confidently declared, “Don’t let the hospital take it. They sell it!” It was one of those Health & Mindfulness moments that made me pause and question what’s real, what’s rumor, and how much truth actually hides behind viral wellness claims.

That stopped me in my tracks. I was expecting my first baby at the time… and my brain instantly started racing. Wait… is that true? Are hospitals actually making money from this? How much are placentas worth… really?

That innocent scroll turned into a full-blown research rabbit hole. I found stories about luxury beauty companies… stem-cell labs… and even black-market trades in certain countries. But as I dug deeper… I learned the truth was much more layered…and far more fascinating…than the internet rumors suggested.

So… if you’ve ever wondered how much are placentas worth and what really happens to them after birth… let’s unpack the facts… the myths… and the meaning behind it all.

What Makes a Placenta So “Valuable” in the First Place?

Let’s start with the obvious question: why does anyone think a placenta has value?

Biologically… it’s one of the most extraordinary organs we’ll ever create. It’s the only organ that grows and leaves the body…it literally connects two beings through an intricate network of blood vessels… nutrients… and hormones. Inside that seemingly humble tissue are stem cells… collagen… growth factors… and peptides that make scientists… skincare brands… and even traditional healers sit up and pay attention.

That’s the scientific part. But then there’s the marketing side…the part that makes headlines. Some wellness communities… especially online… have romanticized the placenta as a “super organ” full of healing power. You’ll find capsules… tinctures… powders… creams… and even smoothie recipes that all promise vitality and hormonal balance.

And that’s where curiosity peaks: If it’s so potent… How much are placentas worth in money terms?

The Real Market Breakdown: From Myths to Market Reports

Let’s get one thing straight…most new mothers cannot sell their placentas for profit. In many countries… including the U.S…. it’s legally considered human tissue… and selling it for money violates strict laws like the National Organ Transplantation Act (NOTA).

That said… placentas do have commercial value…just not in the way most people think. Let’s explore where that “worth” actually comes from.

1. Pharmaceutical and Research Use

Some companies and labs use placental tissue to develop stem-cell therapies and regenerative medicine products. These applications can lead to placenta-derived extracts worth hundreds or thousands of dollars per gram. But this is the processed product’s value… not the raw placenta itself.

According to a 2024 market analysis by Polaris Market Research… The global placenta-derived products market is valued at around $599 million and expected to reach $1.4 billion by 2034. That’s huge…but again… this is the corporate and medical level… not a payout to parents.

2. Cosmetic and Skincare Industry

You’ve probably seen serums and creams boasting “placenta extract.” Many luxury beauty brands use animal (often sheep) or human-derived placenta proteins for their regenerative and anti-aging properties.

In fact… a London Evening Standard report once exposed how the NHS sold donated placentas to a luxury cosmetics firm for research. This revealed a fascinating but ethically murky industry… where a placenta’s “worth” lies in what it becomes…a pricey skincare ingredient…not its direct sale value.

So if you’re wondering how much are placentas worth to these companies… The short answer is: potentially thousands per processed batch… but zero to the average parent.

3. Placenta Encapsulation Services

Now… this is where personal use comes in. Many mothers choose to encapsulate their own placentas for postpartum recovery. The service…dehydrating… grinding… and turning the placenta into capsules…can cost $200–$400… depending on the provider.

So technically… you’re not “selling” your placenta…you’re paying someone to transform it for your own consumption. The value here is emotional and nutritional… not monetary.

4. The Black Market Reality

Here’s the dark side. In some parts of the world… like China… There have been reports of a thriving black market for human placentas. They’re often collected illegally from hospitals… processed into powders or pills… and sold for less than $20 each.

One investigation by International Business Times described how these “medical waste” placentas were being repackaged and sold as health tonics. Disturbing… yes…but it highlights the reality that where regulation is weak… exploitation thrives.

Legal and Ethical Boundaries

When it comes to the question “how much are placentas worth?” the legal answer is often: not much… if anything at all.

In the U.S…. human organs and tissues can’t be sold for profit. You can donate them for research or medical use… but you can’t pocket money for it. Hospitals typically dispose of placentas as biohazard waste unless you request to keep yours.

There are also ethical concerns. Some mothers have found out…often years later…that their placentas were sent for research or sold to companies without explicit consent. It raises questions of ownership: Who really “owns” the placenta…the mother… the baby… or the hospital?

If you’re planning to keep or donate yours… the best step is to ask in advance about hospital policies. Many facilities now allow families to claim the placenta after birth… especially for cultural or personal reasons.

Cultural and Symbolic Worth

Money aside… a placenta’s worth isn’t always measured in dollars. In many cultures… it’s considered sacred…a life-giving organ that deserves reverence.

In New Zealand… for example… Māori families often bury the placenta beneath a tree to symbolize the baby’s connection to the earth. In parts of Indonesia… mothers hold quiet ceremonies to thank the placenta spirit for protecting the child during pregnancy.

When I delivered my own baby… I remember the midwife asking… “Would you like to see your placenta?” At first… I hesitated…then curiosity took over. Seeing it up close was oddly humbling. It wasn’t just tissue; it was a visual symbol of my baby’s entire existence inside me.

That moment reframed the question for me. How much are placentas worth? In that instant… it wasn’t about money…it was about meaning.

Myths vs. Facts: Let’s Set the Record Straight

Myth	Reality
A placenta can sell for $50…000	No verified cases. That number refers to the potential value of processed stem cells or extracts… not individual placentas.
Selling your placenta is legal	In most countries… it’s prohibited or tightly regulated.
Hospitals make huge profits selling placentas	Some may collaborate with research firms… but it’s heavily controlled and rarely profitable per placenta.
Placenta pills are proven to boost mood or milk supply	Evidence is limited. The CDC even warns about potential infection risks from consuming placenta capsules.

The Factors That Actually Influence Value

While the idea of a “placenta price tag” is mostly symbolic… several factors affect how the industry perceives its worth:

Quality and Condition: Disease-free… properly preserved placentas are more viable for research.
Intended Use: Medical and cosmetic applications fetch more than general disposal or encapsulation.
Processing Costs: Extracting stem cells… peptides… and hormones adds labor and scientific value.
Legal Barriers: The stricter the regulation… the lower the potential commercial trade.

To put it simply: how much are placentas worth depends on who’s asking and why. For a lab… it’s valuable research material. For a beauty brand… it’s a high-end ingredient. For a new mom… it might be a source of comfort and personal healing.

The Emotional and Personal Worth

After my baby was born… I decided to keep my placenta. A friend of mine… who’s a doula… helped me prepare a small tincture and a few capsules. I didn’t do it because I believed it would magically heal me…I did it because it felt meaningful.

Every time I took one… I reminded myself that my body had done something miraculous. That’s a different kind of value…one that doesn’t show up on any balance sheet.

So… when people ask “how much are placentas worth?” I often say: financially… not much…but emotionally… maybe everything.

What You Can Do With Your Placenta (Safely and Legally)

If you’re expecting and wondering what your options are… here’s a simple guide:

Ask your hospital about their placenta release policy in advance.
Consider encapsulation services if you’re curious…but choose certified professionals.
Explore donation programs if you want to contribute to medical research ethically.
Create a keepsake or ritual…some families plant it with a tree or make placenta prints as symbolic art.
Avoid online “buy/sell” offers…they’re often illegal or exploitative.

So… How Much Are Placentas Worth… Really?

If we had to put a number on it… the answer is nuanced:

To research companies… the processed components might be worth hundreds to thousands per batch.
To encapsulation providers… the service costs $200–$400.
To illegal markets… shockingly… it could be under $20.
To mothers and families… it’s often priceless.

But if you’re thinking in terms of direct cash…selling or trading your placenta…realistically… its monetary value is near zero due to legal and ethical barriers.

So… the next time you hear someone ask “how much are placentas worth…” remember: it’s not a simple transaction. It’s a question that touches on biology… culture… law… and motherhood itself.

Key taking

In the end… the placenta is one of nature’s quiet miracles…a temporary bridge between two lives.
Whether you bury it under a tree… turn it into capsules… or simply let it go… it has already fulfilled its purpose.
Yes… the beauty industry and research labs might extract measurable value from it.
But for you…the person who grew it…the true worth can’t be quantified in dollars.
Because how much are placentas worth isn’t really about money.
It’s about connection… creation… and the incredible reminder that even after birth… something beautiful still remains…a symbol of life’s most intimate exchange.

Additional resources

What Is Your Placenta Worth? – ParentsGuide Cord Blood Foundation: Breaks down the often-quoted “$50,000 placenta” myth and explains that the figure represents the potential medical and research value of processed placenta tissue … not what anyone is actually paid.
Can You Sell Your Placenta? The Truth About Legalities – Anja Health: Clarifies that it’s illegal to sell human placenta in the U.S. due to tissue and organ regulations. Also covers how hospitals or labs may use donated placentas for research or therapy development.