The human afterbirth—comprising the placenta, umbilical cord, and fetal membranes—is a remarkable organ that most of us barely think about, even though it keeps a developing baby alive by shuttling oxygen, nutrients, and waste between mother and child. Weighing roughly 0.7 kilograms (1.5 lb), this disc‑shaped structure forms alongside the fetus and creates a separate blood supply, allowing the newborn to thrive in the womb before its first breath. Understanding the afterbirth’s biology opens the door to a surprisingly diverse set of uses that span medicine, mysticism, and even cosmetics. Below are 10 interesting ways humans have repurposed this often‑overlooked tissue.
10 Interesting Ways Humans Use the Afterbirth
10 Skin Grafts
Back in 1910, pioneering physicians discovered that the amniotic sac’s fetal membranes could serve as a superior alternative to traditional skin grafts harvested from cadavers or animal sources. Early trials revealed that these membranes not only adhered more comfortably to burn and ulcer wounds but also cut down on pain and infection rates, thanks to their natural compatibility with human tissue. By the 1940s, surgeons were routinely employing amniotic membranes to accelerate post‑operative healing across a range of procedures.
As research progressed, doctors got increasingly inventive with the membranes’ healing powers. For instance, patients suffering from bowel fistulas—a painful condition where intestinal fluids leak through a hole—benefited from amniotic wraps that hastened tissue repair. In the 1930s, surgeons successfully reconstructed a woman’s vagina using fetal membranes to treat Mullerian agenesis, a rare developmental disorder. Though amniotic skin grafts eventually fell out of favor, the early work laid the groundwork for modern regenerative therapies.
9 Traditional Chinese Medicine
The earliest recorded medicinal use of human placenta appears in a 16th‑century Chinese text by herbalist Li Shihzen, who listed the dried organ as a remedy for a bewildering array of ailments. Given the placenta’s role in nurturing a fetus, it was logical for practitioners to harness it for treating insufficient lactation, male infertility, and even impotence. Li also claimed benefits for seizure disorders, tinnitus, chronic back pain, and persistent coughing, illustrating the breadth of its purported therapeutic reach.
While modern practitioners sometimes draw on placental preparations to support placentophagy, traditional Chinese medicine never prescribed fresh placenta directly to postpartum women. Instead, the dried organ was incorporated into formulas administered by qualified healers, keeping the practice distinct from contemporary trends of mothers consuming their own afterbirths.
8 Lotus Birth
Cutting or clamping the umbilical cord within seconds of birth has been documented in European medical texts as early as the 12th century. Today, many obstetricians advise a brief delay—often waiting until the cord’s pulsations cease—to boost a newborn’s hemoglobin and iron stores. Lotus birth pushes this concept to its extreme, leaving the infant attached to the placenta until the cord naturally detaches, a process that can take several days.
Proponents argue that the lingering connection offers a gentler transition to the external world, citing potential health benefits and emotional bonding. Critics, however, warn of infection risks and the inevitable “meaty” odor as the placenta decomposes. The practice remains controversial, balancing cultural reverence against modern medical caution.
7 Restoring Female Fertility
In several West African societies, a woman’s inability to conceive is viewed as a profound tragedy, and rituals involving the afterbirth aim to restore fertility. After delivery, burying the placenta and umbilical cord is believed to rejuvenate the mother’s womb, repairing the trauma of pregnancy and birth.
Among Ghanaian communities, a particularly vivid custom holds that an infertile woman can become fertile again by urinating on the spot where another woman’s buried placenta rests. These practices underscore the deep symbolic power attributed to the afterbirth in traditional healing.
6 Placentophagy
“Placentophagy”—the act of eating one’s own placenta—has sparked heated debate among new mothers and health professionals alike. Advocates claim that the organ is a nutrient‑dense superfood that can speed postpartum recovery, enhance milk production, and stave off post‑natal depression. Creative culinary approaches abound, from blending the placenta into berry smoothies to slow‑cooking it into a savory pâté.
Scientific evidence remains scant; most benefits are anecdotal, and there are genuine safety concerns. Studies have detected heavy metals, residual hormones, and potential pathogens even after thorough cooking, meaning that consuming placenta could expose mother or infant to infection or toxic substances.
5 Spirit Guide Or Guardian Angel
Across cultures, the placenta is revered as a spiritual custodian for the newborn. In Bali, the afterbirth is believed to embody the child’s guardian angel, carefully wrapped in cloth and sealed inside a coconut before burial—a ritual that honors the protective spirit.
Similarly, Icelandic tradition names the placenta “fylgia,” literally “guardian angel.” Folklore dictates that the placenta must be interred beneath the floor next to the mother’s bed, ensuring that each time she rises, the child walks over the sacred relic, thereby receiving an animal‑shaped spirit guide that mirrors their personality.
4 Birth Control
While many societies link the placenta to fertility, some have turned it into a contraceptive talisman. In certain Hungarian regions, women would burn the placenta to ash and mix it into a drink for their male partner, a ritual intended to halt further childbearing.
In Russia’s Chkalov province, the orientation of a buried placenta determines its effect: cord‑upward burial is said to encourage continued pregnancies, whereas flipping the cord downward is believed to block conception. Families could repeat the burial, alternating orientation, to regulate the pace of childbearing across generations.
3 Cosmetics
Human placenta is a treasure trove of proteins and enzymes, which can be harvested to create compounds like alkaline phosphatase for cosmetic formulations. These ingredients are prized for stimulating skin cell turnover, reducing wrinkles, and fortifying hair shafts, making them popular in premium creams, serums, and shampoos.
In 2008, a scandal erupted in the United Kingdom when Poole Hospital was found selling donated placentas to cosmetic manufacturers. Many women believed they were contributing to groundbreaking medical research, only to discover their tissue was being commercialized. The hospital defended the practice, labeling the proceeds as “donations” that funded lifesaving equipment, igniting a debate over ethical tissue use.
2 Stem Cell Therapy
Once discarded as medical waste, the umbilical cord’s blood is now recognized as a rich source of hematopoietic stem cells—cells capable of generating red and white blood cells as well as platelets. These cord‑blood stem cells have been employed in transplants for children battling leukemia and other blood disorders, with ongoing research exploring adult applications.
Compared with bone‑marrow harvesting, cord‑blood collection is painless, risk‑free for both mother and baby, and tends to provoke fewer rejection episodes. This makes cord‑blood banking an attractive option for families seeking future therapeutic possibilities.
1 Ophthalmology
Although amniotic membranes are no longer used for skin grafts, ophthalmologists have embraced them over the past two decades for a range of eye conditions. The thin, biologically active layers can support regeneration of the cornea, lens, conjunctiva, and even eyelid tissues, acting as a scaffold that encourages healthy cell growth.
These membranes also function as a “biological bandage,” covering ocular wounds while gradually dissolving as the underlying tissue heals. By reducing inflammation and preventing scar formation, the amniotic dressing offers a gentler, more natural alternative to synthetic eye‑treatments.