The placenta is one of the most misunderstood organs in pregnancy, yet it plays a central role in implantation, miscarriage risk, fetal growth, preeclampsia, birth complications, and postpartum recovery.

In this episode of Healthy As A Mother, Dr. Morgan delivers a clear, grounded crash course on the placenta: what it is, how it forms, how it functions, and what can go wrong. We unpack common myths, explain real risks without fear, and clarify why the placenta quietly determines so many pregnancy outcomes.

This conversation is designed to replace anxiety with understanding and confusion with clarity, so parents can make informed decisions throughout pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.

In this episode, we cover:

1. What the placenta actually is and why it’s often called the baby’s “twin”
2. How implantation and early placental development affect pregnancy outcomes
3. Why male fertility and sperm health matter more than most people realize
4. Placental anatomy explained simply (chorion, amnion, Wharton’s jelly)
5. Common placental variations and what they really mean
6. Serious placental complications and how they’re managed
7. First-trimester bleeding and subchorionic hemorrhage
8. Placental insufficiency, fetal growth restriction, and preeclampsia
9. The third stage of labor and birthing the placenta
10. Active vs expectant management and Pitocin use
11. Retained placenta, postpartum hemorrhage, and recovery
12. What to do with the placenta after birth: encapsulation, burial, lotus birth, or disposal

Educational purposes only. Always consult your healthcare provider for personal medical care.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – Why the placenta matters more than people think

03:00 – Placenta development and implantation

09:00 – Male fertility, sperm health, and pregnancy outcomes

15:00 – Placental anatomy explained simply

18:30 – Cord insertions and placental variants

22:00 – Velamentous cord insertion and vasa previa

27:00 – Placental positioning and placenta previa

32:00 – Placenta accreta and surgical risks

37:00 – Subchorionic hemorrhage and first-trimester bleeding

42:00 – Placental insufficiency and fetal growth restriction

45:00 – Preeclampsia explained

48:30 – Placental abruption

50:00 – Retained placenta and postpartum hemorrhage

53:30 – Birthing the placenta (third stage of labor)

56:00 – Pitocin and hospital management

59:00 – What to do with the placenta after birth

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Find more from Dr. Leah:

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Find more from Dr. Morgan:

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Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Website

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