Everything You Were Never Taught About the Placenta (And Why It Matters So Much) | #150
Wed Feb 04 2026
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:
What the placenta actually is and why it’s often called the baby’s “twin”How implantation and early placental development affect pregnancy outcomesWhy male fertility and sperm health matter more than most people realizePlacental anatomy explained simply (chorion, amnion, Wharton’s jelly)Common placental variations and what they really meanSerious placental complications and how they’re managedFirst-trimester bleeding and subchorionic hemorrhagePlacental insufficiency, fetal growth restriction, and preeclampsiaThe third stage of labor and birthing the placentaActive vs expectant management and Pitocin useRetained placenta, postpartum hemorrhage, and recoveryWhat 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
➡️ New episodes every Wednesday
Find more from Dr. Leah:
Dr. Leah Gordon | Instagram
Dr. Leah Gordon | Website
Womanhood Wellness | Website
Find more from Dr. Morgan:
Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Instagram
Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Website
Use code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 10% at Fond
Use code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 15% at Redmond
For 20% off your first order at Needed, use code HEALTHYMOTHER
Save $260 at Lumebox, use code HEALTHYASAMOTHER
More
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: What the placenta actually is and why it’s often called the baby’s “twin”How implantation and early placental development affect pregnancy outcomesWhy male fertility and sperm health matter more than most people realizePlacental anatomy explained simply (chorion, amnion, Wharton’s jelly)Common placental variations and what they really meanSerious placental complications and how they’re managedFirst-trimester bleeding and subchorionic hemorrhagePlacental insufficiency, fetal growth restriction, and preeclampsiaThe third stage of labor and birthing the placentaActive vs expectant management and Pitocin useRetained placenta, postpartum hemorrhage, and recoveryWhat 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 ➡️ New episodes every Wednesday Find more from Dr. Leah: Dr. Leah Gordon | Instagram Dr. Leah Gordon | Website Womanhood Wellness | Website Find more from Dr. Morgan: Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Instagram Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Website Use code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 10% at Fond Use code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 15% at Redmond For 20% off your first order at Needed, use code HEALTHYMOTHER Save $260 at Lumebox, use code HEALTHYASAMOTHER