Radiolab
Everybody's Got One
Mar 21, 2025
Becca Bressler, a talented producer for Radiolab, joins to dissect the often-ignored complexities of pregnancy. She reveals the placenta's surprising role as a vital organ, likening it to a competitive invader in a biological skirmish for resources. The conversation highlights the intense battle between the placenta and the uterus, exploring their evolutionary significance. Bressler also discusses personal stories and cultural views on placentas, offering a unique perspective on their emotional and historical importance in childbirth.
28:12
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Quick takeaways
- The placenta functions not only as a protective organ but also as a complex entity that engages in a resource competition with the mother's body.
- Cultural perspectives on the placenta vary widely, with some societies honoring it through rituals that emphasize its importance, contrasting with modern practices that often neglect its significance.
Deep dives
The Role and Nature of the Placenta
Pregnancy involves the formation of an entirely new organ, the placenta, which plays a critical role in the development of the fetus. Rather than merely providing a protective environment, the placenta actively grows from cells that are part of the fetus, effectively making it a distinct entity within the mother's body. This unique relationship positions the placenta as both a lifeline and an adversary, complicating the dynamics of pregnancy as it seeks to extract nutrients while the mother's body must simultaneously protect itself from this genetically foreign structure. As the pregnancy progresses, the placenta becomes instrumental in regulating nutrient flow, navigating a complex balance between its own needs and those of the mother.
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