Radiolab Everybody's Got One
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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.
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Pregnancy as a Struggle
- Pregnancy isn't just about nurturing a fetus; it's a biological struggle between the pregnant person and the fetus.
- The placenta plays a key role in this struggle, acting as an advocate for the fetus.
Placenta's Protective Role
- The embryo, being genetically different from the mother, is seen as a foreign invader by the mother's immune system.
- The placenta's first role is to hide the embryo, preventing an immune attack.
Nutritional Warfare
- The placenta aggressively seeks nutrients from the mother to nourish the growing fetus.
- This sets up a biological "tug-of-war" over resources.