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Episodes
Wednesday Sep 03, 2025
Wednesday Sep 03, 2025
Ep. 377: The Myth of the Aging Placenta with Sophie Messager, Phd
Have you ever been told your placenta might be “too old”? Maybe you’ve heard that once you hit 35 or if you’ve conceived through IVF, your placenta just can’t keep up. This so-called “aging placenta” idea gets tossed around a lot, but here’s the truth: it’s a myth.
In this episode of The Birth Lounge Podcast, I’m joined by the incredible Dr. Sophie Messager, a former reproductive psychologist and current doula, to set the record straight. Together, we dive into:
The history of the “aging placenta” myth and how it gained traction
What science really says about how the placenta changes in late pregnancy
Why these misconceptions can strip away maternal autonomy and fuel unnecessary interventions
The role of intuition when navigating medical recommendations
How systemic bias and racial disparities play into maternity care
And drumming… yes, you read that right: how drumming can become a powerful, grounding tool during pregnancy
This conversation will give you the knowledge (and confidence) to challenge outdated beliefs and trust that your body isn’t broken. It’’s brilliant.
🎧 Tune in now to reclaim your power and let’s bust this myth together!
00:00 Introduction and Personal Reflections
01:16 Welcome to the Birth Lounge Podcast
01:22 The Birth Lounge App: Your Pregnancy Companion
04:19 Debunking the Myth of the Aging Placenta
05:02 Interview with Sophie Ee: Bridging Science and Doula Work
07:08 Understanding Placental Health and Misconceptions
08:43 The Role of Research and Personal Experiences
17:12 Navigating Medical Advice and Personal Instincts
19:53 The Complexity of Placental Aging and Birth Outcomes
36:50 The Importance of Trusting Maternal Instincts
43:53 The Importance of Counting Kicks
44:48 Trusting Maternal Instincts
45:32 Placental Health in Subsequent Pregnancies
47:40 Respecting the Birth Process
48:56 The Role of the Placenta
54:58 Cultural and Racial Differences in Placental Health
57:00 Challenges in Maternity Care Systems
01:13:55 The Power of Intuition and Spirituality in Birth
01:20:00 Resources and Final Thoughts
Guest Bio:
Sophie Messager bridges worlds that rarely meet. A former reproductive physiologist with a PhD, she traded her microscope for doula work after experiencing the transformative power of an empowered birth. Her decade-long journey as a doula, birth educator, and author of Why Postnatal Recovery Matters deepened her exploration of the rhythms surrounding women’s transitions.
Now a holistic life transition mentor, Sophie guides women through significant life thresholds – from birth to perimenopause and beyond. Her unique combination of scientific expertise and spiritual insight allows her to serve as a compassionate space holder for those seeking to harmonise their analytical and intuitive selves.
SOCIAL MEDIA:
BIRTH EDUCATION:
Join The Birth Lounge here for judgment-free childbirth education that prepares you for an informed birth and how to confidently navigate hospital policy to have a trauma-free labor experience!
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LINKS MENTIONED:
Get 15% off any of Sophie’s online courses with code birthlounge
https://sophiemessager.com/the-myth-of-the-aging-placenta/
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