By Lovetti Lafua
Nurse • Midwife • Biologist • Maternal Health Advocate • Human Optimization Researcher

The Third Stage of Labour: Why The Placenta Is The Most Critical Moment After Birth

Many people think birth ends when the baby arrives. But the birth of the placenta is one of the most dangerous moments for mothers. Understanding this stage can save lives.

When a baby is born, everyone celebrates.

The room fills with joy, cameras come out, and the focus immediately shifts to the newborn.

But from a midwife’s perspective, the most important work may still be happening inside the mother’s body.

The placenta has not yet been born.

And this short window of time often overlooked is when the greatest risk to a mother’s life can occur.

Across the world, postpartum haemorrhage remains one of the leading causes of maternal death.

And it happens most often during the birth of the placenta.

If you want to learn how the body protects women during birth, make sure to subscribe to our News Letter for part 2