Measure the Placenta

Measure the Placenta Our mission is to share info about placenta size as a risk factor to potentially prevent stillbirth

03/11/2026

Research shows that stillbirth can be prevented in at least 25% of pregnancies, with this number being even closer to half at full term.

Measure the Placenta is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization dedicated to improving placental monitoring during pregnancy.

Our mission is to educate and advocate for routine placental measurements during pregnancy, using ultrasound. We are working to do this by elevating prenatal care standards and preventing stillbirth by increasing awareness, engaging healthcare providers, and sharing evidence‑based research.

And to think, at one point these little ones were sustained by the placenta during pregnancy. 🌳 Measure. Track. Prevent....
03/07/2026

And to think, at one point these little ones were sustained by the placenta during pregnancy. 🌳

Measure. Track. Prevent. |

Today is International TAPS Day. Twenty years ago, twin anemia polycythemia sequence (TAPS) was first clearly described ...
03/03/2026

Today is International TAPS Day. Twenty years ago, twin anemia polycythemia sequence (TAPS) was first clearly described as a different pattern in monochorionic twins: one anemic, one polycythemic, often without the fluid or growth differences seen in classical twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome. That work, and follow-up reports in post-laser and spontaneous TAPS, changed how many teams look at these pregnancies and raised new questions about diagnosis and care.
In 2026, the worldwide community is marking a Year of TAPS to recognize that this condition affects families every day, before birth, after birth, and in the long term.
We are joining the 20 Years of TAPS campaign to help raise awareness among clinicians, researchers, and families, and to support ongoing conversations about monitoring, treatment, and follow-up.
For more information, visit internationaltapsday.com.

Lauren & Alayna’s small placenta survivor story: After a high blood pressure reading flagged me for more testing, I ende...
03/03/2026

Lauren & Alayna’s small placenta survivor story:

After a high blood pressure reading flagged me for more testing, I ended up being diagnosed with preeclampsia at 37 weeks and was induced that night.

She shot out so fast, the neonatologist wasn’t even in the room. That’s when we first got a good look at how small she was. She was frail, dark purple, & not moving or breathing. Those few minutes were the longest minutes of my life as we waited for her to breathe. Finally, for what seemed like an eternity as time stood still, she started moving and gurgling.

They brought her over to the warmer and she weighed only 3 pounds 14 oz. I got to hold her one time before they rushed her to the Neonatal ICU. The next 10 days were the hardest days of our lives.

Alayna was hooked up to monitors watching her heart rate and oxygen levels. She had an IV placed to help with fluids, & a tube placed down her nose to help her eat. I was only allowed to hold her for a few minutes so her temperature wouldn’t drop. Just when we thought we weren’t making any progress, Alayna had a huge jump in weight overnight and we were finally able to go home.

Through all this, we found out later on that her placenta measured incredibly small at 351g (normal is 471g+) and had infarcts. When I asked my doctor what that had meant, it seemed like my doctor brushed it off.

Flash forward 6 years: Alayna is the sweetest, most kind girl you will ever meet.

I can’t help but wonder if the placenta was measured if we would’ve had a much different experience. | first time mom, maternal health, NICU grad, pregnancy, third trimester, prenatal care, tiny but mighty, placenta

MTP Board Members Ann and Alicia are attending the Minnesota Affiliate of the American College of Nurse Midwives Optimal...
02/27/2026

MTP Board Members Ann and Alicia are attending the Minnesota Affiliate of the American College of Nurse Midwives Optimal Outcomes conference today (Friday, February 27th) in Minneapolis.

This interdisciplinary annual conference is attended by midwives, nurses, physicians, advanced practice providers, doulas, health professionals, students and community members interested in education on health disparities, promoting physiologic birth, and ways to improve health outcomes in our community.

We are excited to be able to share about the critical importance of the placenta and the role it plays in pregnancy and birth outcomes at this conference. |
Maternal health, prenatal care, OB GYN, OB ultrasound, Estimated Placental Volume, Medical conference, optimal birth outcomes, Midwest midwives, stillbirth prevention, full term stillbirth, preventable stillbirth, maternal morbidity, third trimester, birth rates

Measure. A small or abnormally sized placenta is a risk factor of stillbirth and other adverse pregnancy outcomes. Track...
02/23/2026

Measure. A small or abnormally sized placenta is a risk factor of stillbirth and other adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Track. We aim to elevate prenatal care standards by integrating placental measurements into prenatal care.

Prevent. By knowing the placenta size / percentile, the provider can use this alongside the other factors of the pregnancy in order to risk stratify and come to the best possible birth outcome.


Midwife MFM OB ultrasound Maternal health First time mom Third trimester OBGYN Doula Pregnant The Bump

02/15/2026

While we can never bring back our own babies, we will never stop fighting to improve prenatal care standards in their memory.

Our organization has been working for over 5 years to coordinate with policy makers, providers, advocates, organizations, and so many more to get the placenta prioritized during pregnancy.

A small placenta is a risk factor for stillbirth and other adverse outcomes. Currently, the placenta size is not being measured, monitored, or tracked during prenatal care.

Measure. Track. Prevent. 🌳 |

Full term stillbirth, maternal health, The Bump, OB ultrasound, sonographer, public health, third trimester

Roses are red,Placentas are too. If they could talk,This is what they would tell you. Measure. Track. Prevent. 🌳 | ...
02/14/2026

Roses are red,
Placentas are too.
If they could talk,
This is what they would tell you.

Measure. Track. Prevent. 🌳 |
Maternal health, OBGYN, prenatal care, OB ultrasound, EPV, Estimated Placental Volume, Small placenta stillbirth, preventable stillbirth, full term stillbirth, placenta size, placenta research, third trimester, birth plan

21,000 babies are stillborn in the United States every year. There are simple things that could be implemented and stand...
02/14/2026

21,000 babies are stillborn in the United States every year. There are simple things that could be implemented and standardized to prevent so may of these tragedies from happening.

Our mission is to elevate prenatal care standards through education and awareness.

Measure. Track. Prevent. 🌳 |
Maternal health, OBGYN, OB ultrasound, Benito Bowl, Bad Bunny, Placenta, Prenatal care, advocate like a mother, birth plan

The entire country is being affected by the presence of ICE, including families who are pregnant and need to seek prenat...
02/08/2026

The entire country is being affected by the presence of ICE, including families who are pregnant and need to seek prenatal care.

Already vulnerable populations are being targeted and now at an even higher risk for adverse outcomes.

A UTI should not be a near death sentence.

No parent should fear for their safety so deeply that they cannot access formula or food.

A preventable stillbirth happening due to fear of leaving their home and being unable to make it to an appointment to check cervical length is unacceptable.

How can you help improve safety for vulnerable families and at-risk pregnant patients? Call your representatives, support local organizations and mutual aid where at-risk populations are being threatened.




02/05/2026

Our directors Ann and Alicia recently met with Dr. Anya Arthurs and Professor Claire Roberts of Flinders University in Adelaide, Australia. Ann is here with a video update about the meeting. Flinders University is doing incredible research on circular RNA as a screening tool and causal mechanism for stillbirth.

A simple blood test can show if the placenta is aging too quickly, which could be a risk factor for adverse outcomes. It is another promising tool that could reduce stillbirth rates.

Click on the link in our stories or our bio to check out the research! 🌳




Maternal health Pregnancy health Prenatal care Pregnancy Screening MFM

02/02/2026

Ellory’s dad, Hannes made a symbolic gesture at the end of his first of 12 marathons this year by leaving a pair of his daughter’s unworn baby shoes just before the finish line. Ellory died in August of 2025, just a day after her due date because of an unidentified small placenta - just 291g which was in the .02% tile, too small to continue to sustain her at full term.

To spread awareness and advocacy, Ellory’s dad is running a marathon every month, in locations across the country. Celeste and Hannes, Ellory’s parents are also using this as an opportunity to connect with local organizations and OB clinics to share info on placenta size as a measurable risk factor for stillbirth.

Please check out their web page featured on our website under “Take Action - Racing Awareness” to view the upcoming race schedule and go cheer on Ellory’s dad if you are local! 🌳 |

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3446 Owasso Street
Shoreview, MN
55126

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