NHS surgeon says certain pregnancy complications can be ‘failures of paternal biology’, so men need preconception too

Dr Rajan stresses that male genetics plays a crucial role in placenta-formation, which can influence pregnancy complications later.

Pregnancy is often framed as a woman’s sole responsibility, with society quick to blame her body when complications arise. But growing evidence shows that men’s biology and genetics play an equally crucial role - influencing everything from placental development to pregnancy risks. Far from being a one-sided process, pregnancy is shaped by both parents’ contributions, and paternal factors can be just as decisive in determining outcomes.

Dr Karan Rajan, a UK-based NHS surgeon and popular health content creator, has highlighted how paternal biology and genetics shape pregnancy - from significantly influencing placental growth to contributing to certain pregnancy-related complications. In an Instagram video posted on August 28, the surgeon stresses, “Despite the biological reality, society still continues to act as though pregnancy is solely the woman's responsibility and burden. But building a human Tamagotchi is not a solo project.”

How does the placenta form?

Dr Rajan emphasises that one of the most crucial aspects of pregnancy - placental formation - is largely driven by the father’s contribution, as it is primarily influenced by paternal genes. He humorously compares pregnancy to an aggressive land grab situation, explaining, “In fact, pregnancy is basically a massive internal land grab. The maternal immune system essentially fighting off the foreign placenta and the paternal genes pushing for more foetal growth.”

The placenta isn’t a gentle or passive organ; it actively embeds itself into the mother’s uterine lining to secure the nutrients the foetus needs. The surgeon elaborates, “The placenta isn't a gentle, cooperative organ. It's an almost parasitic entity that hijacks the mother's bodies to get the foetus what it wants. The father's gene determines how aggressive and how deep the placenta invades into the uterus and the demands on the mother. It's like an alien species terraforming the uterus to maximize resource extraction from the mother to optimise foetal growth.”

Some pregnancy complications can be due to male genetics

Dr Rajan emphasises that since placental formation is heavily influenced by the father’s genes, some pregnancy complications like preeclampsia - which happens when the placenta doesn’t implant deeply enough in the uterus, leading to poor blood flow in the foetus - can be considered “failures of paternal biology." He adds, “Paternal genes can also influence gestational diabetes, miscarriages, and even foetal growth restriction.”

Preconception for men

Dr Rajan highlights that sperm take roughly three months - around 64 to 74 days - to fully develop, meaning the lifestyle choices made during this window can directly influence fertility and the health of the placenta, which carries half of the father’s DNA. This makes a healthy preconception period essential for men.

He elaborates, “That means the diet, sleep, stress, alcohol, smoking, and environmental exposures in the three months before conception can directly influence sperm quality (DNA integrity, motility, morphology). Most fertility guidelines recommend men start optimising at least three months before trying for a baby - treating it almost like a ‘male preconception period’ - just as women are advised to optimise their health.”

Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. It is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.