Ishita Roy

What Happens To Mother's DNA During Pregnancy?

<span>Pregnancy</span> is not just about nurturing a new life, but a lot more. In fact, when the mother's body undergoes changes, the impact of it stays long. This is also the time when fetal cells also cross the placenta into the mother's body. What does it mean? It means that the baby's DNA will embed themselves in the mother's tissues and her organs, this is also known as micro chimerism. 

As early as a few weeks after conception, fetal DNA begins circulating in the mother’s bloodstream. By the end of pregnancy, up to 10% of the DNA in her blood originates from the fetus. While most of these cells fade postpartum, some persist indefinitely. Remarkably, these cells can integrate into vital organs like the skin, heart, and brain, becoming a part of the mother’s body.

This transfer isn’t limited to full-term pregnancies. Even after miscarriages or terminations, fetal cells can linger in the mother’s body. With each pregnancy, the mother accumulates more of these cells, creating a complex biological mosaic of her own cells, her mother’s, and her children’s.

<h4>The Good, The Bad, and What We Donot Know About</h4>

Fetal cells are not always the best suitable for the mother's body. There are studies that suggest that while some fetal cells may be helpful, some could actually have harmful roles in the body. 

<strong>Healing Power: </strong>These cells can congregate at wound sites and promote new blood vessel formation. It can, in some events, also accelerate recovery, especially during C-section. 

<strong>Immunity Booster: </strong>These fetal cells can also enhance the mother's immune surveillance. This can also be used to reduce cancer risks and improve longevity. Women with fetal microchimerism have also shown lower mortality rates in some studies. Though, a lot more work is required to prove this. 

<strong>Health Risks:</strong> Talking about health risks, there is a flip side to the fetal cells. These cells could be linked to autoimmune conditions like lupus and rheumatoid arthimitis. Although, the extraction is unclear. 

This was discovered by Lee Nelson, rheumatologist at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, who first began researching autoimmune disorders in the 1980s, with the assumption that it shows up more often in women due to female sex hormones. However, what did not make sense was, if hormones were the culprit, why did it not reflect during woman's reproductive years, rather it reflected later in life. 

This discovery was made in 1994, a colleague who is a specialized in prenatal diagnosis called Nelson to say that a blood sample from a female technician in his lab was found to contain male DNA a full year after the birth of her son. For Nelson, it set off a light bulb. Since, the developing fetus is genetically half-foreign to the mother, Nelson set out to investigate whether it could be that pregnancy poses a long-term challenge to women's health. 

Evolutionary biologists propose that pregnancy is a balance of cooperation and conflict. The fetus, genetically distinct, demands resources for its growth, sometimes at the mother’s expense. Fetal cells might subtly influence the mother’s body even after birth, helping with lactation or delaying subsequent pregnancies to ensure their survival.

Microchimerism challenges traditional views of individuality. As cells from previous generations and offspring intermingle, they create a shared biological narrative. This extraordinary process underscores the complexity and interconnectedness of life, offering new insights into health, disease, and the profound bond between mother and child.

Health Conditions A-Z

health

autoimmune disease

autoimmune diseases in women

pregnancy

baby DNA in mother

parenting

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Pregnancy is not just about nurturing a new life, but a lot more. In fact, when the mother's body undergoes changes, the impact of it stays long. This is also the time when fetal cells also cross the placenta into the mother's body. What does it mean? It means that the baby's DNA will embed themselves in the mother's tissues and her organs, this is also known as micro chimerism. Fetal Cells And The Journey As early as a few weeks after conception, fetal DNA begins circulating in the mother’s bloodstream. By the end of pregnancy, up to 10% of the DNA in her blood originates from the fetus. While most of these cells fade postpartum, some persist indefinitely. Remarkably, these cells can integrate into vital organs like the skin, heart, and brain, becoming a part of the mother’s body.This transfer isn’t limited to full-term pregnancies. Even after miscarriages or terminations, fetal cells can linger in the mother’s body. With each pregnancy, the mother accumulates more of these cells, creating a complex biological mosaic of her own cells, her mother’s, and her children’s.The Good, The Bad, and What We Donot Know AboutFetal cells are not always the best suitable for the mother's body. There are studies that suggest that while some fetal cells may be helpful, some could actually have harmful roles in the body. Healing Power: These cells can congregate at wound sites and promote new blood vessel formation. It can, in some events, also accelerate recovery, especially during C-section. Immunity Booster: These fetal cells can also enhance the mother's immune surveillance. This can also be used to reduce cancer risks and improve longevity. Women with fetal microchimerism have also shown lower mortality rates in some studies. Though, a lot more work is required to prove this. Health Risks: Talking about health risks, there is a flip side to the fetal cells. These cells could be linked to autoimmune conditions like lupus and rheumatoid arthimitis. Although, the extraction is unclear. This was discovered by Lee Nelson, rheumatologist at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, who first began researching autoimmune disorders in the 1980s, with the assumption that it shows up more often in women due to female sex hormones. However, what did not make sense was, if hormones were the culprit, why did it not reflect during woman's reproductive years, rather it reflected later in life. This discovery was made in 1994, a colleague who is a specialized in prenatal diagnosis called Nelson to say that a blood sample from a female technician in his lab was found to contain male DNA a full year after the birth of her son. For Nelson, it set off a light bulb. Since, the developing fetus is genetically half-foreign to the mother, Nelson set out to investigate whether it could be that pregnancy poses a long-term challenge to women's health. A Biological Tug-of-WarEvolutionary biologists propose that pregnancy is a balance of cooperation and conflict. The fetus, genetically distinct, demands resources for its growth, sometimes at the mother’s expense. Fetal cells might subtly influence the mother’s body even after birth, helping with lactation or delaying subsequent pregnancies to ensure their survival.A Legacy Beyond PregnancyMicrochimerism challenges traditional views of individuality. As cells from previous generations and offspring intermingle, they create a shared biological narrative. This extraordinary process underscores the complexity and interconnectedness of life, offering new insights into health, disease, and the profound bond between mother and child.