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Exchanging Cells

Found this article about transfer of cells between mother and fetus specially how long the cells can remain there fascinating. It explains the strength of the bond which for better or worse is one that cannot be shook off. As with any other phenomenon, it is likely that the nature and extent of exchange varies between different pregnant mothers resulting in different outcomes. 

If the mother's natural instinct to to protect the baby and her body works in tandem to help her achieve this goal, perhaps she acts as a lightning arrestor that diverts and consumes all harm that comes her baby's way. She would need to absorb it all if she it not capable of releasing it from herself. It is no surprise to see women become entirely different versions of who they used to be after childbirth - specially those that had to go through situations that called on and depleted their mental and physical resources to make it to the finish line.

“If these fetal cells are interacting with maternal physiology, where in the maternal body would we expect the greatest effect on function? That’s been a big question mark. Putting this into an evolutionary context was incredibly clever and novel and very exciting. It’s a beautiful example of theory driving testable predictions."

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