Your Baby Leaves Behind Something In Your Body Before Birth

When your baby is growing, he leaves behind many memories, some great home videos, photos and the like. All those cherished moments will soon become far and few, as he grows up. If you’ve been on the receiving end of too many toddler tantrums, you’ll probably want to wind the clock back to his babyhood.

But, what if I told you, babies are genetically designed to leave stuff behind. Even though we have quite a few mommies pointing fingers at us, we aren’t referring to his toys. Did you know that babies begin leaving things behind right after their birth? Well, you didn’t, did you? We did give you a hint.

Infants begin shedding fetal cells before they pop out of their mom. So basically, you, the mommy, carry some remnants of your little one in your body. In some cases, the fetal cells may remain inside your body even years later. Touching, isn’t it? So, it turns out that your little one was always primed to leave things behind. This is perhaps a prelude of him outgrowing his cute little onesies, or his gaily-colored crib and moving on to whizzing around the house, with you in close pursuit.

But, is this a mere gesture of gratitude, or does the presence of fetal cells in your body have some scientific reasons? Well, studies and research have been, in want of a better word, inconsistent.

One group of researchers believe that fetal cells must exist to ensure that fetal rejection doesn’t happen. And, instead of fighting these cells, the body helps nurture their growth. Maybe baby cells like giving back to the mom. Some studies suggest that fetal cells can help a mom fight off diseases by keeping malignant cells and tumor formations to a minimum.

Though initial studies indicate that these cells may prevent diseases like cancer, there is much research needed to understand the primary function of residual fetal cells.

The results of another study indicate something else. While studying cancer afflicted moms, doctors found that baby DNA had triggered the malignant tumor formation. The results of this test suggest that the initial theory may yet prove inconclusive.

But, what is the truth? Well, all these residual cells may trigger adverse effects. While fetal DNA may keep some moms healthy, others have to pay for them. Rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid conditions, lupus, and other autoimmune diseases can be attributed to the presence of residual fetal cells. Essentially, fetal cells are foreign bodies that may confuse immune responses, and the immune system may turn on itself and attack your body.

However, there is still much research left, and many mysteries to be unraveled about residual fetal cells. What remains to be seen is what they could mean for moms. For now, we are going to perceive them as they are — another incredible thing about you and your baby’s sacred connection.

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