Mmastodon ScienceBiology first seen 18 h ago, last 32 min ago, peak #7

Pregnancy and chimerism: mothers may carry fetal cells for decades

Original: # ICYMI : If you've ever been pregnant, you're a chimera. I've known this for several years. But what this article taugh

A widely shared post highlights fetal microchimerism, the phenomenon in which cells from a fetus cross the placenta and remain in the mother's body, sometimes for decades. The author notes that even a miscarriage more than 20 years ago may have left the embryo's genetic material in her body, where it could potentially be passed on. Readers are discussing how common this is and what it means for pregnancy and genetics.

Why now: A science explainer about fetal cells persisting in mothers is surprising and relatable, prompting wide sharing and discussion.

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Rank over time, top of the chart is #1. 14 snapshots from 18 h ago to 32 min ago.

Evidence

• # ICYMI : If you've ever been pregnant, you're a chimera. I've known this for several years. But what this article taught me is that even though I miscarried at 6 weeks more than 20 years ago, I might still harbor that embryo's genetic material -- and might have passed it to my… · courtcan · 36

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