Long ago, I heard from the elders that childbirth could heal a mother’s body—that certain illnesses might disappear after having a baby. The belief suggests that it’s not just the mother who sacrifices for her child; in fact, the baby starts giving back even before it is born.
I shared this belief with my children, suggesting it could be nature’s way of ensuring mothers live long enough to care for their babies. Though they were skeptical, I held on to the idea.
Recently, I decided to fact-check this traditional belief and was surprised to find scientific research that supports it. Last weekend, I shared these findings with my daughter.
Studies now show that fetal-maternal stem cell transfer plays a key role in the maternal healing process. For example, a 2015 study published in Circulation Research found that fetal stem cells may help repair maternal organs, particularly the heart. The research even identified Cdx2 cells as a promising avenue for cardiovascular regenerative therapy.
Furthermore, research in PMC demonstrated that fetal cells migrate into the mother’s body during pregnancy and can remain for decades. These microchimeric fetal cells have been discovered in various maternal tissues, including blood, bone marrow, skin, and liver, suggesting their long-term role in maternal health.
Another 2016 study published in Springer explored the link between fetal cell microchimerism and maternal cancers, noting that these fetal cells can establish lineages within the mother and persist for many years, potentially influencing her health. There’s even a dedicated Wikipedia page on Microchimerism, underscoring the growing interest in this phenomenon.
I also came across intriguing articles showing how children may influence their parents' life expectancy. For example, a study by the Max Planck Institute found that parents often live longer, though the reasons remain unclear. Another study from the University of California suggests that women who have children later in life tend to live longer than those who become mothers at a younger age.
I was surprised to find so much research exploring the possible link between motherhood and a mother’s health and longevity.
When I shared this information with my daughter, I wanted her to see how some traditional Chinese beliefs, often dismissed as mere superstition, carry deep wisdom that modern science is only beginning to explore. This knowledge, passed down through generations, reflects an understanding of life that transcends cultural boundaries. I encouraged her to remain open-minded and appreciate how both Eastern and Western perspectives can offer valuable insights. After all, just because something isn’t yet proven by science doesn’t mean it isn’t true—sometimes, ancient wisdom is simply ahead of its time, waiting for people to explore and understand.