(Photo by Jason Drees - ASU Biodesign Institute)

Dramatic research has shown that during pregnancy, cells of the fetus often migrate through the placenta, taking up residence in many areas of the mother’s body, where their influence may benefit or undermine maternal health.

Parents have been known to be willing to do just about anything for their kids.

New research shows an intimate relationship between mother and child begins even before birth, but the effects aren’t always positive. That’s because some fetal cells make their way into the mother’s bloodstream in something known as fetal microchimerism. 

We turn to Amy Boddy who is a researcher in the psychology department at Arizona State University.