Each pregnancy alters your body irrevocably. And we don’t mean the stretch marks or the scars. We mean the forever-changed DNA. Ask any new mother and she’ll list out a litany of things that are now different for her. Like a forgetful mommy brain that, according to science, makes the mother-child bond stronger.
We at Bright Side salute all moms and believe that they are real-life superheroes. To honor all mothers, we found some mommy facts proving there’s nothing like a mother’s love. Or the science behind it.
1. Motherhood changes you, and your DNA.
A chimera is a legendary beast made of different animals. And we are likening mothers to chimeras because every child that a mother carries leaves their DNA inside her. Basically, fetal cells enter a mother’s bloodstream and stay in her body forever. Researchers allege that these cells can affect the mother both positively and negatively. On one hand, it can speed up healing but on the flip side, it can increase the risk of cancer.
So when they say motherhood changes you, it does so at an elemental level as well. Jennifer Garner’s stunning countenance reflects just that.
2. The baby can taste what their mother eats.
Studies show that what a mother eats flavors the amniotic fluid. Something a baby gulps down several times a day. Basically, a baby can taste what their mother eats from within the womb.
A study showed that infants whose mothers ate carrots while pregnant seemed to enjoy cereal prepared with carrot juice more than others. So if you want to develop your baby’s palate for healthy, crunchy veggies, chow down on them while you are pregnant.
3. Kissing babies is more “healing” than we think.
Any new mom will tell you that the urge to kiss a newborn is intense. It’s innate and biological in nature. And science says that when mothers kiss their babies, it’s not just love, it’s medicine.
A mother’s body samples the pathogens found on the baby’s face, and more magic happens within her own body. Especially to her breastmilk, the main source of nutrition and immunity for the baby.
4. Pregnant women make enormous amounts of estrogen.
Pregnancy sends a woman’s body into overdrive. The uterus expands to 500 times its normal size and then shrinks back after birth. The blood volume increases and to tackle that, the heart expands a little too.
And it’s not just this, a woman makes more estrogen in a single pregnancy than she would in her whole lifetime if she never got pregnant. There’s a reason why women are exhausted when expecting and need sleep and rest for a healthy delivery and recovery.
5. A mother’s smile is near magical.
Moms are near magic, and so is their smile or affection. While you need your mother at all ages, it’s the helpless infant who is most dependent on their mom.
Studies show that when mothers smile, coo, and show affection to their babies, their heartbeats synchronize into the same beat. So if a baby is distressed, it calms them down. This is the reason why newborns need mothers the most when they are fussy and refuse to be calmed down by other family members.
6. Carrying boys can make you more nauseous.
There’s a reason why little boys are made of “snips and snails and puppy dog tails” or so goes the nursery rhyme. This is because mothers who carry boys are more likely to be nauseous in the first and second trimesters, a study shows.
This is not to say that women expecting girls cannot have morning sickness or that all women who carry boys have more nausea. It’s just that if you are expecting a boy, chances are you may experience more nausea or food aversions.
7. Babies name their mamas.
“Mom, mama, mummy, mamma, ammi, ma, me, emi, mimi.” There’s a pattern in the name for mother in all languages and this is because the “em” sounds are usually the first vocalization for a baby. It’s also the easiest sound a baby can make while babbling. And so it’s our babies who name us and call us mamas.
8. The mommy brain fog is very real.
If you see new moms looking lost, there’s a scientific reason for this. Each pregnancy affects a woman’s brain and makes her lose gray matter. The effects last for around 2 years. Science says that this temporary bewilderment makes mothers closer to their babies as well.
That said, the gray matter regenerates and any confusion or forgetfulness is passing. The bond between a mother and her child is permanent.
9. A mother’s voice is as soothing as a hug.
A study has shown that a mother’s voice, even on the telephone, is as calming as a hug. Researchers introduced stress to a group of girls and then had 1/3 of them hug their mothers, another 1/3 of them talk to their mothers, and 1/3 watched an emotionally neutral film. The girls who spoke to their mothers calmed down much faster, just like those who hugged.
This proves that if you are under stress, your mother’s voice can flood oxytocin into your bloodstream, making you feel better. And we think Jennifer Garner already knows that, pictured here with her mother.
10. Babies can cry in the womb.
The baby’s first cry is not post-birth, rather studies now show that they can express displeasure inside the womb. This can happen as early as 28 weeks gestation.
Researchers played low-decibel sounds on the mother’s belly and could see that the baby opened their mouth and exhibited crying-like behavior. But it’s a silent cry. Researchers also added that this in-vitro crying was nothing the mother should worry about.
11. Pregnancies leave women vulnerable to tooth decay.
Pregnant women are at risk for tooth decay and there are many reasons why. The changes in diet due to cravings may give some women a sweet tooth and the hormones that cause nausea, meaning more acidity on your mouth, to mention a few. This leads to gum disease and decay.
A simple way to prevent it all is by making oral health a priority, especially when you are pregnant.
12. The earliest milk bottle use came to be 7,000 years ago.
As it turns out, the breast/bottle debate is prehistoric. And mamas back then were pretty innovative too. Researchers have found little clay vessels, some shaped into mythical animals with hands and feet, with milk residue in them.
The earliest of them date back to 7,000 years ago and have been identified as prehistoric feeding bottles for babies. The dairy residue has been identified as breastmilk and milk from a cow, sheep, or goat.
13. The Ice Age made human breast milk more nutritious.
Human beings need sunlight to survive because our bodies only synthesize vitamin D in the sun. Allegedly, the last Ice Age should have wiped us out because newborns were not getting any vitamin D, considering the intense cold and lack of sunshine.
Scientists believe that a genetic tweak happened and mothers could transmit vitamin D and essential fatty acids to their newborn babies, and this may have ensured human survival.
14. Pregnancies can be contagious.
A study of more than 30,000 women conducted in Germany has indicated that pregnancy is contagious. It spreads from woman to woman in workplaces, in an endearing way. The results stated that “in the year after a colleague gives birth, transition rates to first pregnancies double.”
So if you are in the workplace and someone is pregnant, expect more pregnancies to pop up.
15. Most mammal moms carry their babies on the left.
Human mothers and even some mammal mamas cradle their babies on the left side of their bodies, closer to their heart. This is irrespective of a left-handed or right-handed mom. Science says that all the sensory information that comes from the left side of the body is processed on the right side of the brain.
The right side is where all the emotions are. And surprisingly enough, babies prefer to keep their moms on their left side as well, so it works for both mom and babe.
Bonus: Celebrity moms speak about motherhood.
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley
“I did start to feel this new sense of life. And now my confidence is so much greater.”
Lauren Burnham Luyendyk
“Breastfeeding is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. I’m in awe of the ladies that make it look so effortless, and even the ones who don’t, you are superheroes.”
Do you have any other experiences as a child or a mother that show us that moms are actual superhumans? Share your motherhood stories with us and spread the joy.
Please note: This article was updated in June 2022 to correct source material and factual inaccuracies.
Preview photo credit laurenluyendyk / Instagram
My MIL ‘Kindly’ Threw a Surprise Dinner Party on Having Our Newborn – What She Did at the End Made Me Go Pale
My MIL ‘Kindly’ Threw a Surprise Dinner Party on Having Our Newborn – What She Did at the End Made Me Go Pale
When Karen threw a lavish birthday bash, she never expected her own extravagant celebration to backfire. But when her son and daughter-in-law turned the tables, the party’s final twist revealed more than just the evening’s costs, exposing long-hidden family tensions.
Woman with her baby | Source: Pexels
I gave birth to our first baby, a beautiful little girl named Emma. It was a tough labor, but the joy of holding my daughter for the first time made everything worth it. On the day of discharge, my mother-in-law, Karen, met us with her hands full of gifts. She said she prepared a surprise for us at home.
Although I was exhausted from the complicated labor, I agreed. I didn’t want to neglect her efforts. We came home and saw a fancy party with food from an expensive catering service and luxurious decorations.
A party | Source: Pexels
My jaw dropped. I was pleasantly shocked, wondering how much money she spent. We thought the meals and supplies were kind gestures because my in-laws are loaded with money, and we never asked for anything.
As the evening wound down, Karen approached us with a smirk. “I hope you enjoyed the party,” she began. “Now, let’s talk about settling the bill. I’ve tallied everything up, and it comes to $4,000. You can transfer the money to my account by the end of the week.”
Elderly lady | Source: Pexels
I was speechless. My husband, Jake, was equally stunned. He managed to ask, “What are you talking about? We thought this was a gift.”
Karen’s smile never wavered. “Oh, it was. A gift of my time and effort. You didn’t expect all this for free, did you? My sister threw a similar party for her granddaughter, and I can’t look bad in front of the family. So, it’s only fair you cover the costs.”
Shocked woman with green eyes | Source: Pexels
Jake looked at me, and I could see the anger in his eyes. “This is insane, Mom. We just had a baby. We don’t have that kind of money lying around.”
Karen shrugged. “Well, that’s not my problem. You two are adults now. It’s time to take responsibility.”
Jake clenched his fists. “You know what, Mom? This isn’t fair. We never asked for this party. We never agreed to pay for it.”
Angry frustrated man | Source: Pexels
Karen sighed, her smile fading. “I thought you’d be more grateful. But fine, if that’s how you feel. Just know that everyone in the family is expecting you to step up.”
I squeezed Jake’s hand, trying to calm him down. “Let’s just talk about this later,” I said softly. “We’re too tired to deal with this right now.”
Elderly lady smirks | Source: Pexels
Karen raised an eyebrow. “Don’t think you can just ignore this. I want that money by the end of the week.”
We nodded, and she left, leaving us in the middle of the extravagant decorations. I looked around, feeling the weight of the situation sink in. “What are we going to do?” I whispered.
Couple in front of the window | Source: Pexels
Jake shook his head. “We’ll figure something out. But first, let’s get some rest. We need to think clearly.”
That night, as we lay in bed, we talked about Karen’s outrageous demand. “She’s always been like this,” Jake said. “Always trying to control everything. But this is too much.”
Couple in bed | Source: Pexels
I nodded. “We need to set boundaries. This isn’t just about us anymore. It’s about Emma too.”
Jake agreed. “We can’t let her walk all over us. But we need to be smart about it. We can’t afford a fight right now.”
I thought for a moment. “Maybe there’s a way to teach her a lesson. Something that will make her realize she can’t manipulate us like this.”
Woman in bed looks at the camera | Source: Pexels
Jake looked at me curiously. “What do you have in mind?”
I smiled. “Let’s just say, she won’t see it coming.”
Jake grinned. “I’m in. Whatever it takes.”
Man looks to the side while a woman sleeps next to him | Source: Pexels
As we drifted off to sleep, I felt a sense of determination. Karen might think she can control us, but she has another thing coming. We’re going to show her that we’re not pushovers.
Our lives had changed with Emma’s arrival, and it was time for a new beginning. One where we stood up for ourselves and our family. And Karen was about to learn that the hard way.
Woman and her baby on the beach | Source: Pexels
A few months later, Karen organized a grand birthday party for herself. She loved to show off her wealth and status. She spared no expense, hiring a top-tier event planner, booking a fancy venue, and inviting everyone she knew. It was the perfect opportunity for our revenge.
The party was in full swing, and Karen was basking in the attention. My husband and I mingled with the guests, making sure everyone was having a good time. Then, as the evening was winding down, we decided it was time to strike.
Man toasting | Source: Pexels
My husband stood up and clinked his glass, drawing everyone’s attention. “Ladies and gentlemen,” he began, “I want to thank you all for coming to celebrate my mother’s birthday. It’s been a wonderful evening, and I’m sure we all appreciate the effort she’s put into making this event so special.”
Karen beamed, soaking up the applause.
Stylish elderly lady | Source: Pexels
“And to show our gratitude,” my husband continued, “we’ve decided to do something special for her. Given how much effort and money she spent organizing such a grand event, we thought it would be appropriate for everyone to contribute to the costs. After all, it’s only fair we share the burden of such an elaborate celebration.”
Karen’s smile froze, and a murmur of confusion spread through the crowd. “What are you talking about?” she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
Shocked elderly woman | Source: Pexels
I stood up beside my husband. “Well, Mom, you taught us the importance of sharing the costs for special events. Just like the party you threw for us when our daughter was born, we believe it’s only fair that everyone pitches in.”
We handed out envelopes to the guests, each containing a suggested contribution amount based on the estimated costs we had gathered. The guests, though initially bewildered, started to nod in agreement, some even laughing at the irony of the situation.
Money envelope | Source: Pexels
Karen was livid but couldn’t say anything without exposing her own hypocrisy. She was trapped. If she refused the contributions, she would have to explain why she demanded money from us in the first place. If she accepted, her reputation would take a hit.
One guest, Mr. Thompson, chuckled. “Well, Karen, you did set the standard with that lovely party for your granddaughter. It’s only fair we help out.”
Crown toasting | Source: Pexels
Another guest, Mrs. Davis, smiled. “Yes, Karen. We wouldn’t want you to bear all the costs alone. It’s the least we can do.”
Karen forced a smile, her eyes narrowing. “I appreciate the sentiment, but really, it’s not necessary.”
Jake shook his head. “No, Mom. It’s only right. We wouldn’t want you to feel unappreciated.”
Angry elderly woman | Source: Pexels
Karen looked around, realizing she was cornered. “Very well,” she said through gritted teeth. “If everyone insists.”
We watched as the guests began to place their contributions in the envelopes, chatting and laughing. Karen’s face was a mask of barely contained rage. She was livid but couldn’t say anything without looking bad.
Angry Karen with a cake | Source: Midjourney
After the party, we gathered our things. Karen approached us, her voice low and angry. “I can’t believe you did this to me,” she hissed.
Jake smiled. “Mom, you taught us well. It’s only fair, remember?”
Karen glared at us but said nothing more. We left the party, feeling a sense of satisfaction. It was a small victory, but it felt good.
Happy couple | Source: Unsplash
Karen never dared to pull a stunt like that again, and the family finally saw her true colors. The rest of the family started treating us with more respect, realizing we weren’t going to be pushed around.
As we drove home, Jake squeezed my hand. “I think we did the right thing,” he said.
I nodded. “Definitely. We stood up for ourselves and for Emma. That’s what matters.”
Happy family in a field | Source: Pexels
Jake smiled. “Here’s to more victories.”
“Here’s to us,” I replied, feeling hopeful for the future.
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