How Pregnancy Is Like Growing an Alien Inside You

Pregnancy is a complex biological process where a fetus develops inside a parent, supported by the placenta. The placenta facilitates nutrient and waste exchange while protecting the fetus from the parent's immune system. Hormonal changes occur to support fetal growth, sometimes leading to conditions like gestational diabetes. The fetus can influence the parent's body, and fetal cells may remain in the parent long after birth, a phenomenon known as microchimerism.

How does the fetus manipulate the parent's body for its own benefit?

What is gestational diabetes and how can it affect pregnancy?

Discuss the concept of microchimerism in the context of pregnancy.

What are some potential long-term effects of carrying fetal cells in the parent's body?