The most powerful ties are the ones to the people who gave us birth... it hardly seems to matter how many years have passed, have many betrayals there may have been, how much misery in the family: We remain connected, even against our wills.
“If a pregnant mother experiences acute or chronic stress, her body will manufacture stress hormones (including adrenaline and noradrenaline) that travel through her bloodstream to the womb, inducing the same stressful state in the unborn child."
Verny goes on to say, “Our studies show that mothers under extreme and constant stress are more likely to have babies who are premature, lower than average in weight, hyperactive, irritable, and colicky. In extreme instances, these babies may be born with thumbs sucked raw or even with ulcers.”
The ancient poet Virgil declared, “Love conquers all.” If only our love is great enough, our relationship, no matter how difficult, will surely succeed.
According to Rachel Yehuda, epigenetic changes biologically prepare us to cope with the traumas that our parents experienced. In preparation for similar stressors, we're born with a specific set of tools to help us survive.