You started as an egg inside your grandmother—here’s the mind-blowing science behind this generational bond

“She came from an egg that has lived in my body since I was in my own mother’s womb. She has been a part of me my entire life, and love was the key to bringing her into the world.”

This powerful quote, shared by @femenergybrooke on Instagram, beautifully captures the wonder of maternal connection that spans generations. And it’s not just a poetic idea—science backs it up.

TikTok user @debodali went viral by breaking down this very concept. In her video, she shares what she calls “earth-shattering information” about the female reproductive system: “As women, we’re born with all of our eggs. So your mom didn’t make your eggs, your grandmother did, because your mom was born with her eggs. The egg that made you was created by your grandmother.”

However, a more accurate description is that your mother created her eggs while she was still growing inside your grandmother. This extraordinary biological truth, known as “ovarian intergenerational continuity,” underscores the profound and physical links we share with the women who came before us.

The science behind the generational bond

The story begins in fetal development. Around seven weeks into gestation, female embryos start forming their lifetime supply of eggs. This process, called oogenesis, is the creation of an egg (also known as an ovum or oocyte). It begins when primordial germ cells migrate to the newly formed ovary in the developing fetus. When your grandmother was pregnant with your mother, three generations—your grandmother, your mother, and you—were physically connected in an extraordinary way.

According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), women are born with 1 to 2 million eggs, but only a fraction—roughly 400 to 500—will mature and be released during ovulation. The rest remain dormant, carrying the potential to shape future generations. 

This rare biological process doesn’t just connect us to our ancestors—it illustrates the complex web of continuity that sustains life. The egg that became you was formed in your grandmother’s womb, passed through your mother, and eventually became part of you. It’s a reminder that our lives are deeply intertwined with the choices and circumstances of those who came before us.

For moms who conceived through IVF or other assisted reproductive technologies, the journey to motherhood may have followed a different path, but the bond is equally profound. The egg that became your child may have been carefully nurtured outside the body, a testament to both scientific progress and the determination to build a family. Every child, no matter how they were conceived, carries a unique story of connection and care.

Related: What is the IVF process really like? A fertility doctor explains

Epigenetics: How generations shape your child

The connection between generations goes beyond biology. Through epigenetics, your grandmother’s experiences—her diet, environment, stress levels, and even her emotional state—may have shaped your mother and, in turn, you.

Epigenetics is the study of how environmental factors can influence gene expression without changing DNA itself. A 2019 study published in Nature Communications revealed that prenatal environments can affect multiple generations, making your grandmother’s health and well-being a foundational part of your story.

Related:  Your preconception health is just as important as your prenatal health

This understanding shifts how we view maternal health and care. Your grandmother’s well-being wasn’t isolated to her own life—it had lasting effects on your mother’s health and, ultimately, your own. Recognizing this connection can offer a broader perspective on self-care, encouraging us to see it not just as an individual act but as part of a larger, intergenerational story.

A celebration of legacy

Life is a thread that weaves us together across generations, shaped by resilience, stories, and care. As mothers, we inherit these threads, adding our own strength and choices to the fabric that connects us to the past and shapes the future.

The next time you look at your child, think of the connections that made their life possible. They are part of a larger story—one shaped by the women who came before you and the legacy you are creating now.

Sources:

1. Ovarian intergenerational continuity. ScienceDirect. 2023. “Maternal genetic intergenerational and transgenerational effects on hormone synthesis in ovarian granulosa cells of offspring exposed to cadmium during pregnancy.”
2. Total number of eggs women are born with. American Society for Reproductive Medicine. 2014. “Female Age-Related Fertility Decline.”
3. Epigenetics. Scientific Reports. 2029. “Prenatal exposure to environmentally-Relevant contaminants perturbs Male Reproductive parameters Across Multiple Generations that are partially protected by folic Acid Supplementation.”