[net.space] Pregnancy and birth in microgravity

@S1-A.ARPA,@MIT-MC.ARPA:SWB%CORNELLA.BITNET@WISCVM.ARPA (07/23/85)

From: Scott Brim  <swb%cornella.BITNET@WISCVM.ARPA>

Birth itself will not be a problem.  Babies are squeezed out, they
don't fall out, although gravity can be used as a handy tool.  The
problem will be getting the baby into position for birth.  The "drop"
that takes place (usually days) before labor begins sets up the baby
for the birth.  Long before that, I'm sure gravity is involved in
making sure most babies are oriented head downward and facing backward,
the safest and easiest position.  There are exercises prescribed to
mothers whose babies are in "breach" position, but I'm pretty sure the
traditional ones also depend on gravity for their (limited)
effectiveness.  Hmmm.  I can see we have a lot of experimentation ahead.