NOTE: - 59 -

178. Childbirth is according to the natural course if the signs of the child’s coming into the world appear after nine full months, counting from the day of conception. These signs are the following: the belly begins slowly to sink down; the lower part of the belly becomes full; she desires frequently to pass water and to void her bowels, but [the urge] deceiveth; before the delivery, pains begin to appear, which commence from the back and spread unto the front part of the belly; in the evening hours and at night the pain for the most part abateth; from the genital organ of some [women] there floweth a little water, yet not so much as at the time of delivery. 179. If the pregnant woman feeleth that the signs of delivery have drawn nigh, she must not go far from her house, lest the pains seize her in an unseemly place; she must know that sometimes these signs appear two weeks beforehand. When the laboring woman feeleth the said signs, she must desist from toil and working, and await her delivery with patience. She ought not to cry out, or by exerting herself untimely to exhaust her strength, but [rather] preserve her strength for the time of delivery. When the said signs appear and then pass away again, the pregnant woman may once more occupy herself with light matters. 180. As we have mentioned above, childbirth according to the natural course cometh after being pregnant for nine full months; prior to the delivery, the pain of childbirth seizeth [the woman], and

CHAPTER XX. On Generation [and Childbirth].

178. Childbirth proceeds according to the natural order if the signs of the child’s coming into the world appear after nine full months, reckoning from the day of conception. These signs are the following: the belly begins gradually to sink down, the lower part of the belly becomes full, [and] she desires frequently to pass water and to move her bowels, but is deceived [by false urges]. Prior to giving birth, a pain appears—commencing in the lower back and spreading to the front part of the belly. In the evening hours and at night the pain for the most part eases. From the private parts of some [women] a small amount of water flows, only not so much as during the delivery itself. 179. If the pregnant woman feels that the signs of delivery have drawn near, she must not wander far from her home, lest the pain seize her in an unsuitable place; she ought to know that sometimes these signs appear two weeks beforehand. When the parturient woman perceives the aforesaid signs, she must refrain from heavy labor and work, and await her delivery with patience. She ought not to cry out, or by straining herself prematurely exhaust her strength, but [rather] preserve her vigor for the time of delivery. When the aforesaid signs appear and then pass away again, the pregnant woman may once more occupy herself with light matters. 180. As we mentioned above, childbirth according to the natural order arrives after being pregnant for nine full months. Prior to delivery, the pain of childbirth takes hold, and

NOTE: *) Eminent physicians advise that until the child’s head appears, one [ought not] to strain.