Space pregnancy leads to hard labor: Analyzing the challenges and solutions

Elnaz Ghaffari *

Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
 
Review
International Journal of Science and Research Archive, 2024, 13(02), 1620–1623.
Article DOI: 10.30574/ijsra.2024.13.2.2298
Publication history: 
Received on 15 October 2024; revised on 24 November 2024; accepted on 26 November 2024
 
Abstract: 
Human childbirth in space presents unique challenges due to the low gravity environment, which complicates labor and delivery. This article explores the physiological and environmental factors affecting childbirth in space and proposes solutions to mitigate these challenges. Key challenges include the difficulty of pushing the fetus out due to microgravity, increased risk of bone fractures from decreased bone density, and the unknown effects of high gravitational forces during ascent on pregnant individuals. The importance of the mother's position during childbirth is emphasized, with the squatting position deemed most suitable. Additionally, considerations for fetal gender, pregnancy timing, and radiation exposure are discussed. Insights from animal research on space births provide valuable perspectives, highlighting the adaptability of life in space. The article concludes that, with careful planning and preparation, the obstacles of space childbirth can be overcome, paving the way for successful human reproduction beyond Earth.
 
Keywords: 
Space; Childbirth; Multi-planet; Pioneering; Midwifery; Ethics
 
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Copyright © 2024 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Liscense 4.0