The Course of Pregnancy

Hebrew

The rabbis taught: During the first three months, the embryo occupies the lowest dwelling chamber; during the middle [three months], it occupies the middle dwelling chamber; and during the last three months, it occupies the uppermost dwelling chamber. And when the time to emerge arrives, it turns over [in its dwelling place] and then emerges, and this is the cause of the woman’s pains [in labor].

This is according to what the rabbis taught [in a baraita]: The [birth] pains for a female [baby] exceed those for a male [baby].

And R. Eleazar said, “What is the scriptural [proof]?” When I was made in a secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth (Psalm 139:15). It does not say “when I was dwelling” but “when I was woven together.” What is the difference?

The [birth] pains for a female [baby] exceed those for a male [baby]. This one is according to the [male way of] intercourse and the other one is according to the [female way of] intercourse. [Namely,] the female turns her face [upward] but the male does not turn his face [upward].

Our rabbis taught: During the first three months [of pregnancy], intercourse is harmful for the woman and harmful for the embryo. During the middle [three months of pregnancy, intercourse] is harmful for the woman but pleasant for the embryo. During the last [three months of pregnancy, intercourse] is pleasant for the woman and pleasant for the embryo, because through that [i.e., the intercourse] the embryo is fair and strengthened.

Translated by Markham J. Geller and Lennart Lehmhaus.