The Female Body

The benefits of development of a fetus within a womb, or uterus, include a relatively safe environment in a secure space, a constant temperature, and assured food supply and nutritional supplements. As indicated in the following, these benefits enjoyed by mammals greatly enhance the likelihood that an intelligent being will be born who will be able to successfully negotiate and control his or her environment as they mature into adulthood.

As Angier points out, many species on earth either grow their fetuses in hard-shelled eggs that are buried in nests, like birds, reptiles or insects, or in pouches like kangaroos and opossums (44-46,100-101). While these are efficient ways for producing young, they do not offer the protection from the elements that an enclosed womb offers. ôThe uterus in its bony and ligamentous pelvic cage is incomparably secureö (Angier 101). This security offers protection from t

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only time in a childÆs life when all of its needs will be met completely and calls this ôthe only Eden it [the fetus] will ever knowö (101). However, Angier also points out that the ômore mothered the animal is, the more apt it is to dominate its environmentö (100). Therefore, the ômotheringö provided in the womb combined with additional time for maturation and nutrition provided for brain growth, creates a being that is more capable of reason, rational thinking, less dependent on instinct, and of being in more control of their environment as they mature into adulthood. With the added blessings and benefits of being an ôEutherian,ö however, are also some possible problems and drawbacks that not only hinder fetal growth, but can also be fatal to the fetus. For example, because the embryo, and later the fetus, is so dependent upon the motherÆs body to take care of it, any genetic abnormality, accident, or disease experienced by the mother may be easily transmitted to the fetus. A study published in 2002 found that such traits as high blood pressure can be found in fetuses as early as 24 weeks (Ross S-3). While historically birth weight has been an indicator of health, they are now finding that it is more complex than this.
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