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THE Infant’s Situation, in the first and middle Months, is various; but, in the latter, it is commonly observ’d to be of an oval Figure: Sitting, with the Head hanging down, and the Chin upon the Breast; the Neck bending forwards, the Back is round; embracing the Knees, which are drawn up towards the Cheeks with its Arms; the Hands commonly hanging down, seem to embrace the Feet; the Heels cling close to the Buttocks; and while the Head is uppermost, the Face is towards the Mother’s Belly.

BUT about the Time of Birth; the Head, which was always before Lighter, becomes considerably Heavier than any other Part. And its ponderous Bulk bearing much smaller Proportion to its Substance than it did before, must needs (consequently) tumble Heels over Head, in the Waters of the Membranes; and the Head falling downwards, the Feet get uppermost, and the Face is turn’d towards the Mother’s Back.

BUT because this is a painful and irksome Posture, however favourable for its Exit; the Motions it makes for its Relief, occasion frequent Pains to the Mother, which cause a Contraction of the WOMB, for the Expulsion of the Infant.