The Female Physician / Containing all the diseases incident to that sex, in virgins, wives, and widows; together with their causes and symptoms, their degrees of danger, and respective methods of prevention and cure: to which is added, the whole art of new improv'd midwifery; comprehending the necessary qualifications of a midwife, and particular directions for laying women, in all cases of difficult and preternatural births; together with the diet and regimen of both the mother and child.

CHAP. XII.
Of the various Local Motion of the WOMB.

ALTHOUGH the Ligaments are fixed to the WOMB on each side, under the Tubes, near the Bottom, on purpose to keep it duly in the Middle, from falling to either Side; yet we may easily perceive, First, That the Pregnant WOMB, as it dilates and extends itself most (in the Bottom) above the Ligaments, so it rises Highest and becomes Heaviest in that Part; by which means it cannot always be contained in the narrow Compass of the Pelvis, and the Larger the INFANT is, the Higher the WOMB rises (above the Ligaments) in the Belly. Insomuch that when the Cavity of the Pelvis is not sufficient to contain a large WOMB, fill’d with One or more well-grown INFANTS, together with the Secundines and Humours, it must (of necessity) ascend into the Cavity of the Belly; as is evident from Chap. 10.

SECONDLY, The WOMB being in Form of a Pear, much larger above than below the Ligaments, and that superiour Bulk being only sustain’d at the lower Part by subtile Ligaments apt to extend, as well as supported near the Orifice by the Bladder and Rectum, which are soft, loose, and extensive Parts: Hence, I say, we may easily conceive, that as These are not sufficient to hinder a large Womb from ascending above the Borders of the Pelvis into the Cavity of the Belly; so neither are they able to keep it from leaning or inclining this or that way, by reason of its Weight in the Bottom, which is always the farther distant from the Ligaments, the more it is extended: And the extended Womb being not of the same Firmness and Solidity with That in a natural State, is the more apt and ready to move aside, either on the Right or the Left Hand.

NOW this various Motion of the Womb, in short, will appear more manifestly Probable, when we consider how variously Women with Child move their Bodies, bending them every way for Relief, when oppress’d with Pain; both sitting and lying in different Postures: All which may easily give the Womb a Tendency this or that way, sliding either Forwards or Backwards, to the right or the left Side of the Person.