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"Science fiction has gotten more accurate as we've gotten closer to the present, because science fiction stories have not only attracted, but also generated current scientists."
- Larry Niven

Artificial Gravity-Assisted Childbirth  
  Using an artificial gravity field to assist (and accelerate) the process of childbirth.  

My stool was bolted to the deck, I had added a seat belt. As I strapped myself down, I reminded them that we had a rough ride coming-and this we had not been able to practice; it would have risked miscarriage. "Lock your fingers, Joe, but let her breathe. Comfortable, Llita?" "Uh-" she said breathlessly. "I-I'm starting another one!" "Bear down, dear!" I made sure my left foot was positioned for the gravistat control and watched her belly. Big one! As it peaked, I switched from one-quarter gravity up to two gravities almost in one motion-and Llita let out a yip and the baby squirted like a watermelon seed right into my hands. I dragged my foot back to allow the gravistat to put us back on low gee even as I made a nearly instantaoeous inspection of the brat. --- But more interesting is the Senior's allegation that he used a pseudogravity field in that year to facilitate childbirth. Was he the first tocologist to use this (now standard) method? Nowhere does he assert this, and the technique is usually associated with Dr. Virginius Briggs of Secundus Howard Clinic and a much later date.
Technovelgy from Time Enough For Love, by Robert Heinlein.
Published by Putnam in 1973
Additional resources -

Thanks to Winchell Chung for submitting this item.

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Additional resources:
  More Ideas and Technology from Time Enough For Love
  More Ideas and Technology by Robert Heinlein
  Tech news articles related to Time Enough For Love
  Tech news articles related to works by Robert Heinlein

Artificial Gravity-Assisted Childbirth-related news articles:
  - Labor-Saving Centrifuge

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