e portions of it remaining on the body at the time of birth. The
foetus is fully developed by the end of the ninth month. Then its
average weight is six or seven pounds and the length twenty inches.

If we could look into the womb just before the time of labor we would
find the foetus attached by the cord to the placenta and floating in a
sac of water. This sac is formed partly of the placenta and partly of
the membrane; the side of the placenta opposite to the child being
attached to the womb. Just before labor the child takes a position with
its head downward, its lower limbs flexed and its arms folded upon its
breast. This allows it to come in the usual way, head first. But
sometimes, for various reasons, it does not take this position and some
part other than the head, for instance, the feet, may be born first.

Labor pains are caused by the contraction of the muscles of the womb in
an effort to expel the foetus. The muscles, contracting, push the
foetus downward to the mouth of the womb but push ahead of it a
portion of the membrane enclosing some of the water. This is called the
"bag of waters." As it presses against the mouth of the womb it causes
it to dilate so as to allow the foetus to pass through into the
vagina. The foetus, preceded by the bag of waters, then descends
through the vagina or birth canal until it comes to the external opening
of the vagina. This it must dilate before it can pass through it. The
bag of waters should rupture normally while it is being pushed through
the external opening. Sometimes the bag does not rupture directly in
front of the descending head but further up along the side. Then a
portion of the membrane may be over the face of the child when it is
born. This is what is called being "born with a veil" or "born with a
caul."

The bag of waters helps dilate the parts much easier than the foetus
could do it alone. When the bag breaks the water lubricates the parts so
as to make the passage of the child easier. When it breaks, as it
sometimes does, at the beginning of labor we have what is termed a "dry
labor." This usually is much slower than it would be otherwise. The
majority of the cases of labor extend over a period of from twelve to
twenty-four hours.

Sometimes the external opening of the vagina does not dilate enough to
allow the passage of the child. As the head presses hard against the
perineum it tears it. This tear should be repaired immediately after
completion of