ALTHOUGHtheLigamentsare fixed to theWOMBon each side, under theTubes, near theBottom, on purpose to keep it duly in theMiddle, from falling to eitherSide; yet we may easily perceive,First, That thePregnant WOMB, as it dilates and extends itself most (in theBottom) above theLigaments, so it risesHighestand becomesHeaviestin that Part; by which means it cannot always be contained in thenarrow Compassof thePelvis, and theLargertheINFANTis, theHighertheWOMBrises (above theLigaments) in theBelly. Insomuch that when theCavityof thePelvisis not sufficient to contain a largeWOMB, fill’d withOneormorewell-grownINFANTS, together with theSecundinesandHumours, it must (of necessity) ascend into theCavityof theBelly; as is evident fromChap. 10.
SECONDLY, TheWOMBbeing in Form of aPear, much largerabovethanbelowtheLigaments, and thatsuperiour Bulkbeing only sustain’d at thelower Partby subtileLigamentsapt to extend, as well as supported near theOrificeby theBladderandRectum, which are soft, loose, andextensive Parts: Hence, I say, wemay easily conceive, that asTheseare not sufficient to hinder a largeWombfrom ascending above the Borders of thePelvisinto theCavityof theBelly; so neither aretheyable to keep it from leaning or incliningthisorthat way, by reason of itsWeightin theBottom, which is always the farther distant from theLigaments, the more it isextended: And theextendedWombbeing not of the sameFirmnessandSoliditywithThatin anatural State, is the more apt and ready to moveaside, either on the Right or the Left Hand.
NOWthis variousMotionof theWomb, in short, will appear more manifestlyProbable, when we consider how variouslyWomenwithChildmove theirBodies, bending them every way forRelief, when oppress’d withPain; bothsittingandlyingin differentPostures: All which may easily give theWombaTendencythis or that way, sliding eitherForwardsorBackwards, to the right or the leftSideof the Person.