Management of labor and delivery in space

Abstract

In the zero-gravity environment of space, astronauts experience significant physiological and biochemical changes. Upon returning to Earth, they undergo another transformation and must participate in rehabilitation to readapt to Earth's gravity. Notably, female astronauts of the European Space Agency and NASA are currently prohibited from becoming pregnant during their missions. However, there is no such prohibition for pregnancy during commercial space missions. for a mother-astronaut, the physiological changes are multi-staged and complex. These changes encompass various phases: during pregnancy, throughout the active phase of labor, while being in space, and finally, upon returning to Earth. Comparing the physiological changes a woman undergoes during pregnancy with those experienced due to the absence of gravity provides valuable insights.