What Kind of Scenarios Can We Encounter if Giving Birth in Space Happens?

In recent years, space exploration has progressed more rapidly than ever before. Organizations like NASA and SpaceX are pushing the limits to better understand space and develop advanced space travel technologies. They are also investigating the potential for colonizing space as Earth's resources become increasingly depleted. While this may seem like science fiction, we are approaching a future where it could become a reality. However, a fundamental question remains: Is human biology suited for giving birth in space, and what challenges might a baby born in space face? Can we sustain our biological activities over long periods? What do we currently know about these issues?

Human biology has evolved according to the conditions on Earth. All basic biological functions, such as muscle development, bone formation, the circulatory system, and childbirth, rely on gravity to function properly. So, is it possible to give birth in space? What challenges might an individual born under space conditions face?

Birth at Space

To date, no births have occurred in space, and no pregnant women have been sent into space. Our current knowledge is limited to biological research conducted on astronauts, findings from experiments with animals such as rabbits and mice sent into space, and simulation experiments performed on Earth.

Naturally, as one might expect, there are two main challenges in space: gravity and radiation.

Studies on astronauts returning from space show that they lose 1-2 percent of bone mass each month and experience some muscle loss. Additionally, astronauts may face health issues like balance problems and visual disorders due to the altered fluid dynamics in their bodies. While these problems usually resolve upon returning to Earth, they can sometimes be permanent. These findings help us address questions about what life might be like in space. To mitigate such issues, astronauts follow a daily physical exercise routine.

Another significant problem is radiation. Earth is shielded from these harmful rays by its protective layers. Research has shown that exposure to high levels of radiation can alter our genetic code. Despite the most advanced technologies, we cannot effectively prevent radiation in space, at least for now, which poses a serious threat to the human body.

From experiments conducted on pregnant animals in space, it is known that even if birth occurs, there are physiological changes compared to those observed on Earth, and these changes vary depending on the animal species. Consider a scenario where a pregnant woman goes into space. First, how will the intense g-forces during launch affect both the baby and the mother? Without gravity during birth, the mother may struggle to use her muscles—how will she manage to deliver the baby? If the baby is born, how will its development be impacted by the lack of gravity on its muscle, bone, and circulatory systems? What effects will the loss of bone and muscle mass have on a newborn or an already weak baby? Another crucial factor is the immune system. Some bodily functions rely on cooperation with the microbiota, and without these microbes, immunological diseases can occur. We typically acquire necessary microbiota from the mother during pregnancy and birth, as well as from our environment afterward. What issues might arise if a child born in space is not exposed to most of these microbiota?

Space

Even astronauts have difficulty walking initially when they land on Earth due to the strong forces they encounter while descending. If a baby born in space returns to Earth and experiences gravity for the first time, what will happen to its body?

As you can see, many technical questions need to be answered.

The mother’s difficulty in using her muscles properly during childbirth is a factor that will make a normal delivery challenging. Additionally, the pelvis, which may have weakened due to loss of bone density, might not withstand the pressure during childbirth. While a cesarean section could be a solution, it has its own disadvantages. Under normal conditions, a baby's head is constrained by the length of the birth canal. If every generation is delivered by C-section, it is estimated that their heads may become larger over time. Therefore, future generations might see an increase in head size.

Professor Scott Solomon, an evolutionary biologist from Rice University, emphasizes that individuals born in space will likely have weaker bones and muscles, which could result in different skeletal shapes compared to ours. He also estimates that the body might develop different pigments to protect against radiation, potentially leading to darker skin colors. Additionally, without gravity, blood circulation will not function as it does on Earth. This could result in increased blood pressure in the upper body, causing swelling in the face and eyes.

Another factor to consider is that the experiments needed to address these problems involve significant ethical issues. Most countries prohibit embryo experimentation due to ethical concerns. The ethical implications of conducting space experiments on unborn or newborn babies remain a major question mark.

To summarize, the answer to this issue is complex, but if we are considering life in space, these are the most fundamental biological challenges we must overcome.

References

1)TEDx Talks. (2020, February 2). Evolutionary Biology on Mars | Scott Solomon | TEDxUniversityofHouston[Video].Youtube.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2jlWzoVPFc 2) SpaceTech Analytics. (201–10-19). The Future of Space Medicine - Dr. Scott Solomon [Video]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=477v1AD7TJw

3) Mortreux, M., & Rosa-Caldwell, M. E. (2020). Approaching Gravity as a Continuum Using the Rat Partial Weight-Bearing Model. Life (Basel, Switzerland), 10(10), 235. https://doi.org/10.3390/life10100235

4) DRAKE, N. A. D. I. A. (2018, December 10). Can humans have babies on Mars? It may be harder than you think. National Geographic. Retrieved March 4, 2022, from https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/can-humans-have-babies-on-mars-space-it-may-be-harder-than-you-think