Markandeyapurana 11.12

11.12

krāmanti bhuktapītāni strīṇāṃ garbhodare yathā /
tairāpyāyitadeho 'sau janturvṛddhimupaiti vai //

“In this way gradually grows the human being, when contained in a woman’s womb: in the womb of other creatures, the position of the fœtus corresponds to its form. The gastric fluid[2] renders it firm. It lives on the food and drink taken by its mother. Thus the gestation of a living creature is meritorious, and constitutes a means of obtaining merit. Also the cord, which is called Āpyāyanī, is fixed in its navel, and it becomes fixed in the belly of women. As women’s food and drink penetrate into their womb, the fœtus increases in size, its body being nourished thereby.