Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c7.137

c7.137

When Jīva (the soul) has entered the womb for rebirth it remains in fluid form during the first month. During the second month it solidifies; in the third month the organs begin to develop, in the fourth month skin, flesh and bones appear, in the fifth month hairs appear, in the sixth month mind is produced, in the seventh month the child will begin to feel pain. The body is covered by a skin (Garbhacarma) and both hands are held above the head in saluting position. If the child is a female it lies in the left side of the mother's womb, if a male on the right and if 'neutral' in the middle of it. From the seventh month the child begins to experience the taste of foods consumed by the mother. During the eighth and ninth month there would be great emotional excitements and upsurges. If the mother suffered from chronic diseases the child also would inherit it. When pregnancy is matured thus, certain winds lead the child down the womb and it gets out through the female organ.