A number of years ago, I wrote an article on "Prenatal Testing
in the Bible" in which I looked at the story of Rebecca and her
pregnancy and rearing of the twins, Jacob and Esau, as a paradigm for
thinking
about the ethical issues in prenatal testing. There is one part of
the story which is interesting in light of this dsicussion:

For those who are interested, here's a copy of the relevant
passage of the article.
Genesis: 25:24-26.
(24) And when her days to deliver were filled and behold twins
were in her womb. (25) The first came out red all over, like a
hairy garment, and they called him Esau. (26) And afterward his
brother came out and his hand held onto the heel of Esau and
they called him Jacob and Isaac was 60 years old when she bore
them.

This passage seems to have much extraneous detail and some details
of particular interest to birth professionals.  Why does the text say
"And when her days to deliver were filled"?  Even today, women carrying
twins often have premature labor because it is difficult for the uterus
to support two babies, two sacks, and two placentas.  In spite of her
difficult pregnancy, Rebecca carried her twins to term.  This is
especially
important because "the first came out red all over, like a hairy
garment."
Hair all over a baby is often a sign of prematurity - this protective
hair
normally falls off during the last few weeks of pregnancy.
Jacob came out "and his hand held onto his brother's heel."  Hand first
is an unusual and difficult birth position since the head and hand must
fit
through the birth canal at the same time.  Rebecca's pregnancy and birth
were both difficult but healthy.

In Jewish tradition, the Hebrew Bible has no extraneous text; in the last
two verses we have been told twice that Rebecca carried twins.  Why is
it repeated here again that she had twins?  This teaches us that no
matter
how accurate the prenatal test or the laboratory interpreting the test
(what could be more accurate than God's word!) no diagnosis is sure until
the birth itself.

Happy holidays to all (whatever you are celebrating)
  Naomi Bar-Yam

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