Dolphin and Pregnancy question

[Amanda N]

Okay, so I know that Dolphins can detect pregnancy.  How early can they detect it?  

Also, going *between* can trigger an abortion.  Thing is, does this always happen?  I mean, wouldn't dragonriders go *between*  a lot before  a pregnancy is detected?   If an abortion were to always happen, wouldn't that mean no dragonriders would be able to sustain a pregnancy because they would go *between* before realising about the pregnancy?

I hope I'm making sense.  I'm still on hydrocodone. :}

[Eimi]

As for the /between/ question, no they wouldn't lose the baby EVERY time they go /between/.  The more they go /between/ however, and the longer they stay /between/ the risk of abortion increases.  While there are probably cases of a greenrider losing a fetus even before they are aware they are pregnant (two weeks along or so, and they might not even be aware that is what is happening), that would not happen in all cases.  I'd say many stay viable until the rider is aware that their monthly cycle seems to be late, and they can make the choice to go /between/ purposefully in an attempt to lose it, or ask to be transfered to the Weyrwoman's Wing where they will not be asked to travel /between/ as frequently.  Also its not dangerous to the fetus during every stage of the pregnancy.  I believe (and someone can correct me if I'm wrong) but going /between/ during months 4 and 5r of the pregnancy does not endanger the fetus, and going between in month 6 won't damage the baby directly, but could induce early labor.

As for the dolphin question, I would say they could detect the baby while it is still very small, probably by one or two weeks after the woman becomes aware that her period is late (3-4 weeks development).  If they do not detect the fetus directly, they can probably detect other internal changes within the woman that would be a tell-tale sign.

[Amanda N]

Cool, thanks for the info!

[Clancey]

here is the FAQ on between and pregnancies

http://www.triadweyrs.org/faq.php?fq_id=343

[Amanda N]

bah!  I saw the title and didn't think it would have anything to do with them going *between*.  I did search the faq first, I just didn't click on it because of the title. :}