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Who Was the First Pregnant Woman in Space?

Published in Space Pregnancy 2 mins read

Anna Lee Fisher was not the first pregnant woman in space, but she was the first woman to become pregnant after a spaceflight. While in space, she was not pregnant. The question is ambiguous as it doesn't specify whether the pregnancy occurred before, during, or after the spaceflight.

Clarifying the Question

To accurately answer this, we need to break down the question into two parts:

  1. Who was the first woman to be pregnant while in space? There is no documented case of a woman being pregnant while in space.

  2. Who was the first woman astronaut to become pregnant after a spaceflight? This is where Anna Lee Fisher's story becomes relevant.

Anna Lee Fisher: The First Astronaut Mother

Anna Lee Fisher holds the distinction of being the first American woman to give birth after a spaceflight. She became pregnant and gave birth to her son after she returned from her mission aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery in 1984. This article from the Washington Post details her experiences. It is important to note that other sources state she was the first mother in space.

Valentina Tereshkova: First Woman in Space

While not relevant to the question of pregnancy in space, it's crucial to mention Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman to ever travel to space. She flew aboard Vostok 6 in 1963. However, there is no evidence suggesting she was pregnant during her mission. This StackExchange discussion addresses this misconception.

Conclusion

There's currently no record of a woman being pregnant during a spaceflight. Anna Lee Fisher is recognized as the first woman astronaut to become pregnant and give birth after a space mission.

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