“But isn’t the baby (still in her uterus) at the exact same temperature (37 °C) as all of the surrounding flesh, inner organs, etc. of the mother?
Then how could there be any contrast?”
Don’t know if this is true but maybe this image give credence to an old wives tale. Was told a baby in the womb steals heat from the mom to keep warm. Moms usually fell more “chilly” when pregnant, while the baby is snug and warm inside them.
Perhaps there is a slight drop in her body temp and baby’s is normal or higher.
Baby has higher metabolic rate.