Laboring women need to be able to find comfortable positions. The Osborne Kneeling Chair has been designed to allow for pelvic mobility during labor and birth. Once upon a time, an ape which spent its time clambering around in trees, and whose babies were born through a straight, uncomplicated birth canal, embarked on the long journey to humanity.
Walking on two legs involved remodeling the pelvis. The legs straighten and the pelvis becomes shorter. The spine intrudes into the pelvis. The sacrum curves inwards. The hips flare out. Women ended up having to push a large-headed baby through a contorted birth canal. Babies need to fit themselves snugly into the pelvis at the top and rotate their way round the bend.
Once the head is born the baby must turn sideways to allow the shoulders through. Walking upright meant vastly increasing the strength of the pelvic floor muscles to stop everything falling out - including the baby. During birth the pelvic floor muscles move and stretch to let the baby out.
The uterus is essentially a balloon shaped elastic bag. The stiff cervix is the knot of the balloon. Toward the end of pregnancy and in early labor the uterus prepares for birth. Its mechanical properties change allowing it to open at the cervix as the baby's head exerts pressure, eventually becoming continuous with the birth canal. It contracts inwards in all directions and the baby moves further down.
On her back, the woman must push her baby out uphill. The Osborn Kneeling Chair is designed to support women in labor and birth. It is sturdy in both high and low orientations. It is easy to change from one position to the other the cushions are easily removed for cleaning.
In early labour many women prefer to stand. Leaning forwards gives freedom to the mother, her baby and her uterus - allowing them all to move and works together. The woman can shift her weight from side to side, moving instinctively to alleviate pain. Many midwives like women to give birth in an all-fours position. This position is ideal for breech births. It can also serve as a birth chair.
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