Obstetrics / Gynecology : Delivering Babies and Women's Health
Object ID Number:
EH101185
Object Name:
Birthing Stool
Date of Manufacture:
/ /
Manufactured from:
1800
Manufactured to:
1880
Description / History:
19th century wooden birthing stool. Before it became common practice for women to give birth in the hospital, which began in the 20th century, women gave birth at home, usually tended to by a midwife. Women found that labor and birth progressed more quickly if the mother was sitting upright, rather than laying down in a bed.
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In this style of birthing chair, made popular in 19th century France, the mother sat or squatted on the stool and grasped the side handles during contractions.
Dimensions:
H–27.5 W–19 D–16.5 inches
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