By Andy Merrett
Feb 4, 2009
New stainless steel mirror allows women to choose more natural position during childbirth
In films and TV documentaries women are often shown giving birth lying on their backs, but apparently (I have to say apparently as, being male, I’ll never fully “get” it) this isn’t the most natural or comfortable position for childbirth.
The trouble is, adopting other positions can make it difficult for the midwife to see the baby, which is why women are encouraged to lie on their backs.
Physiologically, in most cases, this is the worse position to give birth as it can increase pain, length of labour and
trauma.
Use a mirror? Well, yes, except glass ones can break and plastic ones can be damaged during heat treatment and are more difficult to sterilise.
That’s why Virginia Howes, an independent midwife from Ashford in Kent, has developed a stainless steel mirror (completely without glass) that is highly polished, smooth, and can be sterilised. It is angled so there’s a good view of the baby for both midwife and mother regardless of what natural position is chosen.
Speaking about her development, Virginia said, “I am not an entrepreneur, nor will it make me a lot of money; it is just good midwifery sense and hopefully will help midwives encourage women off the bed, off their backs and bottoms and into positions conducive to a healthy more rewarding birth.”
Available now to purchase from www.kentmidwiferypractice.co.uk
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I have never heard of that but am surprise to hear that there is a better position to give birth. Our midwives should learn this if it is less painful. Thank you.