[Quirky]

You have got to check out this 1965 patent.

 

[Mary-Beth]

This is funny. But is it a joke?
I like the part where it basically says modern, industrialized women don't have the physical strength to push a baby out. What an underestimate of the abilities and strength of women!

 

[crazy_eights]

I don't know if it's a joke, but as for pushing the baby out - keep in mind in 1965 moms were usually given twilight sleep for labor and put under general for the delivery. Forceps were routine on all babies. SCARY, eh?

 

[Quirky]

Frighteningly enough, I think it's an honest-to-goodness patent. I got it off the Ig Nobel prizes page (see my link in TAO). No information on whether it was ever tested.....not that I think it would do anything other than make a woman in labor quite nauseated and cranky.

 

[pamamidwife]

hey, my dh and I joked about this - we planned on using the merry-go-round at our local park. You know, I lie down, spin me fast and have various people around with catchers mitts.

LOL!

 

[Spark]

I loved Figure 4 that showed the net to catch the baby located just a few inches from the vaginal opening...er, uh, confinement crevice.

Any volunteers for testing it? Pamamidwife, you might want to develop that Merry-go-Round idea some more. They could name the technique after you. Pam-o-Birther?

 

[Peppamint]

oops, double post

:

 

[Peppamint]

OMG!

: You have GOT to be kidding me! <grabs crotch and runs away

)

My MIL had six children and knocked herself out with the ether everytime so she was unconscious during and after the births. This was 1952-1962. I know she had an episiotomy every time, but I don't think she knows if they used forceps or not.

:

BTW, with my 2nd baby I didn't even really have to push my body was a machine and really doin' it and yes, I'm a modern woman.