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Lying on one’s back during childbirth is not the most natural position for a woman’s body. However, this position is considered completely normal. But why was it among the recommended medical practices? Some claim that it is because medical staff have the best access to the birth canal. There is certainly truth in that, but this position is truly terrifying.
Position during childbirth
The voices of mothers and midwives are increasingly heard outside professional circles, pointing to the absurdity of the general positioning of women during birth.
In the supine position women experience unbearable pressure on the lower back and coccyx, contractions slow down and the woman gives birth against natural gravity.
For centuries, when women mostly gave birth alone, they instinctively chose the on-all-fours position or kneeling, which naturally helped them bring the child into the world more easily.
So why do we complicate it?
One ruler is to blame. Louis XIV, who was the father of 22 children. He said that he was an expert on childbirth because he had so many children.
Let’s briefly return to the 17th century. King Louis XIV (1638-1715) had a high opinion of himself. He advocated strong absolutism, and therefore had no qualms about issuing a decree on the only permitted method at the birth of a child.
Satisfaction at the sight of a suffering woman
The reason was purely prosaic. According to a study, he experienced perverse pleasure at the sight of his wife or mistress suffering, lying on her back as they attempted to give birth to another royal child.
Louis XIV went so far that this method became the only maternal practice and insisted that the tasks „childbirth“ be carried out exclusively by men. This method has survived to this day. And who knows, maybe we’ll finally see a change and women will be able to give birth in more natural positions than under Louis.
However, experts must agree on that
