Welcome to

Birth stools are probably one of the essentials of home birth specialized midwife. You may have seen some kind of urinal like low chairs in old pictures of traditional births, or commonly used in Africa still nowadays. These birthing chairs are called birth stools or birthing stools.   

Birth stools help the mum-to-be have rest between contractions when on a squat position. They are not aimed at being a permanent sit during the whole delivery. Whilst in a contraction, the patient should kneel to a squat position or grip the handles to heave her hips, rising into a semi-arch position. That will ensure the best physiological position for the baby when delivering with the help of one of these birthing stools.

They’re becoming harder and harder to find for those of us who don’t leave in the US, but on the other hand, they last a life time. Those I like most are oak made, and I’ve seen some wooden models that can be un-mounted for easier transportation (that’s a good idea!).

Like for the squat position, I feel that the use of birth tools needs to be approached during the whole pregnancy to ensure its best usage. Preparation is needed as it is for all physically demanding challenges.