GB2169500A - Obstetrical chairs - Google Patents

Abstract

An obstetrical chair having a two- part seat, one part 20 being fixed and the other movable, the movable part 21 being mounted on the fixed part to move between a first position in which it contributes to the seat surface and a second position in which it is out of co- operation with the fixed seat portion and allows access to the perineum area of a patient using the chair. The chair may be provided with a reclinable back rest 3 and an adjustable frame (36, fig. 2) for the patient to grip. The foot supports 26 may be removed and replaced by an extension to the chair to form a bed. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in obstetrical chairs This invention relates to improvements in obstetrical chairs.

The use of obstetrical chairs, or birthing stools, for childbirth is increasing as more women, and midwives, become aware of the advantages gained by giving birth in the sitting position, rather than in the lithotomy position.

At present, most birthstools, have a 'cut-out' in the seat portion of the stool. This allows the baby to descend unimpeded. However, the presence of the 'cut-out' results'in the perineum, which is subject to continuous pressure by the foetal head during the latter stages of labour, being unsupported. Consequently, there is often oedema of this area, which, in turn, causes unwanted bleeding.

According to the present invention there is provided an obstetrical chair having a seat which has a fixed portion and a movable portion, the movable portion being mounted on the fixed portion and moveable between a support position in which the movable portion in use supports the perineum area of a patient, and an out-of-use position allowing access in use to the perineum area of a patient.

Preferably, the chair is provided with removable supports for a patient's feet.

Preferably also, the chair has a back support which is hingedly attached to the seat allowing the patient in the chair to recline to a horizontal position.

Preferably also, the foot supports can be removed from the chair and replaced by an extension to the chair, for example in order to form a bed.

Preferably also, a movable framework which the patient may grip is provided on the chair.

Preferably also, a hand rail is provided on a front portion of the chair, allowing a patient to support herself in a crouching position.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of an obstetrical chair, made in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 is a side perspective view of the chair of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a front view of the base support of the chair of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a side view of the chair of Fig. 1, with a support frame; and Fig. 5 is a front view of the support frame of Fig.

4.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, an obstetrical chair 1 comprises a seat 2, a back-support 3 and a mounting framework 4.

The seat 2 has a main support pad 20 and a movable support pad 21. The main pad 20 has a cut-out 22 into which the movable pad 21 fits. The movable pad 21 is mounted on a hinge 23 and can be released from its support position, in the cut-out 22, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and swung down to an access position as showri in Fig. 3.

Foot-supports 26 are provided on the front edge of the main support pad 20. The foot-supports 26 are mounted on lengths of square section tubing 27 which fit into brackets 28 provided on the main support pad 20.

Removable retaining frame 29 with a padded covering are provided at each side of the main support pad 20.

The back-support 3 supports a rectangular pad 30. Two cushions 31, 32 are provided at the bottom of the pa 30 to help hold the patient in the correct position. Also, cushions 33, 34 may be provided for the head and the back of the patient. The backsupport 3 is attached by hinges 35 to the seat 2 allowing the inclination of the back-support 3 to be altered.

To give patients something to grip with their hands, a trapeze 36 of padded tubing is fitted to the chair 1. The trapeze 36 is attached by hinges 37 to the chair 1 and can be moved to suit the patients' requirements.

Lengths of square section tubing 38 provided on the trapeze 36 pass through brackets 39 on the top edge 40 of the back-support 3. The trapeze 36 is secured in the desired position by tightening screws 41 in the brackets 39, which act against the tubing 38. Screws 42 which can be tightened are also provided on the hinges 37 joining the backsupport 3 to the main support 2.

Referring to Figs. 4 and 5 a handrail 50 in the form of a pulpit can be fitted to the front of the chair 1 to allow patients to crouch with support, in front of the chair 1.

In use, a woman in labour sits in the chair 1, the foot supports 26 being positioned to suit the patient. The movable pad 21 is initially in the support position adjacent the main support pad 20.

As the labour progresses from stage one, where the cervix is dilating, up to stage two, which is the delivery stage, the foetal head begins to exert pressure on the perineum, thus reducing the oedema caused by the pressure exerted by the foetal head and helping to accelerate the birth due to the gravitationai effect of the foetus in its descent.

From time to time during this stage the movable pad 21 may release and swing to the access position to allow doctors or midwives access to the patient.

At stage three in the labour when the placenta becomes detached from the uterus, the movable pad 21 is swung out of the way to allow the head to pass through the cut-out 22.

If the patient is given a general anaesthetic or wishes to lie down the back-support 3 can be reciined and the foot supports 35 removed and replaced by an extension to the chair to give a completely flat surface. The chair 1 will also tip so that the patient is iying at an angie of about 10 to the horizontal. This is called the Trendelberg position and is important to prevent inhalation of vomit if a general anaesthetic is being used.

The trapeze 36 gives patients something to grip, either above their head or at their sides. The trapeze 36 can be positioned adjacent to the back-support if it isnot required.

The handrail 60 at the front of the chair 1 allows patients to move to a crouching position, which they may find more comfortable than sitting, during some stages of the labour.

Thus the invention provides supportforthe patient and allows access for doctors and midwives as it is required.

Modifications and improvements may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (11)

1. An obstetrical chair having a seat which has a fixed portion and a movable portion, the movable portion being mounted on the fixed portion and movable between a first position in which the movable portion in use supports the perineum area of a patient and a second position allowing access in use to the perineum area of a patient.

2. A chair according to Claim 1, wherein the movable portion is hinged to the fixed portion.

3. A chair according to Claim 1 or 2, having support members for a patient's feet.

4. A chair according to Claim 3, wherein the support members are removable.

5. A chair according to Claim 4, wherein an extension member forthe seat is interchangeable with the support members, the extension member co-operating with the seat to provide a bed for a patient.

6. A chair according to any one of the preceding Claims, having a back support pivotally attached to the seat.

7. A chair according to any one of the preceding Claims, wherein a movable framework is provided at the periphery of the seat.

8. A chair according to Claim 7, wherein the framework is generally U-shaped and extends around three sides of the seat the fraemwork being pivotally mounted at the free ends of the U.

9. A chair according to any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the movable portion is in the form of a cut-out from the seat, the movable portion and the fixed portion they in first position co-operating to provide a generally rectangular seat surface.

10. A chair according to any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the movable portion moves downwardly of the fixed portion from its first position to its second position.

11. An obstetrical chair substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.