WO2008100215A1

WO2008100215A1 - Labour furniture

Info

Publication number: WO2008100215A1
Application number: PCT/SE2008/050163
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ulrika Lorentzon
Original assignee: Cerotto Ab
Priority date: 2007-02-16
Filing date: 2008-02-12
Publication date: 2008-08-21
Also published as: EP2111206A4; EP2111206A1; SE530877C2; SE0700395L

Abstract

The present invention relates to delivery furniture (10) comprising a support (11, 12) for supporting a pregnant woman during labour. The delivery furniture (10) further comprises at least one movable means (16, 17) being biased in at least one direction and being provided with an abutment portion (18, 19), wherein the biased means (16, 17) is operable by a pregnant woman through the abutment portion (18, 19) to provide an increased movement of the woman and dynamic activation of her muscles.

Description

DELIVERY FURNITURE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to delivery furniture. Delivery furniture is used when pregnant women are delivered of a child and is an aid to childbirth.

PRIOR ART

A plurality of different types of delivery furniture is disclosed in the prior art, such as different types of delivery beds and delivery chairs. Such delivery beds or delivery chairs of prior art generally comprise a central portion and a backrest portion, so that a pregnant woman can bear against the central por- tion and be supported by the backrest portion. Usually some kind of leg support or footrest is included on which the woman can rest her legs or feet. Disclosed in the prior art is also different types of delivery chairs only comprising a seat, with or without an aperture, for the woman to sit on.

Delivery furniture is furniture arranged specifically for its purpose and implies that one or more features adapted specifically for said purpose are present. Thus the presence of one or more of these features is common for delivery furniture of prior art. For example, it is a requirement that the delivery furniture can be readily cleaned, e.g. able to be flushed. Additionally means for facilitating collection of body fluids such as amniotic fluid, blood, etc. is common. Further, an aperture or recess in the central portion leaving room for the baby is common. For example, delivery furniture is arranged with an adjustable backrest portion, so that the position can be adjusted between a lying and sitting position. Generally also the leg support or footrest is adjustable according to personal requirements, and is often also removable to in- crease the access possibilities for medical staff. Further, delivery furniture is generally provided with wheels to facilitate transportation thereof, fastening means for drip, folding side rails etc.

Delivery is strenuous to both the mother and the child. The mother is exposed to pain and many women experience stress and fear during labour. This results in an unfavourable tension in the muscles of the woman. Prior art delivery furniture contributes to the overcoming of the above-mentioned problem to a highly limited extent.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks and problems of prior art and more efficiently facilitate labour for the mother to be. The delivery furniture according to the invention activates the woman and her movement pattern is widened, wherein the stress is changed from static muscular work according to prior art delivery furniture to dynamic muscular work. In addition it becomes possible for the mother to use more muscles than normally used lying on her back with the legs in a leg support. This results in improved absorption of oxygen of both mother and child, wherein also the situation of the child is improved. Simultaneously the accumulation of lactic acid in the muscles of the mother is reduced and the mother is less in pain. The dynamic activation of the muscles also results in an improved psychological situation for the mother. The delivery furniture according to the invention simultaneously facilitates for the mother to take a position facilitating the expulsion stage. These positive effects also facilitate for medical staff, and the newborn child has a more alert mother to turn to. The present invention comprises a support for supporting a pregnant woman during labour, characterised in that the delivery furniture comprises at least one movable means being biased in at least one direction and being provided with an abutment portion, wherein the biased means is operable by a pregnant woman through the abutment portion to provide an increased movement of the woman and dynamic activation of her muscles. The movable and biased means which can be used by the pregnant woman through the abutment portion results in possibilities of dynamic activation of the muscles when the delivery furniture is used and its inherent conventional advan- tages is used during delivery. According to one embodiment of the invention the movable and biased means as above can be added to conventional delivery furniture, such as a conventional delivery bed or chair.

The support can comprise a central portion and a backrest portion, so that a pregnant woman can bear against the central portion and be supported by the backrest portion during delivery. Alternatively, the support is arranged as a seat portion without the backrest portion.

The biased means can be arranged to project in front of the backrest portion and if applicable substantially above the central portion, so that the woman has the biased means in front of her when sitting or being in a reclined position in the delivery furniture. The biased means is movable between a first position and a second position, such as between two end positions, so that the woman can pull or push the biased means between the first and second positions. The biased means can be arranged as one or more arms projecting from the central portion or in any other suitable way. For example, a first arm projects from one side of the delivery furniture, wherein a second arm projects from the opposite side thereof.

The delivery furniture can also comprise a footrest on which the woman can rest her feet or push or brace her feet against. Further, the abut- ment portion can be arranged as a handle, such as an elongated handle for both hands. Alternatively, each arm is provided with a handle.

The biased means can be biased in a direction against the footrest and thus in a direction away from the woman when she is in the delivery furniture with her back against the backrest portion, so that the pregnant woman can grip the handles, brace her feet against the footrest and pull the handles in a direction towards the backrest portion while bringing the biased arm and overcoming the resistance formed by the load in a way so that a rowing movement can be performed. Consequently, a movement is provided that is supposed to be particularly favourable to provide the above-mentioned ef- fects and to facilitate expulsion of the baby.

The biased means can be arranged in a conventional manner and can comprise a spring, such as a gas spring. Alternatively, the biased means comprises weights, pneumatic resistance, friction based resistance mechanisms or similar. For example, the biased means or the arms are resilient, so that they return to their original position together with the mother when the applied force from the mother ceases or is reduced.

The biased means can further be provided with a joint, so that it, for example, can be pivoted in over the central portion in front of the backrest portion. Hence, the biased means can be folded in front of the woman when needed and be pivoted away when it is not used so as not to be in the way. For example, each arm is provided with a joint arranged just above the bed or mattress, wherein the arms can be turned in front of the backrest portion while reducing the distance between the handles. Hence, the distance between the handles can be adjusted according to personal requirements while they can be turned away so as not to be an obstacle when not in use. Alternatively, the biased means or the arms can be removable from the support or, for example, the central portion, so that they can be removed when they are not required.

The delivery furniture according to the invention can further comprise a two part backrest portion, so that the backrest portion comprises an inner portion connected to and projecting from the central portion and an outer portion connected to and projecting from the inner portion, wherein the outer portion extends the inner portion and wherein an angle of the outer portion is adjustable. For example, the inner portion is connected to the central portion through a joint in a conventional way. In addition the outer portion is connected to the inner portion through one additional joint, so that the outer portion can be inclined backwards in relation to the inner portion. Consequently a possibility to stretch and relieve pressure on the spine is provided. In addition the outer portion of the backrest portion can be provided with a resilient resistance to provide dynamic activation of the back muscles. The range of movement of the outer portion of the backrest portion can be about 15°.

According to one alternative embodiment of the invention the abutment portion is arranged as a footrest, wherein the combination of the biased means and the abutment portion in the form of the footrest can be arranged to provide activation of the leg muscles of the woman, for example in a leg press exercise or similar.

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the embodiments below, the appended drawings and the dependent claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in more detail by means of embodiment examples and with reference to the enclosed drawings, on which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a delivery furniture according to a first embodiment of the invention seen at an angle from above, wherein the delivery furniture is provided with movable and biased means being operable by a pregnant woman,

Fig. 2 is a schematic side view of a delivery furniture according to a second embodiment of the invention, wherein the backrest portion is in two parts and provided with an outer portion being adjustable in angle,

Fig. 3 is a schematic front view of a delivery furniture according to a third embodiment of the invention, wherein the biased means is pivotable in over the central portion.

THE INVENTION

With reference to Fig. 1 a delivery furniture 10 for facilitating labour for pregnant women is illustrated schematically. The delivery furniture 10 is designed as a delivery chair or bed, wherein it comprises a support for supporting the woman. The support is formed as a central portion 11 on which the mother to be can abut with, for example, her lower back, behind and possibly her thighs or a portion thereof. The central portion 11 is movably connected to a backrest portion 12 through a backrest joint 13, so that the back of the woman or the upper part of her back can be supported by the backrest portion 12 in an optional angle. The opposite side of the central portion 11 is connected to a footrest 14 against which the woman can press or brace her feet. The footrest 14 is for example connected to the central portion through one or more footrest joints in a conventional manner rendering the footrest adjustable according to the requirements of the user. The delivery furniture 10 further comprises legs or a stand 15 or similar to support the central portion 11 , the backrest portion 12 and the footrest 14 in a conventional manner. The delivery furniture 10 comprises at least one movable means being biased in at least one direction and having an abutment portion, wherein the biased means is operable by a pregnant woman through the abutment portion to provide increased movement of the woman and dynamic activation of her muscles. According to the illustrated embodiments the biased means is formed as at least one arm, such as a first arm 16 and a second arm 17, and the abutment portion is formed as handles 18, 19. Different embodiments of the biased means are evident for a person skilled in the art in view of the invention disclosed herein and can for example be formed by means of wires, bars, plates in combination with weights, springs, compressed air, friction increasing means etc. The biased means according to the invention is loaded in a conventional manner. Similarly, different embodiments of the abutment portion are evident for a person skilled in the art in view of the invention disclosed herein and can be formed as different kinds of handles, footrests and similar so that the woman can turn or move the biased means while activating her muscles dynamically.

According to the illustrated embodiments the first arm 16 is arranged on a first side of the central portion 11 , wherein the second arm 17 is arranged on a second side of the central portion 11 opposite the first side and wherein the arms 16, 17 are substantially parallel and operable by the pregnant woman through handles 18, 19 of each arm 16, 17.The arms 16, 17 project in front of the backrest portion 12, so that the woman can grip the han- dies while sitting or being inclined in the delivery furniture 10. Further, the arms 16, 17 are movable or pivotable, wherein the arms 16, 17 are movable between a first position and a second position as is shown in Fig. 2. Additionally, the arms 16, 17 are loaded in at least a direction towards the footrest 14 and away from the woman, so that the pregnant woman can grip the han- dies 18, 19, brace her feet against the footrest 14 and pull the handles 18, 19 in a direction towards the backrest portion 12 while bringing the biased arms 16, 17 in the same direction and while overcoming the resistance formed by the biasing load in a way so that a rowing exercise can be performed. By tests the rowing movement has proved to be particularly favourable during labour as it can provide a physiologically and/or psychologically advantageous movement for expulsion of the baby. For example, the arms 16, 17 are arranged so that they can be pivoted between 30° and 120°, rather between 45° and 90° and preferably about 60°, from a position in which they are inclined away from the backrest portion 12 to a position in which they are inclined towards the backrest portion 12, as is illustrated by means of the arrow A in Fig. 2 and the arm 16 illustrated by a dashed line.

According to the embodiment of Fig. 2 the backrest portion 12 com- prises an inner portion 20 connected to and projecting from the central portion 11 , and an outer portion 21 connected to the inner portion 20 and having a free end, and wherein an angle of the outer portion 21 is adjustable, as is illustrated by means of the arrow B in Fig. 2 and the outer portion 21 illustrated by a dashed line. For example, the inner portion 20 is connected to the central portion 11 through the backrest joint 13 in a conventional manner. In addition, the inner portion 20 projects from the central portion 11 and the backrest joint 13 a distance of about 15 to 45 cm or rather about 30 cm. For example, the inner portion 20 is connected to the outer portion 21 through a hinge 22, wherein the outer portion 21 is pivotable from a position in which it is aligned with the inner portion 20 to a position in which it is inclined away from the surface of the inner portion 20 for abutment against the woman and away from the central portion 11. Consequently, the woman can stretch her back backwards, wherein the back is relieved from stress. For example, the range of movement of the outer portion is between 5° and 30° and rather about 15°. According to one embodiment of the invention the outer portion 21 of the backrest portion 12 is formed with a resilient resistance to obtain dynamic activation of the back muscles.

According to the embodiment of Fig. 2 the stand 15 is provided with wheels 23 in a conventional manner, wherein the delivery furniture 10 can be moved easily.

With reference to Fig. 3 the delivery furniture is illustrated according to a third embodiment of the present invention, wherein the biased means is pivotable, so that it can be turned in over the central portion 11. Hence, ac- cording to the embodiment of Fig. 3 each arm 16, 17 is provided with a toggle joint 24, so that the arm 16, 17 can be pivoted in front of a woman being in the delivery furniture 10, as is illustrated by means of the arrows C and D and the arms 16, 17 illustrated by dashed lines. The toggle joint 24 is arranged at a distance from the point of attachment 25 of the arm 16, 17 in which it, for example, is connected to the central portion 11 , so that a first portion 26 of the arm 16, 17 extends between the point of attachment 25 and the toggle joint 24 and so that a second portion 27 of the arm 16, 17 projects from the toggle joint 24 and is terminated with the handle 18, 19. The first portion 26 projects a distance from the point of attachment 25 so that the toggle joint 24 is arranged just above the upper side or abutment surface of the central portion 11 for abutment against the woman.

According to the embodiment of Fig. 3 of the present invention the handles 18, 19 are arranged with a rounded form or as a part of a circle to provide a flexible choice of gripping. For example, the handles 18, 19 are arranged as the major portion of a circle or about three quarters of a circle.

According to the embodiment examples as described the delivery furniture 10 according to invention comprises arms 16, 17 projecting in front of the backrest portion 12 and above the central portion 11 or the footrest por- tion 14. Further, according to the embodiment examples described the arms are provided with or are terminated with handles 18, 19. However, it is evident for a person skilled in the art in view of the disclosed invention that the delivery furniture 10 according to the invention can be varied with respect to details while maintaining the desired effect of dynamic activation of the mus- cles of the pregnant woman during labour. According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, which is not illustrated in the drawings, the biased means, for example formed as one or more arms, can project in front of the central portion 11 , wherein the abutment portion can be formed as a footrest. Consequently, the pregnant woman can place her feet on the footrest and push away the footrest while overcoming a resistance, so that inter alia the leg muscles of the woman are dynamically activated.

Claims

1. Delivery furniture (10) comprising a support (11 , 12) for supporting a pregnant woman during labour, c h a r a c t e ri s e d in that the delivery furniture (10) comprises at least one movable means (16, 17) being biased in at least one direction and being provided with an abutment portion in the form of at least one handle (18, 19), wherein the biased means (16, 17) is operable by a pregnant woman through the handle (18, 19) in a direction towards herself while moving the biased means (16, 17) and overcoming a resistance formed by a load on the biased means (16, 17) in such a way that a rowing movement can be performed to provide an increased movement of the woman and dynamic activation of her muscles.

2. Delivery furniture according to claim 1 , wherein the delivery furniture (10) comprises a footrest (14), so that the pregnant woman can grip the handle

(18, 19) and brace her feet against the footrest (14) during the rowing movement.

3. Delivery furniture according to claim 2, wherein the biased means (16, 17) is resiliently loaded in a direction towards the footrest (14) so that the biased means (16, 17) returns to its original position when it is not operated.

4. Delivery furniture according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the support comprises a central portion (11) and a backrest portion (12), so that a pregnant woman can bear against the central portion (11 ) and be supported by the backrest (12) during labour.

5. Delivery furniture according to claim 4, wherein the biased means is formed as at least one arm (16) projecting in front of the backrest portion (12) and being movable between a first position and a second position.

6. Delivery furniture according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the biased means comprises a first arm (16) arranged on a first side and a second arm (17) arranged on a second side opposite the first side, which arms (16, 17) are operable by the pregnant woman through an abutment portion (18, 19) of each arm (16, 17).

7. Delivery furniture according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the biased means (16, 17) is formed with a joint (24), so that it can be pivoted in over the central portion (11 ).

8. Delivery furniture according to claim 4, wherein the backrest portion (12) comprises an inner portion (20) connected to and projecting from the central portion (11 ) and an outer portion (21 ) connected to the inner portion (20) and wherein an angle of the outer portion (21 ) is adjustable.

9. Delivery furniture according to claim 8, wherein the outer portion (21 ) of the backrest portion (12) is provided with a resilient resistance to provide a dynamic activation of the back muscles.