0 a special seat designed for a woman to sit on when she is giving birth, with a space at the front to allow room for the baby to come out:
Depictions of childbirth from this time usually show women giving birth sitting upright, using a birthing stool.
I wanted an upright position but I used the birthing stool because I was too exhausted to stand.
One website said you should not use a birthing stool if you have varicose veins.
I was relieved to see the midwife didn't carry a birthing stool or any tapes of whale music.
