GB2475498A

GB2475498A - Birthing seat with repositionable backrest

Info

Publication number: GB2475498A
Application number: GB0920276A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Samantha Jayne Finlayson
Original assignee: SAMANTHA JAYNE Ltd
Current assignee: SAMANTHA JAYNE Ltd
Priority date: 2009-11-19
Filing date: 2009-11-19
Publication date: 2011-05-25
Also published as: GB0920276D0

Abstract

A birthing seat 1 comprises a base 2 and a backrest 3, wherein the base 2 comprising two leg supports 14 and a support surface 5 which extends rearwardly from the leg supports 14 and is arranged to support at least one person, and wherein, in use, the backrest 3 can be repositioned at different positions along the base 2, preferably at discrete positions using two arms which extend from the backrest that straddle and engage the base.

Description

BIRTHING SEAT

Technical Field

The present invention relates to birthing seats.

Background

Various types of birthing seat are known. Birthing seats are designed for use by pregnant women in labour. Birthing seats are intended to allow pregnant women to adopt a comfortable position during labour. However, the birthing seats of the prior art can be unappealing to the user, and can be difficult to use and maintain.

We seek to provide an improved birthing seat.

Summary

According to the invention there is provided a birthing seat comprising a base and a backrest, and the base comprising two leg supports and a support surface, wherein, the support surface extends rearwardly from the leg supports, and the support surface arranged to support at least one person and the back rest arranged to be repositionable along the base.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Various embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a birthing seat, Figure 2 shows a plan view of a base portion of the birthing seat of Figure 1, Figure 3 shows a side elevation of the base portion of Figure 2 viewed from direction Y, Figure 4 shows a longitudinal cross-section on X-X of the base portion of Figure 2, Figure 5 shows a front elevation of the base portion of Figure 2, Figure 6 shows rear elevation of a backrest of the birthing seat of Figure 1, Figure 7 shows a side elevation of the backrest of Figure 6, Figure 8 shows a section on C-C of the backrest of Figure 7, Figure 9 shows a section on B-B of the backrest shown in Figure 6, Figure 10 is a plan view of a second embodiment of a base of the birthing seat, and Figure 11 is a side elevation of the base of Figure 10.

Detailed Description

With reference initially to Figure 1 there is shown a birthing seat 1 comprising a base 2 and a backrest 3. As will be described in detail below, the base 2 comprises a support surface 5 capable of supporting up to two people seated thereon, one in front of the other.

The base portion 2 may comprise ground-engaging non-slip pads (not illustrated).

With reference now to Figure 2, the base portion 2 comprises side walls 12 which are adjacent to the support surface 5 and are of undulating outline, so defining multiple slots/grooves 13.

The support surface 5 is of substantially concave shape and provides a substantially continuous surface. A downwardly sloping surface 15 is provided at a rearmost end of the support surface 5.

The base portion 2 further comprises divergent leg supports 14, and each leg support comprising an upper surface 14a. Each substantially planar support surface 14a is substantially continuous with the support surface 5 and is inclined relative to the support structure 5 (as best seen in Figure 4). It will be appreciated that there is a transition region between the surfaces 14a and 5.

The leg supports 14 are divergent and subtend an angle of around thirty degrees. The leg supports 14 are substantially straight (when viewed in plan). The base 2 is substantially of Y outline when viewed in plan (as best seen in Figure 2) in which that portion of the base which provides the support surface 5 is a substantially elongate portion extending rearwardly of the leg supports. An upper surface of the base 2 is provided with a tapered recessed region 16 at an apex of the leg supports 14. A basal surface which defines the recessed region 16 is of curved depth.

Located between the leg supports 14 there is a well 17 defined by inner side walls 18 of the leg supports 14 and an inclined floor portion 19.

The backrest 3 will now be described with reference to Figures 6, 7, 8 and 9. The backrest 3 comprises a main body 21 and two depending portions. The depending portions comprise depending limbs 22. The main body 21 comprises a forward facing user engaging surface 21a and a rearward facing surface 21b. The user engaging surface 21a is of generally concave shape and in situ, is inclined to the vertical at an angle x, which is approximately thirty degrees. The rearward facing surface 21b is provided with a recess 23 which is intended to be used as a handle. A lower margin of the main body 21 is provided with a cut-out 24 which extends through the main body from the user engaging surface 21a to the rearward facing surface 21b. The cut-out 24 serves a first function of allowing wires/cable for a Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) device. The cut-out 24 also serves the purpose of providing a hand-hold additional to handle 23 to lift and reposition the backrest.

The limbs 22 extend generally downwardly from the lower margin of the main body 21, in a spaced-apart relationship. Each limb 22 comprises inwardly facing protrusions 22a which extend substantially the height of the limb. The protrusions 22a are arranged to be located in respective slots 13 of the base portion 2. The two limbs 22 are arranged to straddle the base 2 and engage with respective sides of the base so as to locate the backrest 3 in a chosen position. The position of the backrest 3 is moveable to different positions along the base 2, as denoted by the double-headed arrow in Figure 1. The backrest 3 may be arranged to be positioned at any one of multiple discrete positions along the base 2 and in doing so is completely removed from the base to enable it to be relocated. It will be appreciated that in an alternative embodiment of the birthing seat, the backrest may be positioned at any one of a continuous range of positions along the base, for example, by use of a sliding engagement between the backrest and the base.

Grooves 46 are provided in the base 2 to provide handles for the user to grip. A groove 46 is provided on each outer side of the leg supports 14.

In use, the birthing seat 1 is used as follows. The backrest 3 is suitably located on the base 2 as required by the user. In order re-locate the backrest 3 from an initial position on the base 2 to a preferred, second position, the user uses the handle 23 and the opening 24 to lift the backrest 3 upwards from the base 2. In so doing, a sliding engagement between the protrusions 22a and the slots 13 occurs. Once lifted free from the base 2, the backrest 3 is re-positioned so that the protrusions 22a are vertically aligned with those slots 13 which correspond to the required position. The backrest 3 is then urged downwards to the new position. This feature of the backrest 3 being repositionable advantageously allows each user to set the area available of the support surface 5 to correspond to the users size. Thus a larger user would be able to position the backrest 3 further towards the rear of the support surface 5. Moreover, should the user prefer that another person, such as husband or partner, is also seated on the support surface 5, then backrest 3 can be positioned towards or at the rearmost position. In this latter configuration there is sufficient space available on the support surface 5 for the user (i.e. the pregnant woman) and the second person to both be seated on said support surface, wherein the backrest 3 supports the second person. It will be appreciated that in some situations it may be appropriate to remove the backrest 23 completely.

In use, the user sits on the support surface 5. The user's lower limbs are supported by the leg supports 14. Specifically, the upper parts of the user's legs are located substantially on the support portions 14. The user may recline against backrest 3. Recessed region 16 provides a space into which the user's coccyx is accommodated. This reduces or prevents undesirable pressure on the coccyx during labour.

The well 17 provides a region which gives a medical practitioner adequate access during the birth. The inclined floor portion 19 collects fluids. The inclined surface forms a well providing the medical practitioner with a visual indication when full, that approximately 1000 cubic centimetres has been collected. This is significant in the childbirth process since it can indicate possible excessive fluid loss (Post Partum Haemorrhage (PPH)). A removable catchment tray or bowl may be provided in the well 17.

As is evident from the Figures, the birthing seat 1 is provided with generally rounded contours, some examples are shown at 60, 61, 62, 63 and 64. This advantageously reduces the risk of harm to the patient by, for example, catching on a sharp corner of the seat. An additional advantage is that the birthing seat is relatively easy to clean.

Advantageously, the base and the backrest may be provided with a Microban coating, such as isopoi Anti-Bac Gel coat. The rounded contours remove crevices in which dirt, harmful bacteria, and the like may reside. Additionally the softened appearance of the base and the backrest resulting from the rounded contours is reassuring to the user because it is not overly clinical.

Figures 10 and 11 show an alternative embodiment of a base of a birthing seat. The same reference numerals are used to denote the same or like features. The base 50 is essentially identical to the base 2, save that the length of the support surface 55 is shorter than the support surface 5.

The base 50 is provided with vertical grooves/slots 13, dimensioned to receive the protrusions 22a of the backrest 3.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A birthing seat comprising a base and a backrest, and the base comprising two leg supports and a support surface, wherein, the support surface extends rearwardly from the leg supports and the support surface arranged to support at least one person and the backrest arranged to be repositionable to different positions along the base.
2. A birthing seat as claimed in claim 1, the backrest arranged to be positioned at any one of multiple discrete positions along the base.
3. A birthing seat as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 in which the backrest comprises two depending portions arranged to straddle the base and engage with respective sides of the base so as to locate the backrest in a chosen position.
4. A birthing seat as claimed in any preceding claim, the support surface capable of supporting up to two people seated thereon, one in front of the other.
5. A birthing seat as claimed in any preceding claim in which the leg supports are divergent.
6. A birthing seat as claimed in claim 5 in which the angle subtended by the leg supports is between thirty degrees and ninety degrees inclusive.
7. A birthing seat as claimed in any preceding claim in which upper surfaces of the leg supports are inclined relative to the support surface.
8. A birthing seat as claimed in any preceding claim in which each leg support is substantially straight.
9. A birthing seat as claimed in any preceding claim in which the support surface is a substantially continuous surface.
10. A birthing seat as claimed in any preceding claim in which respective upper surfaces of the leg supports are substantially continuous with the support surface.
11. A birthing seat as claimed in any preceding claim in which an upper surface of the base is provided with a recess region at an apex of the leg supports.
12. A birthing seat as claimed in claim 11 in which that portion of the surface of the base which defines the recess region is of curved depth.
13. A birthing seat as claimed in claim 11 in which the depth of the recess is tapered in a rearward direction.
14. A birthing seat as claimed in any preceding claim in which the base is substantially of Y outline when viewed in plan.
15. A birthing seat as claimed in any preceding claim in which the backrest is arranged to be removable from the base.
16. A birthing seat as claimed in any preceding claim in which the backrest comprises a through-hole, located towards a lower margin of the backrest.
17. A birthing seat as claimed in any preceding claim comprising a well provided between the leg supports.
18. A birthing seat substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings.