The birthing chair: an obstetric hazard?

SummaryIn a random, controlled trial, mothers were allocated to cither the bed or the birthing chair for the second stage of labour. Of 288 primiparae and 348 multiparae, mothers delivered on the chair were more likely to have a postpartum haemorrhage, more likely to have a perineal tear and less likely to have an intact perineum. No evidence was found that the use of the chair was beneficial.