Well, it seems the celeb culture is nothing new, and Henry VIIIth of all people was out setting childcare fashions way back in the 16th century. Fashions that many of us still adhere to.
This isn’t really about nappies, but is about birthing babies, which is pretty close to the same topic, I feel. Anyway, I for one find it fascinating, which is why I’m telling you about it.
I cringe whenever I see medical dramas on the TV which feature women giving birth lying on their backs and I always want to shout at the screen. This is pretty much the worst way for a baby to come, as it has to fight gravity on the way down the birth canal. Women’s bodies are designed to give birth in an upright position (ever seen an animal lie on its back to give birth? There’s a reason for that…), so either cushioned in water or simply propped up on your knees facing towards the raised end of the bed is a much easier way to do it.
So why on earth do so many women lie on their backs to give birth?
My osteopath told me today that apparently it is all Henry VIIIth’s fault – he wanted to see what was going on, so he told his queen of the time to lie on her back to give birth. And, hey, you don’t disagree with a royal command (especially not with him!), so you do it.
And once the queen does it, it becomes fashionable for others at Court to do so as well. Eventually, it trickles down to the populace in general.
And that is why – until quite recently, at least – western women have tended to lie back and think of England while having a baby. Hopefully, however, the current internet-savvy generation are a bit better informed.
Remember, doing it on your back is no fun at all!!!
