OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The object of the present invention is a device for supporting and sheltering the
user during labour, the expulsion stage and immediate postpartum that incorporates
a series of advantages over the current devices and supports used for this purpose.
[0002] The device provides a structure with support elements where the future mother can
rest without having to maintain the weight of her body in a position that is relaxing
for her and the foetus, and which also helps during labour.
[0003] In this way, the future mother can gain strength by resting for a few moments in
a comfortable position given her state and thus be able to continue moving if she
later wishes with renewed energy.
[0004] The structure also comprises means for adopting a position that makes it possible
to push out the baby in the device itself.
[0005] Finally, the structure of the device has a warm immediate postpartum retreat area
for mother and baby that will facilitate skin-to-skin contact as well as the start
of breastfeeding.
FIELD OF APPLICATION OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The field of application of the present invention falls within the maternity and
childcare sector, focusing specifically on the industry dedicated to the manufacture
of systems, apparatus, devices and elements for accompanying childbirth, in particular
natural childbirth.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0007] It is known that the most common elements in labour rooms or had by doulas to accompany
home births are: swimming pools, pilates balls, birthing chairs, birthing tables or
slings. None of these elements allow the future mother to rest comfortably during
the often long and exhausting expulsion stage. The device of the present invention
solves this problem by establishing a device where the future mother can rest without
having to maintain the weight of her body in a position that is relaxing for her and
the foetus, and which also helps during labour.
[0008] Devices similar to the one described in the present invention that reflect the state
of the art related to the same exist. Some of these devices are indicated and the
reference for one of them is mentioned below.
[0009] Document
ES-0277489_A3 relates to a device for a birthing bed.
[0010] In this device, the mother is placed on her back and in a horizontal position, the
posture does not help the future mother with natural birth or labour, and it is only
more comfortable for the healthcare personnel, although it greatly hinders birth from
a physiological point of view.
[0011] There are also other devices such as the birthing chair, where the future mother
sits on a stool with an opening to push out the baby. This device does not allow the
future mother to take a break from supporting the weight of her body since her entire
trunk is left without a support point and it contributes to vaginal tears, as well
as episiotomies.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The invention consists of a device for supporting and sheltering the user during
labour, the expulsion stage and immediate postpartum that, in addition to offering
a series of support points that provide a resting position for the future mother during
the dilation stage and the expulsion stage, it offers a shelter area for the mother
and baby, once childbirth is complete.
[0013] The device is configured from a structure, at the upper end of which it comprises
a head support structure, preferably with a padded area as a head support pad, in
the shape of a circle and with a centre hole to allow the mother to breathe in the
resting position. Below the head support structure, it has a preferably L-shaped forearm
support structure (2a) and (2b). Finally, the lower portion of the structure has an
element for supporting the knees and also preferably the quadriceps and calves, which
allows the kneeling mother to be in a relaxed position during the dilation stage.
[0014] Preferably, the element for supporting the knees can be folded, which makes it possible
to leave it in an extended position, establishing a substantially horizontal platform
that allows the mother to squat over the same when pushing out the baby. Preferably
the element for supporting the knees is V-shaped.
[0015] The device object of the invention preferably comprises a structure defining a body
in the shape of a hollow spherical cap, generating a concavity that constitutes a
warm retreat area for the mother to place herself in the immediate postpartum, which
will facilitate skin-to-skin contact as well as the start of breastfeeding. Even more
preferably, the left lateral side of the body in the shape of a hollow spherical cap
has a padded wall, to allow the mother to rest on it.
[0016] The body in the shape of a hollow spherical cap optionally has a padded lower portion
of the wall of the immediate postpartum retreat area, so that the mother and baby
are supported and to facilitate breastfeeding, optionally there is also a space for
the mother's legs, a receptacle to place the placenta that allows late clamping of
the umbilical cord, and a large entrance area in said retreat area which has a system
that allows a curtain to be installed that can close the entrance to promote the privacy
of mother and baby and reduce the amount of light that enters, favouring lighting
conditions and conditions for retreat that are more similar to the mother's womb and
can make the newborn feel calmer.
[0017] Preferably, one or more of the support elements of the different parts of the user's
body of the device object of the invention are adjustable in order to adapt to the
different dimensions of each user's body.
[0018] This device solves the problems of future mothers who are in labour and do not have
a place to rest during the long hours that a birth can last, which requires great
physical, mental and emotional effort and requires moments of relaxation between contractions
so that the future mother can regain strength.
[0019] It also offers magnificent support for childbirth in a diagonal squatting position
with support on the trunk to facilitate the stability and safety of the future mother
when pushing out the baby, something that does not exist in other current devices
since they do not respect the natural birth position.
[0020] Lastly, it also provides a unique opportunity for mother and baby to get to know
each other in an intimate environment that helps keep the newborn calm, an element
that does not currently exist in either hospitals or accessories for doulas.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] To complement the description provided herein, and for the purpose of helping to
make the features of the invention more readily understandable, said description is
accompanied by a set of drawings constituting an integral part of the same, which
by way of illustration and not limitation represents the following:
Figure 1 shows a schematic side elevation view of an example of the device according
to the invention, represented with the mother in a resting position;
Figure 2 shows a view of the device similar to the previous one, in this case represented
with the mother in a position of pushing out the baby; and
Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the device shown in the previous figures, in
this case represented with the mother in an immediate postpartum retreat position.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0022] The aforementioned figures show a non-limiting preferred exemplary embodiment of
the device for supporting and sheltering (compartment) the user during labour, the
expulsion stage and immediate postpartum according to the invention, which comprises
what is described in detail below, in accordance with the numbering adopted based
on the following list of references:
1. Folding padded knee support element.
2a and 2b. Arm support structures.
3. Padded lateral for the side.
4. Vertical joining structure.
5. Cervical head rest pad.
6. Horizontal platform for squatting.
7. Padded lower portion of the wall of the inner retreat area.
8. Space for the mother's legs in the retreat area.
9. Receptacle for the placenta.
10. Entrance to the immediate postpartum retreat area.
11. Legs with wheels.
12. Inner wall of the retreat area.
13. Curtain of the retreat area.
14. Padded support areas, on the chest structure 4, the head pad 5 and the arm structures
2a and 2b.
15. Compartment
[0023] The figures show the structure of the device, in its support function: in the rest
or labour position (Figure 1) and in the position of pushing out the baby (Figure
2), and in its shelter function: an immediate postpartum position (Figure 3).
[0024] Figures 1 and 3 show how the device (15), which is configured from a structure defining
a body in the shape of a hollow spherical cap, where the upper end has a structure
with a head support pad (5), in the shape of a circle and with a centre hole; where
the lower portion of said head support pad has an L-shaped forearm support structure
(2a) and (2b), which is shown in Figure 2; where the left lateral side of the body
of the device constitutes a padded wall (3) to facilitate the lateral support of the
mother. Furthermore, the lower portion of said body has a folding padded knee support
element (1), which has a V-shape when it is in a folded rest position, serving to
support the user's quadriceps, knees and calves (Figure 1). The intermediate area
of the spherical body has an inner concavity that constitutes an inner cavity suitable
for accommodating the reclining mother, for the shelter function in the immediate
postpartum position, as shown in Figure 3.
[0025] Figure 2 shows the horizontal platform (6) configured when the folding support element
(1) has been made to move from the "V" position to the extended position due to the
fact that it has a joint at the vertex of said "V" that allows said folding, allowing
the mother to squat over said platform (6) at the time of pushing out the baby.
[0026] Figure 3 shows the device (15) in its shelter function, in the immediate postpartum
position, where the intermediate area of the spherical body has a concavity that constitutes
an inner cavity and has a padded lower portion (7) of the inner wall (12) of the immediate
postpartum retreat area, so that the mother and baby are supported, and to facilitate
breastfeeding, and there is a space for the mother's legs (8), a receptacle for the
placenta (9), and a large entrance area (10) on the right lateral portion thereof,
and also a curtain (13) that promotes the privacy of the mother and baby.
[0027] Preferably, the V-shaped folding padded support element (1) of the lower portion
for kneeling support of the mother, the horizontal platform (6) and the vertical chest
support structure (4) with the two arm supports (2a, 2b) are adjustable in position,
in order to adapt to the different dimensions of each woman's body.
[0028] Preferably, the spherical body of the device (15) is supported on legs (11) with
wheels.
[0029] The invention is industrially applicable, using mainly two materials for the same:
roto-moulded plastic and aluminium for the structure of the device (15), and synthetic
plastic for the padding (14); of the padded lateral (3) for the side, of the structure
for the upper chest (4) or arms (2a, 2b) and of the padding (5) for the head.
[0030] Having sufficiently described the nature of the present invention, as well as the
ways in which it may be implemented, it is not considered necessary to elaborate on
the explanation thereof in order for a person skilled in the art to understand the
scope of the invention and the advantages derived therefrom.
1. A device for supporting and sheltering the user during labour, the expulsion stage
and immediate postpartum,
characterised in that it comprises:
• at its upper end, a head support structure (5),
• under said head support structure (5), a forearm support structure (2a) and (2b),
• in the lower portion, a knee support element (1).
2. The device for supporting and sheltering the user during labour, the expulsion stage
and immediate postpartum, according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises a structure defining a body in the shape of a hollow spherical cap.
3. The device for supporting and sheltering the user during labour, the expulsion stage
and immediate postpartum, according to claim 2, characterised in that the inner cavity of the structure defining a body in the shape of a hollow spherical
cap has a padded area (7) at least in the lower portion (12) thereof.
4. The device for supporting and sheltering the user during labour, the expulsion stage
and immediate postpartum, according to claim 2 and 3, characterised in that in the inner cavity the structure defining a body in the shape of a hollow spherical
cap has a space for the mother's legs (8), a receptacle for the placenta (9), and
a large entrance area (10) on the right lateral portion thereof.
5. The device for supporting and sheltering the user during labour, the expulsion stage
and immediate postpartum, according to any of claims 2 to 4, characterised in that it comprises a curtain (13) that can close the entrance to the structure defining
a body in the shape of a hollow spherical cap.
6. The device for supporting and sheltering the user during labour, the expulsion stage
and immediate postpartum, according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the knee support element (1) can be folded such that in a folded position it supports
the knees and also preferably the quadriceps and calves, which allows the kneeling
mother to be in a relaxed position during the dilation stage, and in an extended position
it allows the mother to squat over it when pushing out the baby.
7. The device for supporting and sheltering the user during labour, the expulsion stage
and immediate postpartum, according to the preceding claims, characterised in that the forearm support structure (2a) and (2b) is adjustable in height.
8. The device for supporting and sheltering the user during labour, the expulsion stage
and immediate postpartum, according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the spherical body of the compartment (15) is supported on legs (11) with wheels.
9. The device for supporting and sheltering the user during labour, the expulsion stage
and immediate postpartum, according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the structure of the compartment (15) is made of roto-moulded plastic and aluminium
and the padding (14) is made of synthetic plastic.