Chainsaws Were Invented for a *Disturbing* Reason
That reason? Childbirth
It’s no secret that we’ve come a long way with modern medicine, but did you know that chainsaws were originally invented for assisting with childbirth? If you’re clenching your legs together, just know that so am I. The history of the chainsaw has developed rapidly starting in the 1700s. Let’s take a closer look at what sparked this invention.
The Childbirth Problem
Before C-sections women had a tough time pushing out large babies. C-sections, or Cesarean sections, is the surgical removal of the baby from the uterus.
According to Mayo Clinic, this is generally required if problems with the baby passing through the birth canal are predicted or if issues arise in the late stages of pregnancy, such as delayed labor or a distressed baby.
However, in the 1700s, they didn’t perform C-sections yet. Babies getting stuck in the birth canal was a problem that could result in death for the baby and/or mother.
Their solution? A symphysiotomy.
Symphysiotomies are no longer used for childbirth and for good reason. They were a messy procedure that often caused lasting damage to the mother. This damage was both physical and mental, as the procedures could be difficult to…
