birthing chair birthing chair a birthing chair, also known as a birth chair, is a device that is shaped to assist a woman in the physiological upright posture during childbirth. it is intended to provide balance and support. if backless, it is known as a birth stool. birthing chair with foot placements modern birthing chair (adjustable) the early birthing chairs varied between having three or four legs, though three legged birthing chairs are most commonly seen. both styles support the bottom of the women in labor and often have a slender, sloped back for comfort and to allow birthing assistants, who are positioned behind the mother in labor, to massage or support her. often the arms of the chair have hand holds or arm rests for the mother to grip, providing extra leverage. birthing chairs are usually 8 to 10 inches (20.32 centimeters- 25.4 centimeters) off the ground specifically to allow laboring women to brace their feet against the ground to help in pushing. history