RESUMO
In primitive cultures, women chose to give birth in upright positions such as squatting or sitting, because these positions stimulate a physiological birth. In this way, in order to make easier the delivery support tools such as birthing chair (BC) are discovered. Later, with the medicalization of childbirth, the lithotomy position was introduced as standard practice, with the aim of promoting comfort to the birth attendant. Currently, this position is still prevalent in the hospital environment. The World Health Organization recommendations, stresses the importance of providing impartial information on birthing positions to women, so that she will decide how to give birth without professional influence as a limiting factor in maternal posture. The aim of this review is to make known the utility of the BC, the advantages and disadvantages associated with it, to make it an available resource in vertical childbirth. The BC is a low rise seat horseshoe shaped stable and sturdy structure, and sitting in the chair women acquire squatting position, considered the most natural. The BC is considered a useful tool for childbirth upright. Giving birth using the BC seems to be protective against episiotomies and Kristeller maneuver, provides comfort and empowerment of women and helps them to have a more positive birth experience.
