Today I learned that chainsaws were invented to aid with difficult childbirths

Yes, you read that correctly.

Medicine has come a long way over the centuries and we should all be really grateful, because some old hospital devices look like they belong nowhere near a human body. One thing you never think would be required in a delivery room, for instance, is a chainsaw. But apparently that's actually what it was invented for. Yes, it sounds like absolute nightmare fuel but chainsaws were actually designed to assist during C-sections. If you're planning on getting pregnant (or sleeping) again, you probably shouldn't read on. The chainsaw was developed in the 18th century by two Scottish surgeons named John Aitken and James Jeffray, who probably had the best intentions, but I really wouldn't like to have been one of their patients. Aitken and Jeffrey found that during very difficult births were a C-section was required, the tools that were available just weren't getting the job done quick enough to help save the child. The two surgeons decided they needed something that could cut faster and, more importantly for the type of C-sections performed at the time, through bone. And so the chainsaw was invented. I won't post a photo of the small chainsaw device they used, but if you're curious you can find photos and more information about it here. The part I'm still stuck at is the need to cut the bone to widen the pelvic area. I required an emergency C-section on my first baby and it was stressful on my body, it's intensive surgery after all, but there was no bone cutting required. I guess it was a different time and doctors weren't as knowledgeable about female anatomy that they are now.