When babies couldn’t fit through, or they would get stuck in the pelvis, parts of bone and cartilage were removed to create more space for the baby. This is called a “symphysiotomy,” which is a surgical procedure in which the cartilage of the pubic symphysis is divided to widen the pelvis, allowing childbirth when there are severe complications and other methods like cesarean section are not available or advisable.⁠ ⁠ This procedure is now rarely performed in developed countries due to its potential risks and complications, and was historically used to facilitate difficult labor.⁠ ⁠ _____⁠ ⁠ #pelvis #chainsaw #history #procedure #symphysis #science #invention