Having been there twice, I think it’s fair to say giving birth isn’t exactly a fun experience. But boy am I glad I gave birth in the 2020s and not the 1800s.

That’s for a plethora of reasons, but mainly this one...

Back in the late 1700s, doctors created a hand-operated medical instrument for cutting through bone. They discovered they could use it to help women give birth if their baby became stuck.

Over time, that instrument has undergone a few modifications but we now know it as the humble chainsaw.

So, the chainsaw was invented to aid with birth?

Partly, yes! As BBC Science Focus explained, the saw “was used to cut away flesh, cartilage, and bone from the mother during childbirth if the baby became stuck in the birth canal”.

Back then the saw, which became known as the “osteotome”, wasn’t like the electric chainsaws of modern day – rather, it resembled a plate with a sharp toothed chain wrapped around it, which was powered by a handle surgeons had to manoeuvre themselves. Check out this TikTok video which shows it in action.

It was also used in other surgeries where bone needed to be cut – such as amputations.

The tool was pretty revolutionary for doctors.

© HuffPost