The Evolution of Bipedalism and Assisted Birth

The role of the evolution of bipedalism in transforming childbirth from an individual to a social enterprise is examined. In quadrupedal species the newborn emerges from the birth canal facing the same direction as the mother, an orientation that facilitates the mother to care for the infant without...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Medical anthropology quarterly 1996-06, Vol.10 (2), p.287-290
Main Author: Trevathan, Wenda R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Authoritarianism
Biological Evolution
Biosocial Theory
Birth
Canals
Childbirth
Commentaries
Cultural anthropology
Delivery, Obstetric - psychology
Evolution
Female
Human evolution
Humans
Infant, Newborn
Infants
Knowledge
Labor, Obstetric - psychology
Medical anthropology
Midwifery
Posture
Pregnancy
Primates
Reproduction
Social Environment
Social evolution
Sociobiology
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Summary:The role of the evolution of bipedalism in transforming childbirth from an individual to a social enterprise is examined. In quadrupedal species the newborn emerges from the birth canal facing the same direction as the mother, an orientation that facilitates the mother to care for the infant without assistance from others. The evolution of bipedalism required the neonate to rotate several times to pass through the birth canal & emerge facing away from the mother, making it difficult for births to occur unassisted. It is because chances of infant & mother survival were enhanced by the presence of others to assist birthing that the social nature of birthing evolved. 23 References. D. Generoli
ISSN:0745-5194
1548-1387
DOI:10.1525/maq.1996.10.2.02a00100