As to the Greeks and the Romans, they too were very superstitious about childbirth and worshiped goddesses thought to protect expectant mothers. Greek women invoked Ilithyia, goddess of childbirth, and also the moon goddess Artemis. Ilithyia is, according to one source, “most often depicted kneeling, a position which was believed to aid delivery.”

Like the Greeks, Roman women also gave birth on special, armless chairs.”