Illustration of a section through a female pelvis showing the uterus (womb) at full term. The front of the body is at right, with the spine at left. Within the uterus the foetus will be in the birth position, with its head resting at the top of the birth canal (vagina). A finger is inserted into the vagina, performing an examination. From An Improved System of Midwifery, by Wooster Beach (1794-1868), published in 1851.