Foetus in the uterus during labour. Artwork taken from William Smellie's textbook A sett of anatomical tables, with explanations, and an abridgement, of the practice of midwifery, published 1754. The uterus is seen from the side, having been sectioned through the centre to reveal the foetus. This foetus is in a normal position, but the alternative lines describe the shape of the uterus when the foetus lies too high or too low, which could lead to a difficult birth. Smellie (1697-1763) was a Scottish doctor who has become known as the father of British midwifery.