This low-tech birthing simulator helps teach midwives how to handle postpartum hemmorhage. The $100 'frontpack' device was developed by the company Laerdal with input from a Guatemalan industrial designer, .Paula Quinona Gonzales-- as reported in the Washington Post. The device is strapped to an instructor who can control the amount of blood being released by a pouch inside the device. The Laerdal website shows the device being used for the following techniques: breech & vacuum delivery, incomplete placenta delivery, oxytocin injection and controlled cord traction. The kit comes complete with a placental fragment, a birth canal, the uterus and pouch.

Interestingly, it was specifically developed in response to an article that pointed out areas of maternal health innovation (IJGO Evidence-for-Action call for ”significantly lower cost, durable, easy-to-disassemble-and-sanitize high-fidelity mannequins with culturally appropriate features”. Hofmeyr G J et al. International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics 2009; 107: s 21- s 45.) that needed new ideas. Laerdal plan to sell the device to lower-income countries on a non-profit basis.