Videotaping Birth - Yea or Nay?

[Sequoia]

Well, I always thought it was kind of... horrifying? Weird? Nasty? To say the least. What with the graphic photography of what are essentially temporary internal organs splashing out of the mother's vagina along with the baby. Not to mention the involuntary urinating and defecating and all. But...

What do you think?

[Raven Reed]

If you have a tasteful person filming, that doesn't happen. My first was videotaped, c-section and all, the second wasn't, only because we didn't have access to a video camera.

[Sequoia]

Politely, may I ask why you felt a need to videotape the birth of your child? :)

[FaerieGothMommy]

no thanks!! Got nothing against those who do, but i wouldn't like to look back on it - myself giving birth. If it was a c-section i'd do it... but for me, not a vaginal birth. especially with the experience i had with my second!!! You'd faint :lol:

[Raven Reed]

Politely, may I ask why you felt a need to videotape the birth of your child? :)


Because it's a one time only event, sacred and never to be repeated, at least for that human. And we could. :p

Very few people have seen the tape, it's not like I put it up on CNN. Besides, when I get nostalgic for another child, I whip out that tape and relive the "joy" of childbirth.

[Ahautenites]

I have nothing against anyone who does film their birth, but I couldn't be one of those people. I'd be more likely to throw the camera against the wall and punch the person holding it before I could relax enough (I'm very high strung and irritable on the best of days, and I imagine that if I were in labor, it would be FAR from the best of days) and feel safe enough to give birth.

[morrigen]

Dear Gods, no.

The thought of me at my most stressed, vulnerable and frightened...on *tape*....no way.

I had complicaions and a forceps delivery, was in bucketloads of pain, and to be honest, even when I think about it now, nearly 2 years later, I get the cold chills and feel very anxious.

I'd rather take footage of my little guy doing things like taking his first steps, or smiling, or his first words...or us doing stuff as a family...things where we are all enjoying ourselves and happy.

Besides which, I'm an incredibly private person and the thought of that being on tape and *potentially* available for others to view...nuh-uh, no way.

[Ceres]

i opted for pictures, but not a video. most of the pictures are of my husband and i in labour, but there are two shots of my son crowning and some of his first moments. what convinced me to do it was a midwife friend saying(she cracks me up): "one coochie is just like another, you can always burn the pics if u dont like them, but if u dont take them u wont be able to make the choice." i am very glad i took them, but then they arent as you describe - there is very little blood and gore and torture in them. another friend who wrote a book on homebirth used a shot of the midwife listening to the fetal heartbeat without making me lie down in her book. we also haul out the little photo album every year on my sons birthday and retell the story of the day he was born. the emphasis is NOT on the pain or gore or torture, but on how happy and excited we were that he joined us. i actually wish i had taken pictures of my first two children's births as well.

[HorseCrow]

essentially temporary internal organs splashing out of the mother's vagina along with the baby.

Errr, excuse me? Just what organs are you referring to?

I do not know what births you have seen... urinating etc? It happens, but not always, by far. Most births have no gore and yuk, the way you describe it. Must admit I found it a little offensive the way you describe it. And very far from the truth. yes, there might be blood etc, but there is also ATMOSPHERE.

[Ahautenites]

Probably referring to the placenta and umbilical cord. These could be categorized as temporary internal organs.

[Shanti]

Well, if I would of had a recorder, I would of done it.

Just have someone you are comfortable with, do the taping from the sidelines. Basically be sure the person doing the taping doesnt make a noticable, distracting, issue of themself. Also it would help if they know the complete birth process so they can film the delivery of the baby but pan off during the afterbirth part. There is a break before the afterbirth is delivered. And more often than not, there usually isnt defectating or anything during the birth. Usually the mother is empty before she births.
Also if you dont like the tape when you watch it afterward, you can always toss it. But to capture that childs entry to the world and those first cries and the sounds of joy that fill the room are wonderful moments in the birth process. :)

My opinion. :)

[soilsigh aingeal]

I did it when I had my first, and with my second, I forgot to bring the camcorder with me. Anyway, I watched it one time and my best friend saw it, I think my mom may have seen it too but she was there holding my leg, so who cares? I wanted it because I'd never seen it before and I wanted to see it. It's sitting in her memory box and hasn't left it for a long time.

[Autumn]

I might not care if it was taped or not, If that was something that my husband wanted but I would want the videographer to be someone very knowlegdeable about the birth process and able to stay on the sidelines and know what not to film...like my face while I'm yelling...

Do NOT ask me to veiw the tape though...I can hardly bear to hear my voice on the answering machine!!

[FaerieGothMommy]

Errr, excuse me? Just what organs are you referring to?

I do not know what births you have seen... urinating etc? It happens, but not always, by far. Most births have no gore and yuk, the way you describe it. Must admit I found it a little offensive the way you describe it. And very far from the truth. yes, there might be blood etc, but there is also ATMOSPHERE.

Yeh, i think they may have meant the placenta. But with the placenta, that is delivered afterwards, not with the baby, so you can stop filming when you are delivering the placenta.. thats not a very exciting bit :lol: I think other than the baby, it's blood.... the placenta is after. (obviously you already know this horsecrow :lol: ) just stating :) .

[Tsuchimaru]

I think birth is beautiful...why not save it forever?

[Sequoia]

*laughs* Yes, I was talking about the placenta, etc. And of course not all women urinate and defecate constantly all over themselves! Sheesh! But a lot of women don't even know that that HAPPENS, and boy are they surprised! Though I'd imagine they're a bit more distracted by the excruciating pain.

No no, I think you're taking me wrong. I do think birth is a beautiful thing; I just think that it's the birth *itself* that is beautiful. That it is the energy and experience and just *where you are* at that moment, that single place and time in the universe, when you are there with your loved one(s), bringing a new life into the world. When it's happening, I doubt you're even very much aware of the more physical not-so-pretty parts of it. And I have the feeling that the more not-so-pretty parts are a LOT more obvious on tape. I've seen parts of a live birth on video... and while I'm sure it was incredibly spiritual and meaningful for the couple during the event, it seriously was *not* a magical thing to watch.

I don't know, I suppose I feel like the atmosphere is involved in the actual time/place, and that it cannot accurately be captured on a camcorder for later viewing. It makes you remember it, of course! But... you know... why not use tasteful still photos? :)

[FaerieGothMommy]

I tell you what would have looked disgusting... was as my son was coming out he decided to do a poo :lol: afterwards i thought i'd done it haha.... it was actually my son, wasn't very nice.

[Ceres]

i didnt opt for a video, but i will remain indebted forever to those brave women who did video tape their home births and then allowed them to be publically viewed. without seeing these lovely births, i would not have had the courage to have my babies drug free at home.

[Tzhebee]

I had my aunt videotape the birth of my daughter. And I am SOOOO glad that I did. Going back and watching the tape later, I *saw* so much stuff going on that I did not even realized had happened. At one point my mother was placing cool cloths on my head, then it was my sister....I had no idea my mom and sister traded places, and would not have known if not for the video.

:lol: I'm know that's silly, but it's still important to me (althought I cannot explain why). The best thing about it, though, was that my aunt took the entire video at a 90 degree angle to my body. So, the entire video is me sideways, instead of the view from my feet. It allowed my "private parts" to stay private...and I am now able to watch the birth of my daughter *with* my daughter. What better gift is there than that?

[Temptation]

No thanks!
I always say that the day my baby was born was the absolute best and abolute worst day of my life. *lol* I do not want to see that "worst part" anywhere else but in my memories. :vanish:

[Jackiedanielz]

I've seen someone giving birth 'live and in person' but never on a video tape, unless your talking about the miracle of life. I myself would not videotape it but I'm all for it for others. You can always destroy the evidence later if you want to. And why not see your child being born from the other side?

[Valkie]

I've seen someone giving birth 'live and in person' but never on a video tape, unless your talking about the miracle of life. I myself would not videotape it but I'm all for it for others. You can always destroy the evidence later if you want to. And why not see your child being born from the other side?

:hehehehe: :bigredblu

[Sequoia]

:lol: I'm know that's silly, but it's still important to me (althought I cannot explain why). The best thing about it, though, was that my aunt took the entire video at a 90 degree angle to my body. So, the entire video is me sideways, instead of the view from my feet. It allowed my "private parts" to stay private...and I am now able to watch the birth of my daughter *with* my daughter. What better gift is there than that?

Now see, that I could cope with. I just can't comprehend why someone wants "cootch-vision" of the birth of their child. It's just... weird, to me. Why would you want to videotape that?

[Jolixte]

Uh... HELL NO!!! Sorry, just don't want to remember it any way, but from memory.

[Shanti]

I had my aunt videotape the birth of my daughter. And I am SOOOO glad that I did. Going back and watching the tape later, I *saw* so much stuff going on that I did not even realized had happened. At one point my mother was placing cool cloths on my head, then it was my sister....I had no idea my mom and sister traded places, and would not have known if not for the video.

:lol: I'm know that's silly, but it's still important to me (althought I cannot explain why). The best thing about it, though, was that my aunt took the entire video at a 90 degree angle to my body. So, the entire video is me sideways, instead of the view from my feet. It allowed my "private parts" to stay private...and I am now able to watch the birth of my daughter *with* my daughter. What better gift is there than that?
Oh TZ that is so cool!! I wish I had that to share with my kids. Wow....so cool. And done nicely too by your aunt in making it descrete but full of memory!!! http://mysticwicks.com/images/smilies/bounce.gifhttp://mysticwicks.com/images/smilies/bounce.gifhttp://mysticwicks.com/images/smilies/bounce.gif

[Shadowulfe]

i feel as long as both partners mutually agree to it beforehand, then go for it. but personally i felt it would be best remembered in my own personal way. niether myself nor my fiancee Angelwulfe wanted either of the births videotaped

[Muireannach]

No...no...and NO.

I don't find birth beautiful, it is a disgusting and brutal process to me. Filming it is just creepy, who here would honestly like to see their mother's "lady parts"? and who would like a video of them gushing afterbirth and screaming, sweating, and pushing?

I personally wouldn't...

[Ceres]

the rest of the world thinks north americans are weird because we fear and revile birth and death - i guess its all in your perspective.
remember also, medicated, sedated hospital births look a lot different than a natural birth.

[HorseCrow]

remember also, medicated, sedated hospital births look a lot different than a natural birth.

I agree 100%.

[rain_fallen_tears]

Whatever is right for the people, as for my someday birth....no video cameras PLEASE!:D

[PoisonIvy]

TO EACH HIS/HER OWN! For me.....NO! My sisters mother-in-law filmed the birth of my nephew. I found that very disturbing,but if it were our mother I think I would have felt a little bit different. Nope! Prolly not. Nevermind! Back to my original statement.

[BrigidMoon]

TO EACH HIS/HER OWN! For me.....NO! My sisters mother-in-law filmed the birth of my nephew. I found that very disturbing,but if it were our mother I think I would have felt a little bit different. Nope! Prolly not. Nevermind! Back to my original statement.

I agree, nope don't really want me giving birth on film. It's a very private moment in my eyes.

[fahawk]

Not me..I just found it even hard to relax with the people I wanted there, hubby- midwife..staring.. That is probably why I didnt call the midwives to come until I really needed them!
We took pictures..and I cherish those..and I didnt have to have the sound affects/ moment by moment of all the groaning etc.
But for those who are comfortable and it doesnt/ wont bother ..go for it!

[Ceres]

Not me..I just found it even hard to relax with the people I wanted there, hubby- midwife..staring..

didnt u feel like u ought to break into song and dance or something? what with them all there waiting for you to perform lol

[fahawk]

Radikalwomyn yes :))))
I remember someone saying..birth is like sex..you dont want someone leaning over your shoulder during either of them :))


I just had abit of the feeling of being self-conscience - like I shouldn't make that noise or try that position..or whatever..and I even remember one time the midwife saying, well if you want me to help you deliver, you are going to have to move..and I just wanted to say F- I am doing great in this position at the moment- leave me alone :)) but NO, I actually tried to adjust my positon.

[Khuinaset]

I personally wouldn't want to do it...but not because I think birth is disgusting or anything, because of what fahawk said...and I think it'd make me nervous too :lol:

[zehava]

i couldn't really vote...

i've been through two births and i *wish* i had someone taking pics/videotaping now. i have never seen a birth from the other side, kwim? and, frankly, during both births, i was too busy labouring to watch, and the pain made me want to keep my eyes closed and not have to feel it AND look at it, if that makes any sense.

IF i ever have another, i'd love someone to videotape it.

-z

[skatha_mare]

I've seen someone giving birth 'live and in person' but never on a video tape, unless your talking about the miracle of life. I myself would not videotape it but I'm all for it for others. You can always destroy the evidence later if you want to. And why not see your child being born from the other side?
I've seen both, and either way it's not much different. I think that if the video is kept for private use (I had an aunt who was compelled to show everyone), that's the family's choice.


My sister's comment after my niece was born," You did so well, you didn't freak at all." I then pointed out that human birth isn't any different than any other mammal I had assisted (just fewer babies). She didn't appreciate that commenthttp://mysticwicks.com/images/smilies/rotflol.gif . Anyway, my point is that birth isn't any more or less gross than any other function of the human body. It is just more emotionally/ physically intense than most. Oh yeah, my niece was 10lb 7oz, no drugs- boy am I glad it wasn't me pushing.

[charmedkisses1]

I think it depends on the person, so I didn't vote.

[Aleigh]

I have no problem with other people wanting to videotape their children's birth (as long as they don't make me watch it) ;) I just wouldn't want to tape my own child's birth. I don't want to see that! Just seeing the gross mess left over afterwards is bad enough. LOL :hairred: I kind of blocked out all the visuals while it was happening both times, and got grossed out immediately afterwards by all the blood and ick. I swear, if I had seen a video of my first son being born I am sure I would not have had another after that. :lol:

I got to be present for my nephew's birth last June and I told my sister in law afterwards that if I had seen that before I had kids, I would not have kids. Looking at it is almost worse than doing it, I think. :lol:

[Ceres]

my daughter was present at the birth of her brother. she desperately wanted to be present for the birth and so we prepared her by showing her videos of other home births and by talking about what would happen, how it would look and what sort of behavior she might expect from me. there was someone present just for her who was able to leave if she wanted to leave.
i asked her if she still wanted children and she said yes but not for a long time lol.

[evie_mun]

Personally, no way! Yes, birth is supposedly one of the most beautiful and wonderful moments of a woman's life, but it is also the short period of time when she is at her most vulnerable. I have heard many horror stories of urinating and deficating, not to mention placenta and everything coming out. I'm sorry, but ew. It's beautiful that a baby is coming into the world, but it is probably one of the less aesthetically beautiful moments of a woman's life. I'll pass, thanks.

[Kalika]

Not going to do it. I don't want a video camera pointed down there... or anywhere near down there. :lol:

Not to mention I think it'd be distracting for me.

[Élistariel]

hmm, I don't have kids. So no personal experiences from me. I think I would like it to be filmed, but in "made for tv movie" style. I'd only want parts filmed, not the whole darn thing! Ugh. From what I remember being told, my mom went into labor around 9pm and I was born 7:36 am, the following day. Chances are we'd run out of film.
I could never allow a crotch shot version. Eww. For those who consider it, ask yourselves this: "Would you want to see yourself coming out of your mother's crotch?" I thought not.
Then again, I'll probably end up with one of those weak-stomached husbands. :lol: I can see my future-kid birthing tape now:
Me in labor, all sweaty and screaming, doctors nearby. *Frame wobbles a bit*
Then you'd see : Doctor, me, bed, surgical tools, FLOOR! nurses's feet :lol:

[wintermagick]

I plan to have one with the arrival of my first child (she will be here in just 3-6 weeks!) but in a really tasteful way where all you see is a sheet covering legs and suddenly the doctor pulls out this screaming lobster looking little person out from under the sheet. I've seen it filmed this way several times... it's not TOO freaky...

_catroll_

[KaimelarFeylove]

i have no children, but if/when i do, i am going to ban the camras. I dont like them as it is. Why would i want a viedo of me screaming and sweating... that would also be the conseption video, right? <sorry, tasteless joke> :imout:

of course, i also want to do the at home birth.. use a midwife rather than a hospital.. prehaps even on other the birthtanks.. i read up on them once.. lots of good things seem to happen with that

[Élistariel]

come to think of it, I'm more curious about this:
Out of those of you who did opt to film it; how many of you have the um, "miracle" on tape, and how many of you have a mini documentary on fainting?

[OriginalWacky]

I could see doing the video from the side maybe, but with all my births, there were issues that would have prevented that anyway. I have to admit, I'm kind of glad that I didn't tape any of them, one of my friends did, full on down-there shot, and showed EVERybody. I could never do that.

I didn't find birth to be disgusting or anything, but it wasn't a pleasure cruise. I do have a few stills before and after, but not of the actual birth, and that is good enough for me. I have pretty good memory of them all, and I've written about them before, so hopefully can share that with my children when they have children (they aren't too interested yet hehe).

Side note, not everybody delivers the placenta AFTER the baby. One of mine plopped out with the kid. Er, I hope that wasn't too gross.

[fahawk]

Mine were homebirths, and each of the older siblings were there..with the choice to come or go as they pleased..but they stayed :)
I am glad I did this at home, it was empowering, and beautiful in ways I cant describe..
just not sure I want "IT" all on tape..
but they do have those birthing shows on t.v...and seem to be discreetly done- so I guess you could video just what parts you want to have for memories:)

[coyoger]

I have nothing against people who do. But I'm sorry, my "dirty bits" should remain hidden to evenone but me, my mate and my doctors. The thought of letting my daughter see herself popping out of mommy... Well other than a good deterent to keep her from ever having babies of her own, is just weird. I never understood the need some have to tape such events.

Even stranger is I went to a funeral once and saw someone recording that. Now there's just something WRONG with that.

[Élistariel]

Good word! Hands down, taping a funeral is way worse than taping birth..


I have nothing against people who do. But I'm sorry, my "dirty bits" should remain hidden to evenone but me, my mate and my doctors. The thought of letting my daughter see herself popping out of mommy... Well other than a good deterent to keep her from ever having babies of her own, is just weird. I never understood the need some have to tape such events.

Even stranger is I went to a funeral once and saw someone recording that. Now there's just something WRONG with that.

[Ceres]

I have nothing against people who do. But I'm sorry, my "dirty bits" should remain hidden to evenone but me, my mate and my doctors. The thought of letting my daughter see herself popping out of mommy....

if u think your "bits" are dirty, its prolly best your daughter learns about birth elsewhere.

[Invidosa]

No thank you, I think I would rather keep the experience in my memory. Of course birth is beautiful, miraculous, and fantastic. However, I don't think a 12 hour video of me sweaty, and in pain would make good viewing.

[OriginalWacky]

I have nothing against people who do. But I'm sorry, my "dirty bits" should remain hidden to evenone but me, my mate and my doctors. The thought of letting my daughter see herself popping out of mommy... Well other than a good deterent to keep her from ever having babies of her own, is just weird. I never understood the need some have to tape such events.

Even stranger is I went to a funeral once and saw someone recording that. Now there's just something WRONG with that.
I don't think that's so strange. I took pictures at my grandfather's funeral, including one of him in his casket. I wish I had done the same at my other grandpa's funeral. I believe that birth AND death are both miracles, and both transitions. I don't want to film either of those in a very detailed manner, but some photographic record is good for me.

[~~Cypher~~]

I think if a man gets to tape his wife deliever a child, she should get to tape his hemoriod surgery!

[Leighla]

I wouldn't have minded my kids deliveries being taped. I didn't get to see a thing! At least I would have known what happened with my second one...I'm still not too sure what was wrong other than the cord wrapped around his neck a couple of times (he's fine now). I wouldn't show the tape to anyone. It would be for me only. There was a girl at work who taped and had pictures taken and I heard she brought the pictures in. I didn't see them and I wouldn't want to see them either. That is something personal for the family only.

I know there were pictures of my grandmother's family at their funerals and wakes but she threw them out years and years ago when her father or brother died. I would have liked to have seen those too.

[lil_suzie]

Ok I just wanna give my experience with this, I'm only 13 so I haven't
had to think about this for me yet BUT my momma did it, and i am REALY
glad, she died when I was little and I don't remember her but I've watched
the video many many times, its been realy great for me because I can see
how much she went thru to have me and how happy she was after, its
incredably interesting to see my first moments in the world I look
so dazed by the whole thing, but to see my momma there and then
with baby-me at her breast its just a great way for me to see that she
was a real person who loved me, not just a name on a paper.

[Flar's Freyja]

Many of us encourage children to watch kittens, puppies and calves being born to teach them about the birds and bees - so what's so different about seeing their own birth?

I had 'natural' childbirth with all 3 of my sons - and no drugs. I was in too much freakin' pain to pay attention to what was going on around me, and I didn't get to see anything except my middle son crowning for a brief moment. We were too poor to own a videocam and didn't know anyone who did - but I wish that we'd had opportunity to tape the births.

And a videotape would come in handy for cases of of medical malpractice that may show up later. For instance, cerebral palsy is caused by forceps delivery and some other disabilities are directly caused by mistakes that were made during childbirth.

[Flar's Freyja]

Good word! Hands down, taping a funeral is way worse than taping birth..

Why? Death is as much of a transition as birth and both are to be celebrated. It's actually quite Pagan.

[evie_mun]

I think if a man gets to tape his wife deliever a child, she should get to tape his hemoriod surgery!

Amen! _handclapp

[Flar's Freyja]

My ex-husband likes to tell people that when they did the episiotomy with #1, he broke into song:

"There goes my only possession......"

:hahugh:

[Marchosias]

Yeah. You all can tape it if you want, but somehow the image of a bloody, screaming child making an exit through the genitilia of (hopefully) my wife would burn things into my mind that could very well flashback at just the wrong times.

I'll hold hands, but no peepshow here.

[MoonKnight]

I voted no, I'm happy with just the memories. Unless you think you may need it as a motivational video when the child is older. "See what your mother went through to have you, now go clean your room. It's the least you can do."

[ravenmyst]

I voted no, had two c-sections, if I need to relive I look at the scar and the kids

[Athena-Nadine]

I don't think that's so strange. I took pictures at my grandfather's funeral, including one of him in his casket. I wish I had done the same at my other grandpa's funeral. I believe that birth AND death are both miracles, and both transitions. I don't want to film either of those in a very detailed manner, but some photographic record is good for me.
My niece, who was 9 at the time, took a picture of my father in his casket at his funeral last year. My sister (not her mother) thought it was a horrible thing to do. *...shrugs...* I didn't see anything wrong with it. My niece spent at least an hour, almost every day, with my father, both in the hospital and at home, the entire 18 months after he had his stroke and became completely paralyzed. She was one of the only people to continue to treat my father as "normal" when he could do nothing but blink but could understand everything that went on around him. I still have the picture. I haven't been able to bring myself to delete it off my phone.

As for videotaping the birth of my children, it's not something I've thought about at all until I saw this thread. But I don't see what the big deal is. It's a baby, a vagina, a little blood, some fluids, etc. There's nothing disgusting or weird about any of it. *...shrugs...* It's the beginning of life and should be celebrated, not mourned for whatever pain and mess and inconvenience may go along with it.

[Black RiverWolf]

i would not mind if it was done. how it was mentioned before at a 90 degree angle to keep what i would not want a young child to see and when i asked the SO he said it was up to me what we did.