Is it a good idea to watch birth programmes?

[whydoifeellikethis]

Hi,

I've noticed that there's a new programme on Tuesday evening set in a maternity ward. I'm only 7 weeks with 1st baby so it all feels way off (I'm currently focused on nausea) but I'm tempted to watch it.

Will I feel better informed afterwards or just freaked out? I'm a bit scared by the whole being pregnant and getting bigger thing let alone giving birth.

What to do.....

[BusyMissIzzy]

I know what you mean, I'm 36 weeks and I think it sounds really interesitng but it might just leave me terrified! And it will almost certainly make me cry.. I think it depends on whether you find it useful to be informed about things that can happen during childbirth, or if you think you'd rather be blissfully unaware I think I'm the former; have heard/read enough horror stories but can still convince myself that others' experiences have no bearing on what my own experience will be. Maybe I'm just incredibly naiive and/or in deep denial though

[peppapighastakenovermylife]

If you want to watch it watch it but realise that whatever happens in their labour is happening to them and not necessarily to you.

Whatever you do dont watch American ones! Home birth diaries is a good one on sky to watch simply because the births are usually normal, mums are experienced, have read up on coping techniques etc.

I think you will probably find them quite daunting. However I would be unable to stop myself watching them! Also remember that actually giving birth is a lot different to watching / worrying about a birth because you have the hormones and the adrenaline going.

[EmmaBemma]

I couldn't get enough of birth programs when I was last preggers. They were just another source of info about pregnancy and babies, and like everything else I could get my hands/eyes/ears on, (like pregnancy books, birth stories from friends/family and on the internet), I had an endless appetite for them.

I'm pregnant again now and don't feel quite the same insatiable curiosity, but would still watch one if it was on. I didn't ever find them freaky particularly. The freakiest thing I saw was an episode of Bodies (TV medical drama from a few years back) involving a botched induction, shoulder dystocia and emergency C-section, which stayed with me for quite some time.

[STORM01]

Im in the same boat. Im 20 wks with 1st baby & have to say Im very much a "whatever will be, will be" type of person & everyones horror stories (that they insist you NEED to know about)just go over my head although I do find each story interesting.

I will be watching the new series...mainly to "introduce" DH to this side of things. He's terribly squeamish & generally looks away whilst watching things such as casualty!!! Im hoping it will give us both a few key phrases so we are not going in completely blind but at the end of the day everyones experience is different & no matter what, lets face it, we've gotta do it!!!

[passionberry]

I am scared to watch it tonight! Didn't watch the dvd that the midwife lent me either . . . .

Can you all post back on here tomorrow and tell me what it was like? Pretty please I can always watch it on the ITV internet player thing.

[shipsladyg]

I think it's also worth remembering that they're going to have generally gone for the more sensational or dramatic birth stories / people and it will be edited thus, too. I'm tempted to watch - but I'm going to have a large bag of salt with me.

[first1]

I'm 26 weeks with my first baby and have been watching all the pregnancy programmes on Discovery Home&Health religiously! Yes a lot of the time I'm staring at the tv thinking "oh shit!" but they are informative and have at least slightly prepared me mentally for a bad labour IF (please no) it happened

[clothaddict]

What channel is it on? Tempted too.

[Spillage21]

The problem is that most viewers would switch off watching a quiet, darkened room, with occasional groans and moos for several hours while waiting for the 'exciting' bit...

They always seem to sensationalise birth and focus on the dramas, which give a horribly skewed sense of what is normal in birth.

And the American ones, jeez...drapes, surgical scrubs, women lying on their back, everyone screaming puuuuusssshshhhh, why why why.

[butadream]

I used to watch them last mat leave both before and after DS' birth, I don't think it did me any harm and when I was actually giving birth I can honestly say I was not thinking about them!!

But I think they can be really good to watch afterwards if you need any help with bf letdown esp. if you are trying to express.

[joanne34]

What Channel ?

Last time I watched loads of births.... I cant help but cry when the little mite appears....And I feel like 'yay' you did it !

( getting emotional)

[NovemberAli]

On Ch4 tomorrow night 9pm, called One Born Every Minute.

[porcamiseria]

This is such a good question!!!! First time around I watched a programme with this funny journalist girl (cant remeber name). Its was fairly run of the mill BUT IT COMPLETELY TRAUMATISED ME!!!! now I have been though the process, and I am wondering the samer thing about tonight . Beleive it or not I am having a dilemmna whether to watch, as will it bring on the nightmares again?

maybe we watch (morbid curiosity) and compare notes tomorrow????

It must be said I was scared before and during birth, and was shell shocked afterwards. many of my mates had similar experiences, and were just fine....

[pigleychez]

When pregnant with my first on ML, i watched everyone going, portland babies,Homebirth diaries etc.

porcamiseria - I remember that one too

Did find some of them abit scary but then used to see the easy one push and out ones and just convince myself that that would be me Turned out I had one of those horrific ones I watched but hey ho DD was worth it!
EmmaBemma- That sounds just like my DD's birth!

Im currently 26weeks with my second and dont really have the same urge to watch them all again... Plus probably not a good idea with an 18mth old!!

I will watch the one on tonight though as DD will be tucked up in bed. I will be watching and willing for one of those "easy" births again! I think ive earnt it this time!

[shipsladyg]

Although it might prove a good contraceptive for an 18 yr old...

Hubby doesn't want me to watch it. I'm not sure for whose sake....

[Reallytired]

I suggest you get hold of a copy of the "Business of Being Born" by Rikki Lake. You can get a DVD of the film from ebay.

Nice births do not make interesting TV. By all means arm yourself with information, but don't terrify yourself. If you are tense and scared in labour then the chances of nasty things happening increase. Labour will be less painful if you are calm and relaxed.

[MorrisZapp]

According to my trusty Guardian telly guide, the prog tonight is a beautifully made documentary, notable for it's lack of hysteria. There's no voiceover, just footage of events.

I can't wait to watch it. I love all well made documantaries, and this one is close to my heart right now.

[whydoifeellikethis]

Mmmmmmm after reading replies I think I'm going to watch it but maybe I'll record it so I can use the fast-forward button if needed. I don't get sky/cable so I won't have access to American birth TV (thank goodness) and yes, MorrisZapp the Guardian says it's a nicely made doc.

EmmaBemma - I also watched that episode of Bodies which was why I was deliberating, completely stayed with me too. And Reallytired, why is Rikki Lake's DVD worth getting?

I really hope this doc shows at least 1 straight-forward birth

[Genevieve10]

Apparently this programme is meant to be amazing; realistic down to earth and a really affecting film...... one review said that it was one of the few birth programmes that prospective parents should watch so maybe worth the risk...... I'm tempted but am 39+2 today and it feels very very near to risk freaking myself out..... think I won't be able to resist though
Good luck everyone!!!

[bearcrumble]

Porcamiseria - was it Dawn Porter?

I've watched a few on the Discovery Health channel. I didn't realise that 'deliver me' was high risk pregnancies only and that freaked me out a bit.

I'm recording tonight's programme cos I'm out tonight, but I've already watched some of the clips on the website and it looks really good.

[thislittlesisterlola]

well my dp is thoroughly stressed out after watching it with me. Oh good i liked it knowledge is a forewarning for me. Am gutted we dont have the channel with all the birth stories on. To dp however i think ignorance was bliss.

[gaelicsheep]

It wasn't as bad on there as I remember it. I found it quite reassuring being pg with no 2.

[ladyjadey]

Ok, so I finished up sobbing. But only the third time today I have had an uncontrollable bout of tears.

[MyNameIsInigoMontoya]

Aw I just watched it and my due date is tomorrow!! But oddly it hasn't freaked me out or anything, mostly am left thinking how sweet the babies are (and that I'm glad my DH is not such a pillock as one of theirs!).

Think DH might be a bit freaked out though - but at least it's given me a chance to give him some reminders of "what NOT to do in the delivery room if you want to live"!

[tiredfeet]

I'm only 5 weeks but me and DH watched some of it, I actually found it quite helpful as he's not the type to go and read up loads about it (yet anyway) and this made him ask loads of questions and I found it helpful to start having that conversation. did cry a lot seeing the little babies though!

then at the end I realised its filmed at the hospital where (if all goes well with pg of course) I am likely to be giving birth! felt quite weird about that!