Photographing the birth

[SPTPhotography]

Has anyone out there dared to have the birth photographed or filmed!?

[Yukana]

I believe so? At least I hope so! I'm planning on filming the birth (not full frontal view ) as much as possible.

[RSM1]

I was wondering about how this was perceived here in the UK. My first child was born in the USA and it was both filmed and photographed. Although, the filming during labour had to be from a tripod sitting behind my hospital bed. As soon as the baby came out, the camera could be moved. So I have everything, like the apgar score, weighing, etc. on film. I have still photos of the entire process too. I had a difficult labour including ventouse delivery, and it took a while before I ever wanted to watch. But it's really special to me now. Wishing I could do the same with this delivery.

[EvilTwins]

The anaesthetist at the c-section birth of my twins took the camera from DH and took some totally amazing shots. The light in the operating theatre made them look like pro shots, despite our rubbish camera. They're kind of gory looking, and I've only ever shown one other person but I'm so glad we've got them.

[Tangle]

I had a HB with DD1 and one of the MWs took some photos for us. She wasn't small (9lb12), breech and didn't come out in the most straightforward manner (although she came out fine). I don't really show them off, but they have been used for training purposes when our MW has given lectures on breech birth. Thankfully I think most of the students are focused on the baby rather than my posterior!

[SelinaDoula]

I take pics at many of the births I attend. Its lovely to capture those early momments, and at least with a digi camera you can delete them after if you dont like them!

[NorthLondonDoulas]

I photographed all of my births and filmed two of them! It was totally amazing to watch back and something that i will cherish forever!

Some hospitals dont like the births being filmed but this is very rare and as long as there are no complications during delivery and the camera operator stays out of the way of the staff when they are delivering the baby there is generally no reason for them to say no.

Good luck.x

[BoysRusxxx]

I video'd both my babies. The first time a MW took the video for me, it it lovely, it has ds being placed on my tummy then dp cutting cord and ds being weighed, his first breastfeed etc. Ds2 i told dp to video when i was about to push him out but MW wouldnt let us. maybe its a superstitious thing i dont know but i have him everything else. Its lovely. i watch it about once a month. i honestly think i would have forgotten loads of it if i didnt have it on vid. id highly recommend anyone to do it. it is precious to me and dp :)

[Bunbaker]

It isn't something I would have wanted. Photos of my baby after she had arrived - yes. Photos/videos of her making her arrival in the world - no way. I wouldn't want anyone else to watch it so what would be the point?

[culturevulture]

I have got some amazing photos of my dd's delivery by c section taken by the anaesthetic nurse. She got right in there and I love the shots although they are quite graphic.

[Sparklies]

I wasn't allowed to have the actual surgery for my ELCS videoed, but DH took some fairly non-gory (dripping bloody baby, you can't see the incision) photos of DC3 being pulled out and then we have video from there.

So wish I'd had similar with my first two - we have a few snaps of DC2 after she's been cleaned (EMCS) but that is it. And wish I could have taken the photos/video myself as I'm also a photographer, but DH did a reasonable job considering!

I have a hopeless memory and seeing the photos/video brings it all back.

I'd actually have been fine with my natural, drug-free delivery of DC1 being filmed to be fair, but that's just me :)

I'd love to photograph a birth but the logistics (needing to be on call, no childcare for DCs with zero notice) mean it's impractical. I've had people ask about it though.

[PrincessScrumpy]

With dd1 I had vb and did not even take pictures in the delivery room afterwards at all. The thought horrified me. This time I'm having a cs for my twins and I really want lots of pics - not idea why (perhaps due to my lady parts not needing to feature). I'm fascinated by it - just hoping dh doesn't pass out while taking them!

[QTPie]

Photos from my ELCS on my profile - not sure that I would have been brave enough for a natural birth.... ;)

[DitaVonCheese]

Fab photos QT :)

[msbuggywinkle]

The photos of DD2's birth are really precious to me (taken by SelinaDoula ). They are all of me being supported by DP in labour, then the first breast feed and they're gorgeous.

Will be doing the same with DC3.

[Beatrixpotty]

I've got pictures taken by DH of all 3 of my c-sections,slightly blue looking surprised babies but taken head end so not too graphic,I'm pleased we've got them and the theatre staff were very positive about taking cameras/iPhones in although on the wall there were signs saying not to take pictures with staff members in!

[exoticfruits]

No way! I don't see the point- no one else wants to see them and the DC certainly won't!
Nice ones straight after the birth are fine.

[lilmamma]

I have one photo after the birth, which was a bit traumatic, and when i saw the photo i said whos that,think i have the wrong photos,and looked again it was me,all wild hair, looked like id been through a hedge backwards, dont know what i did to get my hair like that, still makes me smile today :)