to think that one born every minute live is pretty unethical

[carriedaxmaspudding]

i dont really agree with it being on live.

Channel 4 I think...

Right, so if I don't watch channel 4 or any of it's offshoots, I'll be ok?

I agree the hospital is responsible for granting permissions.

The idea that the onus is on a labouring woman to tell a crew not to film is just vile.

I've already commented on the TV section - I think this programme is just ghastly, tasteless voyeuristic TV at its worst. To reduce childbirth to 'entertainment' is just beyond words.

I personally don't understand why anyone would want to watch it, pre-recored or not.

I've watched births on YouTube and found them very useful prior to DD's birth. I understand why people want to watch births.

However, I still don't understand this kind of TV show.

I think it's nice to watch calm, peaceful, natural home or water births.

And showing an ELCS is surely not much different from showing other major surgery?

What I dont like seeing are the horrid, over-medicalised typical hospital births with needles, internals, screaming etc.

The 'live' births will only be multiparous women, who're ultra low risk and have had easy other births.

I would actually find it reassuring to have a live film crew there. A lot of horror stories are due to medical malpractice rather than birth itself, and there's definately less chance of that with video evidence.

children oneborn? Did you have twins?

I loved the series of this - I was pregnant with my second baby and found it so uplifting and strangely comforting too. I didn't think it was voyeuristic at all. As for people moaning about "is this entertainment in this day and age" etc, well - I'd rather watch a newborn's first minutes than the Queen's speech or Delboy falling through a bar for the gazillionth time.

I'm due tomorrow and I'm going to the PAH. I've been harassed non stop since I was about 30 weeks about being on this programme and it has pissed me off no end. At every single antenatal appointment the midwife has asked me about it. I was sent a letter, asked about it at my scan, and the worst of all was when I waiting with my DH to go to my 36 week MW appointment and a researcher for the show approached me to shove it down my throat for the millionth time. I told her right away that I didn't want to be on the show but she just kept on talking about it, until thankfully I was saved by the midwife.

To be honest the prospect of going to hospital and perhaps bumping into a tv crew has really set me on edge. Surely I should be able to go the hospital knowing no matter what state I'm in - crying, leaking waters, scared - I won't have to worry about being on national tv? I don't know how it's all going to work and whether I can avoid being shown - I mean if it's live and I turn up in the hallway what happens then? Luckily nothing seems to be happening at the moment so I'm sure I won't actually be in tonight or tomorrow but it just makes me quite angry that I'm actually wishing to go overdue so I don't have to deal with this.

That sounds dreadful, Writerofdreams - I'm sorry. FWIW, they can't so much as show even your face on telly without your written consent, as far as I understand it, so you won't be accidentally on there even if you do go into labour this eve.

I know it's very unlikely that I'll be filmed without my consent, the issue is more that I even have to worry about it. I watched the series and I really liked it, I felt it helped me prepare for the birth, I just think the whole idea of doing it live is absolutely daft and not fair on people like me who don't want to be involved.

Considering how seriously the NHS (IME) takes confidentiality and consent I am gobsmacked that a hospital has allowed film crews inside, particularly for a 'live' program.

I'm also pretty surprised that any HCP with a registration to protect agrees to be filmed - apart from the potential for footage to be used against you, I find it difficult to believe that having a film crew hanging around wouldn't be a distraction in an emergency situation. I certainly don't fancy having to convince a court of that. Although I'm sure if the worst happened the individual would be backed up by their hospital

So funny they are desperately trying to fill the time by showing an empty room. I'm sure the fear of being filmed has delayed the labours of everyone who's due.

I know Bear, I did get a bit of malicious glee from how shit it was. But what could they expect? Did they really think labouring mothers would want to be filmed live???

I was in labour with dd in 2006 when they were filming a live birth programme for channel five at the Queen's Medical Centre.

I can't understand how it is entertaining in the slightest and repeatedly less than politely declined to take part.

I'm more than capable of embarassing myself on a daily basis without pooing on live television