Recording the C Section?

[AnotherOneBites202]

I am due to have a c section very soon.
Today at an appointment, the midwife asked if we'd like it to be recorded.
This wasn't anything I'd thought about or considered, or even knew was possible.
She said a member of staff will offer to record it on one of our phones if we want to.

Has anyone done this? I'm not entirely sure how I feel about it, or how I'd feel watching it etc. so I'm just curious if anyone has done this, and if so, how you felt about it?

I assume yours get to choose which part of it they covered, but in principle I think it's a nice idea.

I actually recorded during my section - my husband's first cuddle with our baby, and it's lovely being able to watch that back. Between myself, my husband, and the anethetist assistant, we took about 60 photos, and I love them. It was such an amazing and precious experience, and the pictures just show the absolute joy of the moment.

I wouldn't want anything videoed under the curtain though, and strict controls about when they could film (maybe only once baby is born etc, turn off if I'm getting upset etc).

I’m a midwife and the hospital I work in doesn’t allow for a c section to be recorded unless you have written consent in advance. This is to protect peoples privacy of course. I have never been present when a c section has been recorded, we do encourage parents to take photos of and with baby though.

Hmm I think if you had asked me before both of mine I would have said a big fat No. However now the DC are 9 and 6 I would love to watch something like that back (and they would love it!).

This kind of mentality definitely stems from my professional background but my immediate thought was that this could come in very handy in the (very unlikely) case of professional negligence or something going wrong with the birth etc. I would do it just in case. I'm aware this is a weird perspective.

Wow, I wish I'd been offered that. I was so curious and annoyed I couldn't see past the screen. Go for it. You don't have to watch it back any time soon (ever) if you don't want to. Just make sure you also get some still snaps too.

I would have loved it. We have pictures, i have a picture of DSs head out while his body was in. I love it. I had it specifically in my birth notes with instructions for how to use my phone. If you don't like the video you can just delete it. It's on your phone and no one else will ever see it.

this was not permitted at the hospital where i gave birth. they never stated it, but i got the feeling it was a mix of privacy for staff just trying to work (which i can understand) plus issues around legal cases i.e. it could be used to prove negligence or something later down the line.

we didn't ask btw, that point about video recordings not being permitted was volunteered when we asked if we could take photos. staff were lovely and took some lovely first photos for us which are very precious, just about 5-10 of them, but they are very dearly kept. perfect balance of recording a memory from when i was pretty out of it mentally but also they did it very sneakily for us so that i don't even remember the phone taking the pics - it is super appreciated taht we have those to keep now.

i am not sure i'd have wanted a recording, i don't like people being on their phones as i find it distracting when over done in social situations never mind during that! so i didn't mind the "ban".

@kw1091
I never even knew they would allow something like that, so I was really surprised when they offered!

I would definitely want photos. I thought they might offer to take one photo so was gobsmacked when they said to record it!

@Favvi
Ooh I hadn't even thought of that!

@ScarlettOHaraHamiltonKennedyButler
I wondered that. I thought "would I actually watch it? What would it be like to actually see it?"

But it is interesting the thought of the baby having the option of watching it when they're older..!!

My wasn’t recorded but one of the nurses offered to take photos on the day. Took me a while to feel comfortable looking at the more ‘gory’ ones but I’m really glad I have them now. She also got an amazing one of my first look at my son which I love!

I would have loved for mine to be recorded. I asked if I could watch and wasn't allowed so recording it would have been the next best thing. They did take photos for me, the first photo was where they were drying him off with the towel.

I would have loved for both mine to be recorded! I have photos but a video would have been amazing

My husband recorded mine but from sitting next to me so there isn't any gory bits.

I love it so much. Its so special and every few months I find myself watching it and reliving that day. I was a bit out of it so don't massively remember it and will forever be grateful I have the video.

Good luck and hope it all goes well :)

Mine wasn’t sadly, but they recorded my niece being born and I’ve watched that. It’s not as gory as you’d think (you only really see baby, not much of your insides!) and it’s amazing watching the baby come out. Then they lifted her up to show Mum and Dad and say “what have you got?” (They didn’t find out the sex) and the delight in my brother’s voice as he says “it’s a little girl!” is just gorgeous. I’d love to have that to look back on. I’d say do it, and if you’re nervous ask someone you trust to watch it first to let you know if they think you’ll be OK with it.

I was offered this. I just had my husband record from our side rather than the other side. It was a good thing too as my DD got stuck coming out so it was just her head whilst they tried to get her out 😂

Also, they blocked the camera as they tried to get her to breath properly so incase you’re worried about anything like that- they are on the ball with making sure they block it for you. I love the video now, I was completely out of it and in pain/arguing with the consultant and anesthetist when they were doing it (I was having another procedure at the same time) so I get to re live the first cry and that all over again. It’s lovely! X

We have some lovely photos of DD being lifted out. They don't allow full on recording but I had Live Photo turned on on my iPhone so have some lovely little snippets ☺️