Videoing the birth

[bez]

I really want to video the birth of my baby due in January. I love watching births on the telly so think it would be nice to watch my baby's birth and also to show the child later on how he or she came into the world.

Another reason why is that I know lots of people who say they soon found they couldn't remember anything about the birth so I think having a video recording would help me remember.

I wondered if anyone else had had their birth videoed.

The only person other than the midwife who will be at the birth is my husband and I'm not sure he will be able to film the birth and also support me and I'll probably want him to hold my hand at the bits I most want filming so it will be difficult to even get photos taken of the baby being born!

Also I wondered if the midwife would object as I know some people hate being filmed and whether it might put her off, although I'm hopefully having a home birth and have booked with an independent midwife

From a midwife's perspective I would say that you would need to discuss it with them to get their permission. I certainly would not (and have not) objected but there are others who believe that should something untoward happen, video would be used as evidence against them. They feel that they would be under pressure assisting at the delivery. Check it out with your midwife.

So who will video you?

Best of luck Bez.

Personally I couldn't/wouldn't/didn't do it as I can't imagine showing it to anyone (even the baby themselves), I am also VERY camera shy/ unphotogenic !

As another midwife, I also wouldn't and don't mind videos, although tbh it doesn't happen all that much. An alternative would be 'action' photographs. Your dh would only have to leave your side every few seconds to take pics. My dad is a photo processor, and has quite a few rolls of film to develop like this, and doesn't mind. Often people will ask if the processor minds first, though! You could do polaroids, though! As Mears says, it's important that your midwife feels comfortable with the idea. A couple I used set up a tripod for the video camera which meant no-one had to worry about being 'in charge' of it!

My birth video would have been an x-rated horror movie - all that incontinence, moaning and groaning, cursing and swearing. I'm far too camera shy to do anything like that, I don't like being photographed when I've made an effort with my appearance, never mind when I'm at my worst. (I was doubly incontinent when I had DS1, thanks to the epidural and my most vivid memory of DD's birth was wondering who on earth was making that noise like a cow moo-ing only to realise it was me!!! but I had a GA with DS2 so missed it all).

However, if you're in your own home, more relaxed surroundings with willing participants then why not. If you are comfortable with your body being seen by others it shouldn't be a problem.

I remember that Paula Yates had all her births videoed. Personally, couldn't do it and have to say I would not want to see a video of my mother giving birth to me (a little too much information).

Oooooh .... nooooo .... absolutely couldn't be filmed .... One photograph of me in the bath sucking on gas and air when in labour is enough to put anyone off their dinner for a week!!
Impressed with those who do though ....

Dh filmed the birth of ds.

He didn't film all the way through (it took rather a long time) but did a few bits every now and then along the lines of "it's now 1am and we're in the delivery room", "it's now 9am and we're on the pre-labour ward" etc. Then he filmed the actual delivery, probably helped by the fact that I'd had an epidural so wasn't in as much pain as I would have been otherwise. You can actually see my son coming out, which although it looks a bit like a butcher's shop is something I couldn't see from my end, and which I cherish. The only point when dh had to stop filming (or rather film the ceiling) was when the midwife asked him to clear the heated trolley (I'm sure that's not its proper name!). Otherwise he filmed the whole final stage. And he had flu, so did very well.

We asked the midwife at the time, but it wasn't a problem, although I suppose it might have been if there'd been an intervention. I would definitely have it filmed next time too.