Have you ever witnessed childbirth??

GermanGirl2007 · January 2011

My sister is 30 wks. pregnant, and she just asked me if I would be in the delivery room when my niece/nephew is born, and videotape the birth! I am super excited, but I am also nervous. What should I expect? How can I be helpful, but not in the way? FWIW, my brother-in-law will be in the room, but does NOT want to watch the baby coming out. Is this strange? Has anyone done this before? My sisters and I are very close, so I feel honored that she asked me to be a part of this.

ElizabethD · January 2011

Well, I've seen one video taped birth and to be perfectly blunt, it is seriously NASTY. A big huge purple oversized vagina shoves out a wet, sticky slithering baby.

I would never want to watch a video of it and while my husband was also not interested in "seeing down there" he pretty much had no choice as the dr said OK, you grab this leg while the nurse grabbed the other and my ankles were up by my head. lol

I firmly believe a woman can think what she wants, but what you should plan for is WHEN IT DOESN'T Go or feel the way she thought it would. That is more important... to plan for chaos and how you can react to that.

MelindaMG · January 2011

Yes. I watched two of my best friend's babies being born. I was actively involved for the second one and got to hold her leg and help her brace herself for pushing. I tried to be very attentive to what she wanted (encouraging, quiet, etc.) depending on the moment. I also made sure I had a bad of essentials (chap stick, hair ties, socks, etc.) in case she needed something.

I watched the baby come out. It was beautiful to me. I didn't think it was gross or anything.

My sister is having a baby in April and I really wish I was going to be there. I'm sad to miss out on the experience!

Kambria11 · January 2011

My daughter asked me to be in the room when my granddaughter was born. I was so honored, and I wouldn't of missed it for the world.
I know most women do not want their mom in the room, but we have that close relationship and it was never uncomfortable at all.

It ended up being a long time in the delivery room, since she wasn't progressing very fast. So I packed a little bag of essentials for both of us. I was just there to talk her through things, encourage her when it was time to push, and take pictures once she was born. Her Fiance was kind of in shock at one point and didn't know what to do or say, so I kind of just took over.

It was so special and I wouldn't have given the experience up for anything.

Janell's Nest · January 2011

Yes in fact...I helped my cousin deliver her daughter back in September. Its a lot different when you're watching then actually doing...you see a lot more. My DH didn't want to watch when DS was born, but he ended up changing his mind when it actually happened, and wasn't grossed out or weird about it at all. I think it was really fascinating, and an experience I'd do over and over and over again if anyone ever asked me to be in the room with them.

GermanGirl2007 · January 2011

Ok, this is very reassuring that most of you had a positive experience with it. I am going to prepare for the worst, like if for some reason I get queasy or whatever, but I will hope for the best. I think it will be an amazing thing to see, especially, since like someone said, you can't really see it in the same way when it is your own. I don't know if I will have the opportunity again, so I am excited and hope that all goes well.

wittyschaffy · January 2011

I don't think it is strange at all that the dad to be doesn't want to see that. My sister is 28 weeks and her Hubby is an "above the curtain" guy. He just doesn't want to see it. I think a lot of people get queasy about blood or fluids and props to them about being honest about it up front!

pkharrington · January 2011

I have not witnessed childbirth - but just wanted to add that your sister should definitely check with her provider and/or hospital ahead of time (if she hasn't already) about their videotaping policy.

At my last appointment, my midwife explicitly explained to us that we can take still pictures and video leading up to delivery and then again after - just not during the actual delivery. I believe it was due to liability issues.

I'm not saying that you still couldn't videotape for her and be there with her but just wanted to mention it so that she checks into it and there are no surprises when the time comes.

HTH!

littlemissflip · January 2011

Yes! I just had the most amazing experience photographing my friend's childbirth this past November. I was so honored that she asked me to be there, but, like you, I was a little nervous about what to expect. So many people told me horror stories about the stress and panic and chaos and mess and blah blah blah, but it was actually beautiful and amazing and calm. Of course, this was largely in part because 1) it was a relatively smooth birth, 2) it was my friend's second baby, 3) she's a midwife, so she was pretty calm about it anyway, 4) it was a water birth--very serene, and really not "gross" at all!, and 5) the birth was at a birth center, attended by midwives, and the atmosphere there was very peaceful and NOT stressful at all.

My friend had me attend one of her prenatal visits, and that was very helpful--both from a photography perspective (know the layout, lighting, etc.), but also just to get to know the midwives and feel comfortable in the space. It was very helpful that my friend made it clear to the midwives (and everyone else who would be attending) that my primary role there was as photographer... so that people weren't confused about my priorities.

I also asked my friend to let me know how else I could be of help... She said that I could help make sure she stayed hydrated, and help relieve other people who would be pushing on her back during contractions. I was happy to have specific tasks that I could help out with in addition to the photography.

She also said "just don't tell me to look at the camera and smile" haha

It was such an amazing experience, and I was so happy to be a part of it!

Mrs. Sarah&Micah · January 2011

I have not. I will be experiencing giving birth shortly though. DH has said over and over again that he does not want to watch the birth of our daughter. I am still thinking that he will change his mind once we are in the middle of it but if he ends up not watching, I will not be upset or mad. He gets grossed out about things easily and its just not something he wants to do. We are not video taping it and I will have the option of watching with a mirror and I highly doubt I will do that.

What a fun experience for you and your sister, Laura!

strength · January 2011

My mom had my baby sister at home, on the couch, with a midwife, when I was 10. It was one of the most incredible things I have ever seen. I wasn't scared or grossed out. I was fascinated. My mom had taken me to several sessions with her midwife which included thorough explanations and watching a video of a live birth.

What to expect totally depends on the person's labor. some people get pain meds and are kind groggy. others get nothing and scream their heads of from the pain. yes, there's some fluid and a little blood but i don't think it's gross at all (and i consider myself squeamish). i feel like it's just too fascinating to be gross.

if you're going to be the primary coach, you'll need to work closely with her in the coming weeks to find out what soothes her, what makes her comfortable, what kind of music she likes. bring thinks to keep her distracted, calm, laughing... whatever state of mind she'll be happiest in.

this is VERY exciting! enjoy it.

Have you ever witnessed childbirth??

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