[Submitted Question]

I always thought it very strange that people tape their baby's birth. To my surprise my fiance has been talking about borrowing a video camera! I don't really care for the idea, but maybe I would regret if we didn't have a tape? Obviously we can't do a retake. Anyway, I am just wondering how others feel about this.

[WombToBloom]

I wasn’t a big fan of the idea either. My husband insisted on bringing the camera. So, I gave him some strict rules. No crotch shots. No active labor or pushing shots. He agreed. I was induced so we had some time to kill at the hospital while my contractions got ramped up. He spent a lot of time videotaping me lying in bed. He taped the monitors which showed my contractions and the baby’s heart rate. He taped the clock to show the passage of time. He talked to me on camera about what I was feeling.

When the contractions go worse and I started to push, he turned the camera off. Partly because of I asked him to but largely because you can’t truly participate in an event if you’re videotaping it. He needed to be completely present for the birth. I know that he’s glad that he did it this way. As soon as the baby was out, he turned the camera back on. From the vantage point of my head. No crotch shots. It turned out to be a lovely video that we enjoy watching and sharing with our son who is now seven.

Check with your hospital about their rules regarding videotaping. Many hospitals and doctors do not even allow video during the actual birth itself for liability reasons.

[blindgren]

Hi,
With my first birth, my husband was describing my daughters birth in detail and frankly i was jealous that I couldn't watch or see anythhing over my big belly with my eyes closed. So, when I was pregnant the second time, I wanted a video of the birth (and I do mean a crotch shot...lol). I wanted to witness it from my husbands view point. I am so glad I did! We put the camera on a tripod and let it run, so my husband did not have to worry about manning it. Now I have a permament copy of my daughter's birth. I tell couples all the time, that you can delete it afterwards, edit, crop, etc. but you can never have those shots again.
Just my point of view.

[Revenda]

We also wanted a video of our children's births. And yes, mine leave nothing to the imagination. Birth is amazing and I wanted to see it. But like the above poster, you can't see much with your eyes pinched shut!

[laboroflovedoula]

I still like photography over video as video is "too real" sometimes. I do think after the birth when the parents are first meeting their baby it is fantastic to video. I think the partner should not be viewing birth behind the lense of the camera though- he or she needs to be involved without the camera in the way. so have someone else there as the photographer- like your doula!

Most hospitals in our area are not allowing videotape for the birth now- litigation and the use of the video later in court has caused this to happen.

[Doula Jenny]

I had a professional photographer at my births and she was AMAZING! like an invisible fly on the wall when she was taping or snapping photos. I wanted every detail from laboring in the tub to the crowning of his head. I am so glad I did because, the next day it felt like It had gone by so fast I couldn't really remember the details plus I wanted to see my son's birth like everyone else had. 2 weeks after my son was born our photographer came back to our house with a finished product and it was BEAUTIFUL. there was music. video of me laboring in the tub and my 2 year old was pouring water on my belly there was photos of what other people were doing in the house. and of course there was the birth. now I can never forget it. I have it in a nice little DVD and photo album set. it was honestly the best $250 I have ever spent.
I'm going to share a few of the more "modest" photos.

[Doula Jenny]

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I'm posting the other 4 in another reply.

[Doula Jenny]

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here are the other four these are not the best ones but, I don't wanna be naked on the web lol

[journeybirth]

I say I would want labor shots, but I know me and I would have yelled at them to turn the *(&#$ camera off. I have some great pictures my doula took after Caroline's birth you can see them at
amymaew - A Public Gallery, Powered by PhotoWorks.com

[alittleinsight]

Originally Posted by WombToBloom

I always thought it very strange that people tape their baby's birth. To my surprise my fiance has been talking about borrowing a video camera! I don't really care for the idea, but maybe I would regret if we didn't have a tape? Obviously we can't do a retake. Anyway, I am just wondering how others feel about this.

My wife and I did the video thing and it was great. Like you said this is a once in a life time WONDER! Do it you wont regret it.