Your baby's birth is a huge moment in your life, and making a childbirth video can be a great way to remember it. Learn whether making this type of video is the right choice for you and your family.
Advantages of Making a Childbirth Video
There are a few reasons you may want to consider recording a video of your birth experience. Keep these in mind as you decide.
Preserve This Important Memory
Just as watching your wedding video can bring back memories of that special day, a video of your baby's birth can help you remember the details of this life-changing event. A video lets you record little things like the music you chose to play or the way you looked at one another during the delivery. Studies of pregnant and post-partum women also indicate that many report memory difficulties, and a video can help you remember this important day.
See Your Baby's Birth in a New Way
During the birth, you and your partner will be very focused on the sensations, joys, and challenges you are experiencing in the moment, and that's how it should be. However, that kind of focus means you miss some of the other things going on around you. A video can help you see the "big picture" of your baby's birth from a more objective perspective.
Share the Experience With Those Who Can't Be There
Sometimes, important family members live too far away to be present for the birth. Alternatively, you may not want a crowd present at the delivery, even if you want all your loved ones to share in your joy. Making a video lets you share the experience with everyone who is important to you.
Offer a New Perspective to Other Moms
A quick glance at YouTube will show you how many women share their childbirth videos online. You can find videos of teens giving birth, water births, home births, and ordinary hospital births. This can be very helpful to moms-to-be who don't know what to expect. Sharing a video online isn't for everyone, but some women find it's a way to give back and allow others to share in the joy.
Disadvantages of Making a Video of Your Baby's Birth
A personal childbirth video isn't for everyone. Before you decide, it's important to understand some of the possible disadvantages.
You Will Sacrifice Privacy
Having a video camera in the room means letting go of some of your personal privacy. Of course, having a baby necessitates giving up privacy anyway, but it doesn't mean giving it up every time someone watches the video. You'll have to decide how comfortable you are with your most private parts and emotions being recorded for posterity. For some women, this is a deal-breaker.
It Adds Complication
You've made a birth plan, but most moms-to-be also realize things can change in the moment. In the midst of a contraction, you may decide you don't want music playing or the scent of that candle is making you sick. The same can be true of the getting your birth on video. It can be one more thing to deal with while you're busy bringing a new life into the world.
Some Hospitals and Doctors Don't Allow It
Many hospitals have a policy prohibiting video recording during labor and delivery, especially if the video includes hospital staff. If you are giving birth at a hospital, check first to see if they will allow you to make a video. If you're having your baby at home, you don't have to worry about this rule.
The Best Choice for You
Weighing the pros and cons can help you decide whether making a childbirth video is the right choice for you and your family. Remember, if you decide against a video, there are lots of other ways to remember this special day, including birth photography, scrapbooks about your baby, and journals. No matter what you decide, it will be the best choice for you.
