From: gelman@imasun.lbl.gov (Frida Gelman)
Newsgroups: misc.kids
Subject: Re: "Missing out" (was. re:  Justin...)
Date: 4 Sep 92 15:35:53 GMT
Reply-To: gelman@imasun.lbl.gov (Frida Gelman)
Organization: Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory
NNTP-Posting-Host: 128.3.128.44

In article <52903@dime.cs.umass.edu> padgett@inyo.caltech.edu (Deborah Padgett) writes:
>
>(Responding to the question of whether anyone videotapes their births)

	We videotaped both kids births. The first one was taped with the
camera on the tripod running pretty much the whole time we were at the
hospital (around 2 hours) with my hubby occasionaly taking it off the
tripod and walking around, taking closeups, etc. The birth itself was
filmed at an angle that made it obvious what was going on but was very
modest. The tape would be rated PG if released. Only me, hubby, the birthday
boy and my mom ever saw the tape. We all thought it was way, way too
long and boring (exept for the end). So, having learned....

	On to the second birth. This time the camera was pretty much 
hand held and filming was done in short (under 2 min pieces) exept
for the birth itself which was filmed from the tripode because hubby
was helping to catch the baby. Since I started pushing in the squating
position and didn't get on the bed untill the baby's head has crowned,
we didn't realize the angle of the camera. The end result looks like
one of those birth films they show in Lamaze classes. Definetely an
X rating.

	Favorite exerpts: 
	1. A shot of me standing and talking the the
nurse about the probable sex of the baby. There is a clock visible
behind my head. Looking at it now I know that the baby will be born
in less than 20 minutes. I appear to be perfectly fine, smiling,
talkative. When asked by hubby how I'm feeling I say:"great!".
Hooray for the painless labor!!!
	2. The birth itself. My hubby just loved running the tape
back and forth. It looks like the doc and hubby catch the baby and
then just throw it back in. This particular episode is enjoyed much
more by hubby than myself. I'm too embarased.
	3. Immediately after the birth before placenta is delivered.
Doc is holding the newborn, dad is cutting the cord, I'm filming.
Its a weird shot because I'm on my back and the lights are behind
the participants, so it looks like a scene from one of those early
Renissance religious paintings. Very moving.

	General comments: Most women when giving birth do not care
one way or the other whether they are being filmed. Viewing the end
product is another matter all together. I'm not sure I would even
want to see those if my labor was as difficult/bloody/prolonged as
some. However, these images can never be duplicated, so if you even
suspect that you might some day like to see your son/daughter being
born, by all means go ahead. Tips: tripod or a friend is a great
idea since it frees dad for handholding and also allows him to be
in the pictures. Also, do not forget to ask medical personal before
hand if they mind being film. Most do not.
	
	I would not show the tapes to anyone but the immediate family
and we only see them once a year on respective B-days but I'm glad
we have them. BTW, I'm not a very modest or private person in general,
I walk around in the nude, go to topless beaches, etc. so I might
have been less bothered by filming than some.

					Frida.


--
Frida Gelman 
All opinions are those of the author
gelman@imasun.lbl.gov