According to a search of YouTube earlier today, there are several thousand videos posted on the subject of childbirth – many of them videos moms have chosen to post of themselves in the throws of labor and delivery. These are often highly graphic videos filled with smiles, tears – and a lot of screaming and cussing.
I can actually remember the days when cameras weren’t even permitted in a delivery room during birth – when the very notion of filming this most private of activities was inconceivable. Now, capturing the experience is the norm, while posting it online for all to see may be the next one.
An article in Thursday’s New York Times explored this phenomenon. It found that many moms watch birth videos on YouTube to prepare themselves for the reality of the experience – and that moms who post videos of birthing their own babies do it to help other moms-to-be.
Mothers, what do you think – wonderful idea, or too much information? Have you watched YouTube birthing videos? Have you, or would you, post one of yourself giving birth?
There’s no doubting that childbirth is one of the most amazing experiences you’ll ever have in your life, but for me, it’s also one of the most incredibly private. There are certain parts of my body that are only meant for the eyes of my husband and OB. With that said, I watched a LOT of youtube deliveries before I had my last child. I actually used the videos to research home child birth and water births. I may even put a few of them on my favorites for when my daughter’s are of dating age, it will be the last image the girls and their dates will have before leaving our house for an evening alone.
LOVE the pregnancy prevention idea — now THAT’s original! Thanks for your comment, Cat.
I posted mine on youtube just for that reason. I was REALLY curious about childbirth and it helped me to look up different options like “water birthing”. I think it is a great way to “pay it forward” so to speak when it comes to helping other moms.
Thanks, Andrea. Great to get your thoughts on this.