Ban on birth photos irks Md. moms-to-be

[The Straight Story]

Ban on birth photos irks Md. moms-to-be

HAGERSTOWN, Md. - Some expectant parents in western Maryland are objecting to a new policy that bans birth photography at the Hagerstown hospital.

The change took effect Nov. 1, prohibiting video, film or still photography until five minutes after birth.

Meritus Medical Center spokeswoman Jody Bishop says the policy protects patient privacy and reduces potential staff distractions.

But Cascade resident Laurie Shifler and her husband Michael say they want to photograph the birth of their eighth child, just as they have the first seven.

The U.S. Office for Civil Rights says birth photography by a family member or friend doesn't violate privacy laws, but that some hospitals prohibit it out of a fear of lawsuits.

http://www.wtop.com/?nid=25&sid=2213818

[Vickers]

1. "they want to photograph the birth of their eighth child, just as they have the first seven"

You know, why break a fine family tradition like that one?

:sarcasm:

[AnneD]

What happened to the rule....

that most pics were of the first child, fewer of the second and almost none after the third child. Honestly. :eyes:

Edited to add that I threatened to get out of the stirrups and personally strangle my hubby if he took any photos in the delivery room. I don't think placenta and mucous make for a fond memory to reminisce over. As a Nurse, I would always be shocked at the family that flocked the hospital and expected to get into the delivery room. We needed to put stadium seating to accommodate these nosy busy bodies. My Mom was there to insure that we had some privacy.

[left coaster]

3. ".. the birth of their eighth child" ..really?

It's a UTERUS, madam..NOT a clown car! :eyes:

[valerief]

6. Bwahahahaha!

:rofl:

[Arkansas Granny]

2. When my grandsons were born the hospital allowed no photos during the birth

or any other medical procedure. I assumed it was a liability issue for the hospital.

[guitar man]

4. Eighth child?

Better get the high speed lens out for that one! :D :crazy:

[proud2BlibKansan]

5. They should be able to take the pictures they want to take

But if anyone had taken delivery room pictures when I had my babies, I would have thrown something at them.

[left coaster]

8. "They should be able to take the pictures they want to take"

I respectfully disagree with you here.. as a medical professional, I would like to point out that the well being of the mother and child is paramount, and no distractions should get in the way of any medical staff trying to ensure just that.. this is, I should think, a moral, professional, and legal responsibility..

If a family is not satisfied with waiting a mere five minutes before they begin filming/snapping photos, then perhaps they should consider a home delivery.

[proud2BlibKansan]

10. I yield to your professional opinion

Makes sense. :)

[remember2000forever]

7. Bill Cosby had the funniest dialog about this....

He said that when his kids were naughty, he would play their birth tapes backwards....and tell them "That's What Mom And I Are Gonna Do To You"

[cbdo2007]

9. So what - if it's that important to them, have them get a midwife and do it at home.

Why does the hospital have to cater to their stupid birth fascination??? They don't.

On another note, who really wants to play over and over again the ACTUAL BIRTH?!?! Gross. My wife had a baby 6 months ago and the last thing I wanted to see then or now was the baby actually coming out. I don't need to see that. If I did, I'd hire a midwife and do it at home. That's why the doc and nurses are there paying attention and watching, is so I don't have to. Gross. I mean, it was beautiful and I actually did see bits and pieces...but we don't need picture or videos of it actually happening. The best picture is 15 seconds after the baby is fully out and we get to see her for the first time as a baby, not with just two arms sticking out or whatever.

[pnwmom]

12. "not with just two arms sticking out or whatever"

Yes, you DID avert your eyes at the critical moment, didn't you?

:rofl:

[cbdo2007]

13. haha, maybe....I dont' really remember what I saw

but it was gross. I think I saw maybe the head half way out and then I couldn't look down there again. Luckily the pushing part only lasted about 15 seconds, so daughter was out in no time and within a minute the nurses were yelling at me for not taking any pictures yet. :)

[pnwmom]

16. I understand where you're coming from because as the mother

I didn't want to view MYSELF in the mirror. Somehow, I thought that would make it hurt more!

(And if I saw a pair of little hands coming out first, I would probably have had a heart attack. And my doctor might have, too.)

;)

[elleng]

11. 'reduces potential staff distractions' is best justification for this.

Hospital should have discussed this in private with the family, and if the family took this public, its their problem, imo.

[aikoaiko]

14. I thought a lot of hospitals already forbid video because the tapes were used in malpractice suits.

I'm skeptical about the distraction claim. Surgeons in teaching hospitals are tapes and observed all the time with little regard for any distractions.

[jberryhill]

15. By professionals who know what they are doing

...and not by dad elbowing his way to get a good angle.

Someone looking through a viewfinder is not watching where they are walking.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

17. This rule is about one thing -

and one thing only: potential medical malpractie suits.

Doc don't want videotaped eveidence of them screwing up some poor kid as they exit Mom. I watched one tape where a Dr. broke a baby's shoulder in removing it from Mom -- the hospital tried to play it off like it had nothing to do with the delivery.

The videotape evidence showed otherwise.

Patient 1. Doctor 0.