Labor and delivery photos

Mztwilson

Since we are all talking about a newborn photoshoot what do you think of having your labor and delivery photographed? As a mom of 3 working on 4 I really want to capture every moment of my last labor and delivery. These are photos for just myself so it's not something I'm posting all over Facebook and no vajayjay shots. Any other moms considering this?

curlylocks3

Nope, there will be enough of a circus in there already that we don't need to add another person to the room. And even if I were interested, its not allowed at my hospital. 

LKHoffa

I've seen 2 of these (both on Facebook, which I personally think is tacky) and in both circumstances, the mother of the pregnant woman had to wait in the waiting room so the photographer could be in the delivery room. (Sure, maybe she wasn't welcome, but knowing both of the girls who gave birth, I doubt that!)

I thought it was ridiculous to pick a photographer over a family member who would have had the experience of a lifetime to be there for the birth of her grandson/granddaughter. But, as I said in UO Thursday, I often think that people spend too much time worrying about the "perfect photos" and less time enjoying the moment.

Having said ALL of that, if YOU really want them, then you go girl!! It's your choice, and I think you should have whatever YOU want!! (But you asked so I answered!)

Kinipela7

No thanks.  All I want is a picture of the 3 of us after she is all cleaned off and I am no longer showing my stuff to everyone.  I'd like to capture a picture of DH's face when he first sees her, but I doubt we will be able to get it.

tbmadeamistake

I specifically asked my doula NOT to take photos, as that was part of her "package".  She did anyway, while I was too busy, you know, pushing out a kid, for me to really notice.  She then gave me a nice little album with the photos printed, as well as a CD of the images.  I've looked a them once.  I don't like them.  I like the sentiment, but they are not my style and I didn't want them for a reason.  I want to remember that time my way, not the way I think I look in the photos.  I would never choose to have a photographer come in for that.  If DH and I want pictures of ourselves with our new baby, it will be after he's cleaned up, after I'm cleaned up, and when we are all comfy again...then we'll ask a nurse to take a family picture with one of our phones.  Done.

curlylocks3

LKHoffa said:

I've seen 2 of these (both on Facebook, which I personally think is tacky) and in both circumstances, the mother of the pregnant woman had to wait in the waiting room so the photographer could be in the delivery room. (Sure, maybe she wasn't welcome, but knowing both of the girls who gave birth, I doubt that!)

I thought it was ridiculous to pick a photographer over a family member who would have had the experience of a lifetime to be there for the birth of her grandson/granddaughter. But, as I said in UO Thursday, I often think that people spend too much time worrying about the "perfect photos" and less time enjoying the moment.

Having said ALL of that, if YOU really want them, then you go girl!! It's your choice, and I think you should have whatever YOU want!! (But you asked so I answered!)

I should have said this on UO, but I care very little about anyone else's experience in the delivery room beside my husband's. And even his is secondary to mine. 

Mztwilson

@lkhoffa it would be my sister taking the pics. We are twins so I'm very very close to her. She's been trying to get pregnant and I want her to be able to experience labor and delivery first hand at the same time capturing the moment. I wouldn't hire a random photographer. If my sister wasn't willing to do them then I wouldn't have them done.

flerlgirl

Nope. Last time DH took a picture of my face and then a picture of DS when they were working on him and that was it! I remember it vividly without the pictures

rainbowdashh

I was very adamant about not having any pictures taken until both my daughter and I were cleaned up. I sort of regret it now. While I wouldn't blast those pictures all over social media, the few that my husband took while I wasn't paying attention are really special to me. I don't think I would ever pay anyone to take pictures because I'm cheap, but I'm going to ask my husband to take pictures this time in the hopes he gets more instead of just three or four he sneakily captured.

And I agree with curls, my birth experience is my own. I don't care if I hurt anyone's feelings by allowing or not allowing them in the room. If I wanted a photographer and not my mom, she would have to deal because it's not about her.

ETA: I'm going to ask him to take more pictures of our first moments together. I'm not really interested in labor pics because as my husband so eloquently put it during my first labor, I looked like a praying mantis.

Mztwilson

I'm more into those first moment then the labor photos. And like I said these photos would be just for me and dh not to put all over fb.

rainbowdashh

Mztwilson said:

I'm more into those first moment then the labor photos. And like I said these photos would be just for me and dh not to put all over fb.

I would do it then! Especially if it's your last. Those moments are precious and if you want them captured, go for it.

Pepper6

I'm not very photogenic on a good day, let alone while I'm in pain and pushing a child out of my vagina, so so...we're not doing pictures.  I loved seeing the ones on yesterday's thread, but it's just not for me. 

lynnblack

I am debating using my Google Glass part of me would love to capture it first hand the other part is really unsure.

WoodsSeltzer09

Double check with the hospital you will deliver at before booking the photographer - mine will not alow any photography till it  is determined mom and baby are okay.

It's really not my style - i've seen some beautiful ones i have a friend who does them for people. But really it's not something i'd spend money on because noone would ever see them but me and DH .

MissBHaven1024

With this being our last baby, we plan on doing L&B photography this time. I think it will be a great way to capture the candid moments during labor that are often missed.

amwangel

I had no interest in labor photos. At all. But then the L&D nurse picked up my camera and asked if we wanted her to take a few photos. I was too out of it to really answer, but looking back at those photos and all the hard work it took to get my little son into the world is something I really treasure. Especially the photo where we first held our son. There's no way my husband could've taken the photos and there's no way I would have thought to hire a photographer, but I am so glad to have them!

(Here they are by the way: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ashleymarie6/sets/72157624864500201/)

crossfitkiwi

Nope nope and nope.

I also want to wait till the dust settles before taking any photos to share with family and/or facebook. Fortunately DH isn't snap happy with the camera phone.

ashquack

Def not my style...I am sure these moments will be scared into my memory so pictures won't be necessary... But all about personal choice so if you're into it do it:)

PinkKEL9

No thanks. My mom will be in there with me and she has a really nice Nikon. I'm sure she will take pics of the baby and the 3 of us after she is born, but none during the process!!

FutureMrsW9

Not a chance.  Afterward, yes, but certainly not during labor.

coffee89

I told DH he can take any pic he wants as long as my vagina isn't in them. But honestly, is going to be the only one in the room and I don't really want labor pics so I think I'll be only getting shots of everyone after the fact.

lefriday

I love modgblog dot com. She had her own pics edited by a pro. It got the nice results without a stranger in the room. She has them posted and I love the idea.

cMichelle0423

I considered this with my first but changed my mind the night I went into labor. My friend that I've known since elementary school was going to be my photographer (she does do photography professionally) so as a favor to me and for her portfolio, I was supposed to call her when I went to the hospital. As soon as the hard core contractions settled in, I decided I didn't want her there. As much as I wish I would have gotten some pictures of everything, I honestly didn't feel comfortable having someone else there. I think if you feel comfortable with it then go for it. I don't think you'll truly know how you feel about it until the moment comes though!

MrsP419

If I did not have to birth in an OR, I would have someone come in for the end of the delivery.  My little sister took photos immediately after DS came out (so no hooha shots, but he still had vernix on him and we were still in a tub), and I treasure them so much.  I am thinking of inviting a photographer friend to the waiting room with the twins so she can come in and get good photos right after they come out, especially if I end up in recovery and not able to see everything.  I have seen extremely tasteful and beautiful birth photography done.

babybean82

I am having the same issue, I just can't decide what I want. Originally I didn't want anyone but me and DH there and I was so sure about that and made it really clear to MIL that I don't want her or anyone else in there. But then I saw a friends photos, there were none of the gross stuff but some wonderful pictures of her H seeing his son for the first time and wiping away tears and pictures of them holding their baby for the first time etc.... made me start thinking how cool those would be to have.

But then someone other than me and DH would have to be in the room and I still don't know that I want that.... and MIL would throw a fit because I sure as hell don't want her in there but I am considering inviting a photographer in.

ksyknelvr73

I actually would do them...one of my best friends did them and showed them to me privately and they were so beautiful. She was allowed to have quite a few people in the room with her, so no one missed out either. She used a professional photographer and no shots included the super gross stuff, mostly focused on people's reactions and faces and just the experience. I thought they turned out so awesome. For the birth of DS, it was just myself and DH and the medical staff so DH was in charge of taking pictures and he got my vagina in like every single picture. Yeah...so....

chloephoebecali

Dh took photos after my babies came out and I love them. I even had him take a pic of the placenta because I thought it would be interesting, and it was. I love the shots of my kids when they first come out with umbilical cord and all. I also love the shots of me and Dh holding them for the first time. They were never meant for fb so I don't really care how not perfect we look. They also did not take away from the moment since there are only a few.

wtfisup

I'd love to have them, but it's too pricey. For all the folks saying you'll cherish the memory, just keep in mind that memory is a really unstable thing. Not only is it initially inaccurate, but they change over time. And you always think your present memory is the one you had initially. There are some really accessible articles on the topic. Images are a very real, communicable truth. I'd love to have them for when I'm old.

wtfisup

danielle4348 said:

@amwangel, love your pics, you look great. Those are the type I would like as well, nothing graphic, just the special moments.

To be fair, I've seen tons of labor photos and few vaginas. Unless your photographer is an OB or creep, I don't think there's any focus there. Angles can so wonders. You have thighs and belly blocking it.

amwangel

wtfisup said:

I'd love to have them, but it's too pricey. For all the folks saying you'll cherish the memory, just keep in mind that memory is a really unstable thing. Not only is it initially inaccurate, but they change over time. And you always think your present memory is the one you had initially. There are some really accessible articles on the topic. Images are a very real, communicable truth. I'd love to have them for when I'm old.

Yes! So so true. My son is now 3.5 years old and I would have little memory without photos, honestly. I wouldn't remember quite how shiny his eyes were or how calm he was or how amazed I felt getting to see him for the first time. Photos really bring all that back for me. As much as I thought everything would be burned into my memory, the memories fade way too quickly. (see also: they grow up so fast. Wah.)

amwangel

danielle4348 said:

@amwangel, love your pics, you look great. Those are the type I would like as well, nothing graphic, just the special moments.

Heh. Thanks. I feel like I look like a hot mess, but I love remembering how awesome my husband was, too. It was really special and intimate and I'm so thankful that nurse captured it for us!

temursgirl

@amwangel Your pics have changed my mind!  They're not scary, but very special, you look good, and they just show so much love.

DH loves taking photos and I was prepared to tell him not to.  Now I'm thinking I'll just tell him absolutely no FB.