I don't like watching birth videos

[Youngfrankenstein]

I don't know why but I started to watch a few today and just turned it off. Anyone else not like the vids?

[firewoman]

I can't say I'm with you on that. I really like watching birth videos. Maybe the ones you are watching are a bit too graphic. Mine last birth is on youtube and doesn't show a whole lot nether regions and birth goo. What is it in particular you aren't liking about them?

[TonyaW]

I tried watching some and I didn't like it too much.

[akimbo]

I'm working my way up to watching them. I couldn't even read the birth stories for a little while because it made me feel faint. I fainted when my HS biology class watched "The Miracle of Life". I'm getting a better handle on that lately, though, thanks to the stories posted here. I still don't know how I'll ever handle going through childbirth myself someday. I'm one of those that's terrified by needles, blood, etc.

[cocoanib]

Originally Posted by firewoman

I can't say I'm with you on that. I really like watching birth videos. Maybe the ones you are watching are a bit too graphic. Mine last birth is on youtube and doesn't show a whole lot nether regions and birth goo. What is it in particular you aren't liking about them?

I actually like the graphic ones and ones that show labor beginning up to the end. I like to see everything, i guess you could say.
Some I don't watch all the way for one reason or another, but most of them i find so inspirational.

[Youngfrankenstein]

It's not a queasiness or anything. I don't mind the graphic. I guess it just reminds me of that pain and time and I just don't want to watch that???

[lalemma]

If you'd like to watch birth videos that show less pain, you could try some Hypnobabies/Hypnobirthing clips. Some of those are really peaceful.

[HappyMommaBear]

Maybe it depends on your own birth experience and your perception of that, as well as the videos you are watching.
I personally don't like to watch hospital births at all. I can't stand, and don't watch, medicated births where the woman is on her back and feet up in the air.
But, on the other hand, I love to watch natural births. I love to watch a woman give birth on her bed or in a pool in her house, or anywhere else - where she is in control. I love to see different relaxation techniques, I love to see different combinations of husbands and children and midwives and doulas and friends joining in the celebration of the birth. To me, after having had a very traumatic experience ending with a cesarean, those are amazing. Especially now, planning an HBAC, they are very inspiring and encouraging.

[D'sMama]

I was really sensitive to them, especially if the women were very vocal. It freaked me out and made me uncomfortable. I had a vision of a nice, quiet, peaceful birth. Ironically, I found vocalizations very helpful and got REALLY loud!

I'm sensitive to images and videos in general, though - I can't watch horror movies, or even many dramas, so

(Not that a birth video is a horror film, but ykwim! )

[JennTheMomma]

I love watching birth videos. I normally start to tear up.

[Fujiko]

You know what's funny?

-Before my dd was born, I loved watching any type of birth video and was not at all freaked out or grossed out by any of them. I thought they were all awesome.

-I was induced with dd and while I didn't find the pain of labor overwhelming at all (no pain meds), she was malpositioned so after fruitless pushing I consented to a c-section. Surprisingly, I had no negative feelings regarding the c/s (ie no mental/emotional trauma) EXCEPT I couldn't watch any birth video that showed vaginal birth. If I avoided them, I was fine with my own birth, but when I would see one I would have these vaguely angry/depressed feelings for awhile. I got over this within dd's first year.

-When I found out I was pregnant again earlier this summer, I felt drawn to watching birth videos again, and now when I see the ones that show EVERYTHING "down there", especially if the mom is vocalizing, it freaks me out! I don't know why, because I've always been fearless when it comes to birthing. I'm not afraid to VBAC. But geez, I felt like a teenager with eyes the size of dinner plates and my jaw in my lap.