Videotapping your UC

[Tnmommi]

I'm going to tape part of my UC and also take photographs (well my friend will be doing that).Has anyone else done this?
Did you post it online...if you did,did you regret doing so?
Do you share it with whoever wants to see it..(friends online).
I really want to for the simple fact to just have it...and also to share it online seeing as I have seen very few UC videos and the ones I have seen aren't that great of quality.

[kittywitty]

I have mine, but not online. I thought about it but honestly didn't want to hear any negative "You could have killed your baby" comments or anything. I did share pictures-the more graphic ones for people I knew better in a private forum.

[Tnmommi]

Originally Posted by kittywitty

I have mine, but not online. I thought about it but honestly didn't want to hear any negative "You could have killed your baby" comments or anything. I did share pictures-the more graphic ones for people I knew better in a private forum.

True,I think I'd eventually get annoyed with those types of comments...although there is always the delete button...or the option to disable comments.I think any route one takes to giving birth there is someone out there who isn't going to agree 100%.I'm thinking the benefits to expecting mothers looking to take the UC route far outweighs all the negative comments I would get.

[gossamerwindweb]

We had a friend videotape ours. I did allow someone to put it online. I haven't had any 'you could have killed your baby' comments, just comments on how gross and fat I am and how could I video tape that? Oh, and someone said she felt bad for my older daughter that she had to see that (my fat jiggling). At first I wanted to take it down, but then I realized that (1) we never see fat women having good births because THEY DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO BE MEAN TO THEM ABOUT BEING FAT... but I know there are other fat UCers. I have met them! They just won't put their videos out. (2) there is a lot of myths about birth, a huge one to me is that fat women will need c-sections, don't have enough energy to go through natural labor and pushing, etc. At this point we have decided to make our own website with my videos of both my first, hospital birth (where I was thinner, but had pit, narcs, and a suction cup on my daughter's head, and I tore from how fast she eventually shot out) and our UC (where I was definitely fatter, but went through an incredibly long and difficult labor at home and had a healthy boy easily without any tears)... I guess my point is that someone needs to share their UC stories, pics, videos online. Does it have to be you? No. But the more of us who do, the more other people will see that UC can be safe and healthy and people of all body types and abilities can do it.

[Tnmommi]

Originally Posted by gossamerwindweb

We had a friend videotape ours. I did allow someone to put it online. I haven't had any 'you could have killed your baby' comments, just comments on how gross and fat I am and how could I video tape that? Oh, and someone said she felt bad for my older daughter that she had to see that (my fat jiggling). At first I wanted to take it down, but then I realized that (1) we never see fat women having good births because THEY DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO BE MEAN TO THEM ABOUT BEING FAT... but I know there are other fat UCers. I have met them! They just won't put their videos out. (2) there is a lot of myths about birth, a huge one to me is that fat women will need c-sections, don't have enough energy to go through natural labor and pushing, etc. At this point we have decided to make our own website with my videos of both my first, hospital birth (where I was thinner, but had pit, narcs, and a suction cup on my daughter's head, and I tore from how fast she eventually shot out) and our UC (where I was definitely fatter, but went through an incredibly long and difficult labor at home and had a healthy boy easily without any tears)... I guess my point is that someone needs to share their UC stories, pics, videos online. Does it have to be you? No. But the more of us who do, the more other people will see that UC can be safe and healthy and people of all body types and abilities can do it.

I love everything you just said....and your right I don't think I've seen any UC videos with overweight women in them. I'm not big big but I'm not skinny either.Right now at 21 weeks(almost 22weeks) 5'7 I'm 197 (prolly 200+) since my last appointment on the 25th.I've always viewed my body as "ugly",but when I'm pregnant I love my body (once I start showing lol) and I'd be damned if I let some online jerks bring me down because I want to share an amazing experience with other women...I'd love to see your video if you still have it online...and I also am thinking of making a website for my UC...just something simple I dont have to pay for lol

[gossamerwindweb]

Laura Shanley told me that the reason she doesn't have any larger women on her website is because none have offered pictures or video, so I offered. Then she said she isn't really working on her website right now, so she declined. But the fact that I am the first larger woman to offer? That is just sad.

When I gave birth to my daughter I was ~240 (so still obese). When I gave birth to my son I was 310 (so morbidly obese AND advanced maternal age of 35).... which actually wasn't bad considering that I gained only 10 lbs the entire pregnancy, and before I got pregnant I had lost around 70. I am actually now close to 100 lbs lower than my highest weight, and that is great (thank you breastfeeding). His pregnancy was a total shock... but fabulous

I am not planning to pay for my website either, and actually I am having a hard time getting going on it. It is just kind of an overwhelming thought, ya know? LOL!

[kittywitty]

I got a UC video from one of the yahoo UC groups. There was at least one "larger" woman on there who had a beautiful video. So they are out there. Honestly with the threat of CPS, I see that as one of the big reasons (from talking to other people and from myself) as not putting it out on the internet.

[Tnmommi]

Originally Posted by gossamerwindweb

Laura Shanley told me that the reason she doesn't have any larger women on her website is because none have offered pictures or video, so I offered. Then she said she isn't really working on her website right now, so she declined. But the fact that I am the first larger woman to offer? That is just sad.

When I gave birth to my daughter I was ~240 (so still obese). When I gave birth to my son I was 310 (so morbidly obese AND advanced maternal age of 35).... which actually wasn't bad considering that I gained only 10 lbs the entire pregnancy, and before I got pregnant I had lost around 70. I am actually now close to 100 lbs lower than my highest weight, and that is great (thank you breastfeeding). His pregnancy was a total shock... but fabulous

I am not planning to pay for my website either, and actually I am having a hard time getting going on it. It is just kind of an overwhelming thought, ya know? LOL!

Breastfeeding hasnt helped me lose weight it has kept me around the 160s and I've been BFing for 3 years..damn it lol
After this baby I'm hoping to get healthier because even being 22 I lack energy so for you to be in your 30s and making the progress you are kudos momma..I'll be sure to share my birth video with you (and the world) in March lol

[Mamatoabunch]

We have taped almost all of our births. It has become less important to me the last few years. All of my HB/UC's I have been over 200 and most over 250-275. Way back when Laura Shanley put together a UC tape. It had Taegan's birth, my first UC. I was 230ish. I was so surprised she was coming so fast we turned the camera on and dh had it so it cut off my head, LOL. I don't share mine online for modesty reasons personally. Anyway I now "only" weigh 178 so I lost a lot of weight, but still too modest to share birth videos online.

[Rejoicing]

Oh that is my one and only regret from my birth last year. There is SUCH a lack of good breech birth videos available for expectant mamas on the web. Before hand I was like NO WAY for the reasons mentioned above. But now after, looking back at how wonderful it all was, I DO wish we wouldda had it videotaped. Tape it. You can always erase it later, but you can't go back and redo it for taping

[lia_joy]

My only regret from my first birth (solo) was that I didn't get it on video.  For my second and third, DH's #1 job was making sure to get video.  I posted both (on www.youtube.com/liajoy83) and not only did I not regret it, but doing so really helped my personal growth.  I read the comments other women got, so was prepared for the ugly ones.  I still get upset, not that they are insulting me, personally (they don't know me, so it CAN'T be personal.) The fact that there are people out there that are so angry and hostile and inconsiderate and so removed from childbirth and our bodies disturbs me sometimes.  But I've spent a lot of time/energy practicing how to respond to people like that and it's taught me a lot about communicating confidently & how I see myself....

My second birth was difficult for me to even watch for a couple years because it was painful and I was screaming (and I'm normally a pretty quiet person.) Posting that was challenging, but I felt it was important to pay it forward to all the women who put themselves out there (stories, video, info) when I was planning my first UC.  At first when people made comments about my screaming i was a little defensive- Like, 'good for you for not screaming. I didn't scream for either of the other 2. every birth is different...' Then I realized that by making excuses, I was kind of saying there was something wrong with my noises- AND THERE's NOT.  I don't think I'd have come to this place of comfort with myself without the challenges I faced from people judging my videos.  I've also had the opportunity to inspire, educate or help people (lots of teenagers ask me questions) and many have shown me great appreciation

-Lia

[Almi]

I definitely want someone to videotape my twin UC, just because it's a lot harder to find twin UC videos.

Only thing is that I have the feeling I'll retreat to my bedroom with my partner to give birth, cuz I'm really private like that.  Lol.  Even though I'm private, I still want it filmed! XD

[rhiandmoi]

You can also disable comments on your youtube channel if you don't want to deal with negative comments.

[annaconda]

Wow - I was just thinking about this the other day - I am a Heavier Mama pregnant for the first time and I thought to myself I rarely do see any heavier ladies on the videos I've watched.  "But I'm sure they're out there" I thought.  Thanks for sharing everyone.  I am proud of my body but that takes a lot of strength and a safe environment... I'd never be able to hack online comments about it at all.  I'm healthy, a yoga teacher, but it takes a safe environment, which the internet is not.  Thanks for sharing your stories!!!