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Lights, Cameras ... But No Videos in the Delivery Room
Filed under: In The News, Delivery
Some hospitals are banning photos and videos in the delivery room. Credit: Getty
Blame it on malpractice lawyers, but hospitals across the country are facing the tough decision of whether or not to ban cameras that can track every nuance of the delivery (and provide detailed evidence of any possible wrong-doing), The New York Times reports.
In a 2007 case, for example, the University of Illinois Medical Center was forced to pay $2.3 million after a video showed a nurse using excessive force, according to The Times.
A growing number of hospitals have begun banning the practice of videotaping, citing the distractions it causes in the delivery room, not to mention the fact that physicians and nurses aren't too keen about popping up on YouTube or Facebook, the newspaper says, reporting that one physician likened the experience to "a media circus."
But hospitals report they are getting push back from parents who claim it is their parental right to capture the moment on tape.
"It's my child," Laurie Shifler tells The Times. "Who can tell me I can take a picture or not take a picture of my own flesh and blood?"
Expecting her eighth child, Shifler says tells the newspaper she was so upset about her hospital's policy to ban videotaping that she started an online petition, getting hundreds of signatures from supporters.
Physicians, however, say the issue is not about rights, but rather the health and safety of the baby and mother, along with protecting the privacy of the medical staff.
"Deliveries are complicated. I'm not a baseball catcher with a mitt, just catching a baby," Dr. William C. Hamilton, chairman of obstetrics at Meritus Medical Center, which bars photos at birth, tells The Times.
The Hagerstown, Md. hospital bars all pictures and videos, plus cell phones must be turned off during the births, the newspaper reports. Photo shoots must wait until the baby has been delivered safely, as declared by the medical team.
Mike Matray, editor of the Medical Liability Monitor, a newsletter based in Chicago, tells The Times the issue is heating up at hospitals.
"I have certainly heard this issue discussed more often than I ever have previously," he says. "And it's certainly true that some risk managers in hospitals are advising doctors to stop allowing video in the delivery room."
But many other hospitals are taking the opposite approach and accommodating families (except during cesarean sections or if complications arise). St. Luke's Boise Medical Center in Idaho, which serves a large military population, even uses Skype to connect mothers with soldier-fathers overseas.
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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 3)
2-04-2011 @ 10:18PM
Coop said...Sure, it's your child and your right to take a picture of it. It's also the doctor's right to refuse to do the delivery if there's a camera in the room. . . so, hope you like the second string OB guy.
Reply
2-06-2011 @ 9:53PM
QueenKate said...I agree. Why is this woman starting a petition? It's simple. The hospital has the right to make any rules it feels are appropriate. If you don't like those rules, find another hospital. You can't find a hospital that will allow you to video a birth, and you just gotta have a video, have the baby at home. Your house, your rules. Video all you want.
2-07-2011 @ 1:07AM
bob said...The ONLY reason that the hospitals ban the taking of videos is that it leaves a undisputable record of what happens during delivery. It takes away all doubt and second guessing. people will say that malpractice is driving up the costs of health care. i say you are full of shit. it is bad doctors driving up the costs of health care with the malpractice they perform. The docors and hospitals in this country asre closed oprganizations that pretend to police their own players but in reality are afraid to do so because of leagal actions that they may incur. One needs to look no farther than the bad doctors that the state medical boards refuse to sanction because the bad doctor threatens to sue for loss of livelyhood. It is time these organizations became more open and we as a society examined how they operate and tell the bad doctors that they donot deserve to make a living if they are bad. Contrary to common beliefs, not all doctors have an occasional accident that causes the malpractice. It is mainly a small group that is responsible for most of it.
2-07-2011 @ 3:31PM
Paula said...As a Labor & Delivery nurse, I have a right NOT to be filmed. Most hospitals ban videos now. If you want to film your baby, that is fine, but you can't film staff members without their permission. You have rights, but your rights end where mine begin.
2-07-2011 @ 9:36AM
Linda Schaffer said...I can understand both sides to this I think - Dr's and Nurses don't want to have their everyday's work showing up on the internet everywhere, but at the same time the proud new Mom and Dad want to show all their family and friends the new addition to the family. For those with toddlers and new baby's or little one's on the way, HttP://bit.ly/BABYlanding had some nice free items you can request. They mail everything free of charge.
2-06-2011 @ 8:16PM
james russell said...photos of the baby fine,okay but watching some mother on the birthing table dripping fluids while pushing out the baby is gross.
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2-06-2011 @ 9:07PM
Bill said...Sure I agree, it is your right to photograph your child but if the hospital don't allow video, then you have to follow their rules. If you don't like the rules, then fins a hospital that allows video, Simple!
Reply
2-07-2011 @ 7:56AM
Ed said...I always thought this was creepy and I won't miss it.
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2-06-2011 @ 9:20PM
susie1947 said...People are getting out of control with these babies. How many times are you going to go back and view that film. A picture of the baby is far more logical once it is cleaned up.
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2-06-2011 @ 9:30PM
pks29733steel said...You can take a video anywhere, you just have to keep it from them For around $80 bucks (or less depending on the site) you can buy a 'wristwatch' video camera with 8gbs of memory. They are available as a traditional 'analog' ('big hand, little hand with 1 thru 12 circling the watch) or 'digital' (these usually include a microphone for sound). They come with thier 'usb cords' (one side a regular usb, the other side 'micro' to attach to the watch for downloading). They have built in rechargable batteriers. And when they aren't used for videos in the delivery room they can be used also as a MP3/4 player that you can wear on your wrist. Plus the 8gbs is lower in cost than the 'Apple' brand and you can't wear a Apple MP3 player on your wrist!!
Reply
2-06-2011 @ 11:06PM
URStupid said...Yes, Einstein, go ahead and videotape away when you were clearly notified of the "no video" policy of that hospital. But you better start saving because when vids/photos of the medical staff start cropping up all over the internet without their consent, you can bet they're gonna sue the pants off of you!!
2-06-2011 @ 9:37PM
waltor said...If the issue is malpractice, which it obviously is, then the patient should have the right to document the event. The paid for the time and use of the room and the staff and for a competent team. While I agree that the video should not become intrusive to the delivery process (a naturally occurring process for those of you that forget), It should be available to the parents for documenting the event if that is their wish. Should their be problems with the birth, then accountability is only made more clear with video evidence.
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2-07-2011 @ 3:57PM
Tgrodr said...So be sure to tell your Dr that you are going to video tape your open heart surgery and see what they say.... There are some places where "personal" cameras should not be allowed.
2-06-2011 @ 9:49PM
Jojo said...Geeez 8th baby? Maybe we should start a petition to have this woman stop popping out kids.
Reply
8-03-2011 @ 2:47PM
eyelove2dance said...8 isn't as bad as 19.... I agree it's a lot but compared to others who have more?? come on..
2-06-2011 @ 9:50PM
Mikki said...I agree, no videos should be allowed in the delivery room. The father can take pic's as soon as the baby is checked out and examined and then given to the mother to hold. Any woman who is pg with her 8th child isn't too bright in this day and age. She should have stopped at #2 or #3 and been happy at that.
Reply
2-08-2011 @ 12:10AM
auntliddy said...I have always wondered- to whom do you show this video to? Who wants to see the actual shot of the baby coming out of the mother's vagina? I know I don't want to see anyone's mom's nether regions! So, again, i ask, who do you show this video to??!!
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2-06-2011 @ 10:52PM
Jonno said...Cameras don't belong in the delivery room, neither do fathers, if something goes wrong they would only be in the way.
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2-07-2011 @ 11:01AM
ajschrod said...Oh boy, did you ever say a mouthful, Jonno!--pics/videos are out of the question! Misguided couples began lobbying to let fathers into delivery years ago and the more permissive hospitals caved and let them. Now they ALL wish it had never happened, but don't have the guts to say "no" anymore. It's not a pretty sight, and sensible wives should tell their guys to bring a book and don't move out of the waiting room--hopefully, they remember how to read!
2-07-2011 @ 4:14AM
GB said...Sounds like a circus to me in these delivery rooms. Who the ___ wants to see a bloody mess and tape it! Have the kid at home if you want the neighbors, family and videos watching a mother in pain. Is nothing sacred anymore.