Photography in L&D

sbic56, BSN, RN · May 17, 2005

Actually, if the medical staff are performing as they are supposed to, a video could actually prove to be valuable to the defense if it ever went to court. This is another form of documentation, not unlike police using their video tapes for proving they responded appropriately during an arrest or interaction with someone.

There are no restrictions of photos and videos in the hospital where I work OB. We are used to them and carry on as if they aren't there.

badgernurse · May 17, 2005

About a year ago, a local story ran on the news for two straight days (must have been a slow news week). Anyway, this guy was videotaping wife's delivery and set the camera, still running, on a table. A nurse was performing her duties and was caught on tape rubbing her nose with the back of her gloved hand. I understand infection control and all but I feel this news story was way overcovered and blown way out of proportion. It was reported that she never changed her gloves or washed her hands after rubbing her nose, of course the only part of the tape with the nurse in view was that brief time so we really don't know the story. Cameras are now not allowed in this hospital.

onehusbandsevenkids · May 18, 2005

Photography during delivery is prohibited solely to protect the hospital/staff.

(as are most of the rules/regulations/proceedures during a hospital labor and delivery!)

Sorry, just am very steamed at the moment as a client just gave birth this morning at the "mandatory 4 hour mother/baby seperation hospital, the largest, most popular one in this area...sigh)"

imenid37 · May 18, 2005

I don't care about being photo'd or video'd if I am not distracted. I don't want to move here, move there, and have a flash in my face to blind me. I am at the delivery to do my job and ensure a safe birth for the pt. I am not there to be a player in someone's production. We do pictures and video afterward per hospital policy, not during the delivery. IMHO support people should do just that. Be there and support the mom, not be a dstraction to her or the staff. I remember a dad who was poised to shoot the birth pic who balked when we asked him to put the camera down and hold the legs back for a shoulder dystocia. Thank God he did it.

It may sound old fashioned or silly to some of you, but my memories of my own childbirth are etched forever in my mind and heart. They are very personal. I don't need or want a video or picture of them. When I used to take care of many elderly pt's., they often could remember their birth experience even when they couldn't remember where they put the comb or dentures they just laid down. I know that's not everyone's opinion, but I do say safety comes first.

PegRNBSN · May 18, 2005

In this age of digital photography and video it is really quite easy to alter video. There are several instances where cases went to court and the video was altered. Two were discovered as such one was not. Of course it was the word of the "evil" doctor against the patient.

While I am not naive and know that there is malpractice I also know that there is alot of suing going on that is unjustified and video can be made to look damning.

imenid37 · May 18, 2005

A doctor I work w/ likes to tell a story (which I don't know for a fact to be true) about a disgruntled ex-husband or boyfriend who put the wife's/girlfriend's birth video in the neighbours' mailbox when she cheated on him. I don't know about that one, but I think what Peg said is very true. The potential for litigation and alteration of the video is HUGE. I think we have to be careful about what we say etc. in the presence of a video camera. If the pt. really wanted it, I would reluctantly consent unless I thought the couple were total crazies. I would however, decline to be filmed doing an iv start, vag exam, physical exam, etc. Pt's and families have rights, but so do we.

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · May 18, 2005

I don't have issues about being filmed, but do have a LOT of problems when grandparents crowd in to take pictures, and the baby isn't even breathing yet. I need room to move, grab stuff, and time to think instead of trying to find a way to politely say their request is inappropriate right now (then they ask "why not?" and I'm trying to concentrate on bagging and suctioning etc!)

I don't think we need the extra stress during a time of life or death decisions. That's what they are, even if they are "routine", and the visitors don't realize it because we make it look so easy, and calm.

Working in a small hospital I often was the only nurse on nights, and had the sup for backup assistance, but essentially it was just me and the doc. So I'd be at the warming table with the supervisor bagging the baby, and the doc would be with the mom. Who else in small hospitals has little codes that you say in an oh-so-cheerful voice to let the doc know that things are sucking in your corner of the room?

Like " my, thats a lovely shade of blue"

" theres a little breath, now try for a big one, baby"

"let me help you out so you'll get nice and pink"

"listen to him gurgle!"

"look at those arms and legs, can you move for us?"

and in the middle of this- "can you move your hands I want to take a picture?" "how much does he weigh?" "can I hold him?" can everybody come in now? they said when the baby was born we could all see him." "but could you clean him up? I can't stand the sight of blood."

BUZZ OFF!

Natalieboo · May 18, 2005

I completely understand where you guys are coming from in that you have duties you need to perform without cameras getting in your way.

However, coming from the other end here, I am SO greatful my husband caught my last birth on video! We actually just watched it together last week because our daughter turned 6 months old. It was very exciting to relive those few moments so vividly and I totally cried. My first daughter came 4 weeks early and we were SO unorganized that we FORGOT our camera when we went to the hospital. Thankfully, MIL came in with hers shortly after delivery and got to take those first moments pictures. They were nice, but I sort of wish I had video because I would have LOVED to compare my births now.

Anyways, my last delivery was at home with a midwife. I am the last person on earth who would have had a homebirth (but that is for another thread). I am so glad I did, and so glad we got it on video. If I was ever told in the hospital that we couldn't video the birth, I am quite certain I would be so upset that someone could deny me being able to watch my own baby coming out of my body. Sure you have your own memories, but to watch it after and see it from another point of view is absolutely amazing.

There is nothing like it and I don't think ANYONE should have the authority to deny someone that.

fergus51 · May 18, 2005

We always let parents film the birth from a distance when I worked in Canada. It was somewhat controversial because of the idiots who would get in the way at the worst time trying to get the best shot. They were not allowed to videotape procedures of any kind like IV starts, epidurals, etc. and I can't imagine why they would want to. Just as parents have rights, so do healthcare providers. Patients are not allowed to photograph or videotape the staff without their consent. Although I do think parents should be allowed to videotape the birth for posterity, I can understand why many hospitals in the US don't allow it. We're at the point where doctors are declining to deliver babies anymore because of the risk of litigation and so it's only reasonable to expect those that do deliver babies to try to minimize their risks. Parents are as much to blame for camera bans as hospitals are.

Mimi2RN, ASN, RN · May 19, 2005

We used to allow video cameras at deliveries, but that changed a couple of years ago. Now they can be used afterwards, but the staff have to give the ok.

Family members can be very disruptive when the baby needs a little help. They don't understand why we are not answering their questions, it makes me feel as though I'm being rude to them, but I need to do my job.

At times, I'm appalled at the photos people take at a delivery. Why photo mom's crotch during a contraction, when NOTHING of the baby is showing!

I'd be embarrassed to take the film in for processing, often they are those disposable camaras, not digital which go in your computer

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · May 19, 2005

You take your patient's films in to be developed???? Whose customer service idea was that?

I also think that having a record of the birth is wonderful, I'm all for it. My problem comes in when you explain the guidelines to the photographer, like don't touch the sterile table, stand back here until we tell you it's OK, no extra visitors until mom and baby are cleaned up...then they crowd the resusitation team, use the delivery table to lean against, and one guy started picking up the instruments(!). After explaining the sterile field concept to every Dad in a very small delivery room I have about 80% that still rush out to tell their family the weight/sex, and on the way put their hand on the sterile delivery table to push it aside. These are people that have the best of intentions but just forget the rules. Same problem with photography...

If I know that inspite of my best explanations and teaching beforehand that family is going to be asking me to pose the baby DURING the resuscitation (I'm not kidding) for pics, and I also know that I will be too busy to explain again why airway comes before photo op...it's a situation that endangers care.

I agree that photos should be allowed, but also know that safe care and nursing concentration on baby comes way ahead of that. I don't see a solution, and would love to have someone volunteer a way that consistently works for them.