Video cameras banned in L&D

[rph3664]

The hospital where I work recently banned videotaping in the labor & delivery suite. There's a big sign on the entrance door to the unit.

The technician who told me about it believed that the doctors are afraid of being sued and they don't want the evidence on tape. I respectfully disagreed and said it's probably because the video crew gets in the way, or the support person can't give support because they're waving that camera around, or the woman doesn't want to be taped and the person does it anyway, or whatever.

I could see taping the birth if, say, the dad is in Iraq. I have also heard of people who taped the birth and showed it to all their visitors for years afterwards and then wondered why their friends stopped coming around.

What are your policies and opinions on this? I'm curious.

[OB_or_NICU_hopeful]

I (obviously, not a nurse) had NO idea pictures were discouraged these days. I would be heartbroken if I didn't have pictures of my kids immediately following their births. But I'm one of the weird humans that obsesses over & loves birth (and anything surrounding it) :rotfl: I truly could watch birth videos from sun up to sun down!

But truly, I would be so sad to not be able to look back at my pictures and see what I wasn't able to see during the deliveries. It's all so fuzzy, without the images I'd have a difficult time putting the pieces together. And my oldest child was premature and was a c-section because he was frank breech. I LOVE watching my video of him and hearing him cry (even though that very same cry/breathing alarmed the staff that he needed to head straight to the NICU). I loved seeing him pee and hearing the nurses get a good laugh about it. I love hearing "O Holy Night" playing in the background as they are performing the c-section.

I hate that some people ruin a good thing, but I can understand the reason for not allowing filming. I'm just so glad it was never mentioned to us for my two boys.

Of course, I didn't have any "girl parts" on film, but that's more because I didn't want my fat butt on film for eternity (nor my "other" part) :rotfl: But I don't think it's gross, but the opposite actually

I know some people can be so ignorant, but knowing how ecstatic a new child makes people, I can totally understand wanting to create all those memories :)

[tvccrn, ASN, RN]

Apgar on a form, wouldn't it be a legal document belonging to a chart.

Thank you for clearing that up. I had a senior moment and couldn't for the life of me figure out how to take a picture of an apgar.

tvccrn

[SmilingBluEyes]

Well it would be MIGHTY hard to get the apgar in the picture, since it's a score assigned and written down by the nurses. And yes, they are called out, but without much clarification (which is on the charts both for mother and baby), not of much value OR harm on a video tape.

[RNnL&D]

Wow! I'm surprised by the number of facilities that don't allow taping the birth. We allow videotaping of the entire birth from any angle they want, as long as the videographer isn't in the way.

One of our many forms included in the admission packet is a video/photography policy info/consent form. It informs pts and families that they must ask permission from staff before taking their picture, they will not interfere in the pt's care by being in the way, and they will discontinue video/pics if asked.

It seems to be a good system for us.

[SmilingBluEyes]

Well we used to allow it, too. But our risk managers have since decided it's not worth the risk-----like I said, insurance companies run this show, not us.

[RNnL&D]

Well we used to allow it, too. But our risk managers have since decided it's not worth the risk-----like I said, insurance companies run this show, not us.

I suppose the first time a video is entered as evidence in a case against the hospital, we will discontinue the practice as well.

As far as I know, that hasn't happened. I have heard of cases, at other facilities, where the video aided in exonerating the hospital staff, rather than showing any malficience.

[SmilingBluEyes]

There was a horrible malpractice case a while back where I worked (did not involve me, but did several other nurses and a dr). I suppose that MAY have something to do with it, but not sure. I don't know if the birth that went so badly was taped or not---I just know the trend nationwide is to disallow taping of the actual birth itself and I don't see it changing anytime soon.