# If you could watch a video of your own birth, would you? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 19, 2003, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-watch-a-video-of-your-own-birth-would-you/183019 "2003-06-19T22:23:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bruce\_Daddy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/85f322/32.png) [@Bruce\_Daddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bruce_Daddy)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2003, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-watch-a-video-of-your-own-birth-would-you/183019/1 "2003-06-19T22:23:58Z")
Given that, for the most part, you would be watching your own mother in a very . . . compromising situation and the whole affair is probably pretty messy (I’ve never seen a childbirth, so I don’t know). I don’t think I would. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2003, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-watch-a-video-of-your-own-birth-would-you/183019/2 "2003-06-19T22:44:29Z")
No. Nor would I have wanted to watch myself give birth. Thankfully, when that time came, we didn’t own a video camera, nor did anyone in our family. Eons ago when I was young and single, I went with one of my cousins to her childbirth class. That day, they saw a movie on childbirth. I have vivid memories of sitting with my head between my knees while a roomful or pregnant women fussed over me. There are some things I just don’t want to see. Ever. ---
**Author:** ![Jonno](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f19dbf/32.png) [@Jonno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonno)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2003, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-watch-a-video-of-your-own-birth-would-you/183019/3 "2003-06-19T22:47:18Z")
No. No no no no no. A thousand times no. I don’t want to see _anybody_ being born, much less myself. Yuk. ---
**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2003, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-watch-a-video-of-your-own-birth-would-you/183019/4 "2003-06-19T23:23:07Z")
Oh God no. ---
**Author:** ![scout1222](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/34f0e0/32.png) [@scout1222](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scout1222)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2003, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-watch-a-video-of-your-own-birth-would-you/183019/5 "2003-06-19T23:23:17Z")
Eew. No. ---
**Author:** ![TeaRoses](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c37758/32.png) [@TeaRoses](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TeaRoses)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2003, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-watch-a-video-of-your-own-birth-would-you/183019/6 "2003-06-19T23:24:46Z")
Well my mom had a C-section with me, so I might be tempted a little _ducks flying objects_ But I didn’t tape my daughter’s birth or want to. ---
**Author:** ![X\_Slayer\_ALE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/bbe5ce/32.png) [@X\_Slayer\_ALE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/X_Slayer_ALE)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2003, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-watch-a-video-of-your-own-birth-would-you/183019/7 "2003-06-19T23:45:32Z")
I follow along with the rest of the good people here and say EEEEWWW Gah\_ROOSSS!!! NO WAY! UNH-UH Not unless you want to torture me. However, upon rational thought I would concede to watching the conception…again of someone else’s conception. _ugh_ parents having sex… _shudder_ ---
**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2003, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-watch-a-video-of-your-own-birth-would-you/183019/8 "2003-06-20T00:01:28Z")
I’m in the minority here, but… **YES** I would view it as a historical record of a critical moment in my life and the lives of my parents. “So, here’s what I looked like when I came into the world. Fascinating.” I don’t get grossed out easily, so… ---
**Author:** ![Special\_Agent\_Jazz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bcef8e/32.png) [@Special\_Agent\_Jazz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Special_Agent_Jazz)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2003, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-watch-a-video-of-your-own-birth-would-you/183019/9 "2003-06-20T00:03:26Z")
Hmm…no, definitely not. I don’t want anyone filming if I gave birth either. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2003, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-watch-a-video-of-your-own-birth-would-you/183019/10 "2003-06-20T00:19:19Z")
This reminded me - about 17 years ago, a coworker became a father for the first time. He took video and still pics. He brought the stills to work to share. Yeah - photos of his wife pushing. I’m sure she was thrilled when she found out. ---
**Author:** ![Lissa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lissa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissa)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2003, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-watch-a-video-of-your-own-birth-would-you/183019/11 "2003-06-20T03:43:38Z")
No way. I don’t find anything beautiful about the childbirth process. It’s bloody, and you’re watching someone writhe in pain. What I would like to see is video, of, say, the first time I was introduced to my other family members. That would be very sweet. ---
**Author:** ![popgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4da419/32.png) [@popgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/popgirl)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2003, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-watch-a-video-of-your-own-birth-would-you/183019/12 "2003-06-20T03:54:34Z")
Totally! I would love to see myself getting born. There are two reasons why I’m in this overwhelming minority: 1. I don’t get grossed out easily 2. I like watching myself 🙂 I always wondered if what my mom says about my birth is true! Since she is known to stretch the truth just a little bit… ---
**Author:** ![Broken\_Doll](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bbce88/32.png) [@Broken\_Doll](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broken_Doll)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2003, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-watch-a-video-of-your-own-birth-would-you/183019/13 "2003-06-20T03:55:07Z")
I’m going to say **yes** as well - I think it’d be an amazing thing to watch myself being born! And like Bearflag said, it’s a historical event in my family, plus I don’t get grossed out. ---
**Author:** ![Primaflora](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/898d66/32.png) [@Primaflora](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Primaflora)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2003, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-watch-a-video-of-your-own-birth-would-you/183019/14 "2003-06-20T03:57:57Z")
Depends. If the camera is focused on the coming out bit, then, no. But video of the general event, maybe. Mr P excelled himself and showed some photos of me nude, covered in blood to his mother and his aunt. I was wild – I hadn’t even known the photos were being taken and there is NO WAY anyone would have seen those if I had known. Grrrrrr. ---
**Author:** ![sumwunsumwer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3e96dc/32.png) [@sumwunsumwer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sumwunsumwer)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2003, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-watch-a-video-of-your-own-birth-would-you/183019/15 "2003-06-20T04:12:00Z")
Of course I would!! I have three boys and have tasteful videos of two of my births, the third I passed on the camera but mostly because of the quickness in which my labor came on and became very extreme! However, if I did watch my birth, I would have to say I would dislike the uh…well private portion of my mother that I never want to see. That would be the only rough part for me but I think I could handle it in exchange for witnessing my very first moment joining the world outside. I bet I was screaming then too! How could anyone ever pass that opportunity up? TO THE ONES WHO ANSWER “NO YOU WOULD NOT WATCH”: Have you ever had the chance and turned it down? ---
**Author:** ![lovelyluka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f475e1/32.png) [@lovelyluka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lovelyluka)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2003, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-watch-a-video-of-your-own-birth-would-you/183019/16 "2003-06-20T04:23:04Z")
There was a time before I decided to do medical research when I wanted to be an obstetrician…so, sure I would. I saw my mom’s coochie when we took baths together when I was little, I’ve seen the top of my head, I’ve seen blood and other gooky substances - honestly, I guess I just don’t understand what the big deal is. I think it’d be fascinating. Of course, if there are videocameras in the delivery room when my turn comes to give birth, someone will be shot. ---
**Author:** ![BadBaby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/71c47a/32.png) [@BadBaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BadBaby)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2003, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-watch-a-video-of-your-own-birth-would-you/183019/17 "2003-06-20T04:35:33Z")
I say “NO!” but deep inside I know I would probably watch, eventually. Squeemish as I am, I’d probably pass out, and when I came to, never be able to look my mom in the eyes again. ---
**Author:** ![Essured](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/278dde/32.png) [@Essured](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Essured)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2003, 7:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-watch-a-video-of-your-own-birth-would-you/183019/18 "2003-06-20T07:33:22Z")
Yes. Why? I don’t get grossed out at that sort of thing, all things biological fascinate me, the human body can do some amazing stuff, academic interest. Actually all of those reasons apply to any generic childbirth, not just my own unimportant entrance to the world. I’m unimpressed by the whole “that’s me!” or family history side of things, though. I guess I’d just be interested to see _any_ ‘normal’ birth. Biology is amazing 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Ice\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dfb087/32.png) [@Ice\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ice_Wolf)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2003, 7:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-watch-a-video-of-your-own-birth-would-you/183019/19 "2003-06-20T07:57:36Z")
I have seen a human birth, and I was honoured to be able to do so (I watched as the crown of the head of my good friend’s baby daughter came into view – and the kiddie bears my first two names as a hypnenated middle name.) 🙂 Would I see a video, if it were possible, of my own birth? Yes. I’d feel uncomfortable about being the cause of my mother’s discomfort – but I’d feel a joy being able to watch what she fought so hard to have happen. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2003, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-watch-a-video-of-your-own-birth-would-you/183019/20 "2003-06-20T13:14:03Z")
In a heart beat. Being adopted, I would like to see what my mother looked like. I can get over seeing her cootchie. Every female has one. So what. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-watch-a-video-of-your-own-birth-would-you/183019.md?page=2)