Being Pregnant
The Importance Of C-Section Birth Photography
Recently, here on Being Pregnant, we have seen posts featuring some undeniably powerful birth photos.
As one of many women who was not able to have a vaginal birth experience (in my case, I had a cesarean due to breech presentation), these images made me think about the equal significance, beauty, and power of the cesarean birth photo.
There are many reasons why a woman might find herself facing a c-section. Sometimes it is a scheduled event, and sometimes it happens unexpectedly in an emergency situation. Unfortunately, c-section births are not always well-documented visually, often because cameras are not allowed in the operating room.
Click below to read more, and to view a gorgeous c-section birth photo session.
I recently spoke with birth photographer Kelly M. Orum, who shared her thoughts on the significance of c-section birth photography:
I believe that every birth is beautiful. Whether it is med free, with an epidural, or a c-section. So far, the c-sections that I have been present at have been planned c-sections, not emergencies, and at only one have I been allowed in the operating suite. The physical act may be different than a natural birth, but the emotion, the anxiety, the anticipation, the love, is all the same.
Mothers who experience a cesarean birth rely on the camera lens to be their eyes. Much of the actual birth is shielded from the mother’s view, and combined with the anesthesia, the entire experience can be completely overwhelming — making c-section birth photos even more significant.
Putting any debate about c-section rates and reasons aside, the fact is, the birth of a child is beautiful, and worth documenting, no matter how the baby emerged from its mother’s body.
Stay tuned to Being Pregnant this week — I’ll be featuring some more amazing c-section birth photos!
Do you have photos from your c-section?
Photo by Kelly M. Orum of BirthbyKellyM
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33 Comments
Amy commented on Dec 12 11 at 9:29 amI agree completely that pictures of c-section births should be as significant as those from vaginal births. Sadly many hospitals (including the one where I had 2 c-sections) do not allow photography in the OR. Because of this, I have no pictures of my boys during their first moments in this world. It’s incredibly unfair that if I had delivered vaginally, I would have had pictures moments after their births but because I had c-sections, their first pictures are in recovery more than 30 minutes after they were born.
Christie Brooks commented on Dec 12 11 at 9:43 amI have a few not so great shots of my c-section. It was a emergency premature birth and my blood pressure kept bottoming out. My poor mom had so much to deal with at the moment she forgot to snap more pictures. I treasure those I do have! I think cameras should be allowed during c-sections, it is a life changing moment for a family. I asked my doctor to allow me to watch with a mirror, he would have let me if they would have had time to get one.
I also want to say that Kelly’s photos are amazing. I was in tears looking through them. She captured those moments perfectly!
Nicole Ferrante commented on Dec 12 11 at 9:44 amCrissy! Thank you SO Much for posting this. I, myself, have never been able to experience a vaginal birth. I’ve had c-sections for both of my children. It makes me sad, because there are not many photos taking of my kids being born, only afterwards. I would cherish these photos just as much! I SO appreciate you sharing this :)
Tanya commented on Dec 12 11 at 9:51 amI love this article. We were fortunate enough to be able to have our camera in the operating room during my two unplanned c-sections. In fact, our midwives and nurses made double sure my husband had it in hand after he had put his scrubs on. And they were even the ones taking some of the pics of us. While we were allowed to have the camera we weren’t supposed to do video. Accidentally, my husband did get a little bit of video during the moments they were pulling my daughter out. Even though all you can see is the blanket they put between us and the action taking place at my abdomen, you can hear my husband’s coos and gasps as he laid eyes on my daughter for the first time. It’s amazing and I’m so happy to have that little piece of video. It puts tears in my eyes every time I watch it.
SarahB commented on Dec 12 11 at 11:04 amWow. Thank you for posting these. My memory of my emergency c-section is quite fuzzy, due to the combination of drugs, exhaustion, anxiety, etc I experienced.
I hadn’t wanted there to be photos in the OR, but the nurses encouraged us to bring the camera and even took the first photos of our son squalling and being weighed and cleaned off, as my husband stayed by my side. I treasure those photos very much.
snakecharmer commented on Dec 12 11 at 2:19 pmMy husband was allowed to bring in the camera during my emergency c-section with our daughter but didn’t really take any pictures because he was caught up in the moment! He did take a few pics right after she was born though and he did take a short video clip of her at about the same time, so I treasure those.
Karen commented on Dec 13 11 at 12:13 amAs a pro photographer, birth photography was very important to me no matter what kind of birth I had. My husband, also a pro, was able to capture incredible images of our son’s first moments emerging from the womb. I’m having a second c-section with baby #2, and am very excited to see the images from that birth, too!
kaitlyn commented on Dec 13 11 at 1:08 amI wish I could have had pictures. I originally had a planned C-section but I went into labor 6 days before I was supposed to have it. So My daughter ended up being an emergency c-section because she was breech frank or butt first. They had actually told me I could take pictures when I asked the doctor that dya but when I came time for my mom who is a professional Photographer to come and start taking pictures they would not let her bring the camera in because they said it was not sterile even thought she had the camera in a protective plastic case. I was very disjointed with that especially since they had told me that I could have her take pictures and it was over an hour before they got me off the table and I had enough feeling back in my arms to be able to hold my princess for the first time. I had been able to see her because my husband was here but only barely for her birth and he got to see her being born so that at least was a good thing.
Megan commented on Dec 13 11 at 12:22 pmWe were told no cameras in the operating room so the doctor saying we could take pics right before they pulled out my son was a surprise. I didn’t take having a cesarean well so it took me months to look at the only picture my husband snapped. I didn’t see my son Until he was an hour old, so now the first couple of pictures are important.
Nancy commented on Dec 13 11 at 2:03 pmYes! I have a photo of my eldest being lifted out. It’s a great picture and I would frame it, if I didn’t think people would be grossed out. LOL.
Carmen B. commented on Dec 13 11 at 2:06 pmThe doctor actually told my husband to stand up and take a picture of the screen AS THEY WERE PULLING HER OUT! He was not expecting to see my guts laid out there on top of my chest…but he did get an amazing photo of our babygirl! I have the beautiful photos to treasure forever and i’m very thankful!
goddess commented on Dec 13 11 at 2:06 pmTo be honest, I wouldn’t want ANY pictures giving birth. Right after I’m done and holding the little one is QUITE soon enough.
Lara K commented on Dec 13 11 at 2:19 pmI had a “surprise” c-section laboring naturally for 30 hours only to find baby had flipped to a breech position at the last possible minute. My husband had the camera and took shots over the drape of all the action and our daughter’s birth. The photos are quite gory and I was not able to look at them for several months after she was born (I was still bitter and also a bit squeamish about the c-section after planning a natural birth!). Now I absolutely treasure the photos. What an amazing thing to see. Her birth is no less a miracle than a natural vaginal birth would have been – a different type of miracle, sure, but still a miracle! I’m so glad I have the photos and I admire my hubby for being able to take great shots with calm hands while at the same time talking reassuringly to me throughout it all, giving me a play by play. He caught it all – what a guy! :)
Betsy commented on Dec 13 11 at 2:19 pmI was lucky to get some from my first born who was c section.. but with my son my mom came in to watch it.. and well she was so excited she couldn’t remember how to use the camera… this will be my 3rd and final baby and would like to have pictures.. my sister in law is going to possibly be present for this one.. since my husband is fearful of being in the room during surgery. So I’m going to make sure that pictures are allowed.
Danielle commented on Dec 13 11 at 2:19 pmI had an unplanned C-section and luckily was able to have photos taken. My husband brought the camera but the anesthesiologist took the photos so they are from all around the room which is really nice and it left my husband able to be there for support and for us all to be in the pictures together towards the end. I actually put some of them in my son’s baby book even and at 2 1/2 he LOVES looking through that book and seeing those 1st pictures of us all together and I am incredibly grateful that it’s something we have and can all cherish together!
Ashley T commented on Dec 13 11 at 2:28 pmThank you for this! There isnt a whole lot on C-sections. Theres always the beautiful photos of a vaginal birth but nothing really on this. I’ve had 2 boys both via c-section. The 1st born was my choice after a long hard labor and no progress. The 2nd born was my midwife’s choice since it was just 15 months after my 1st one was born. It was so scary. Three days in the hospital, away from my oldest son and my husband. It was a nightmare. It was such a great 3 days with my new son but it was hard to relax and not worry what was going on at home. They asked me if I needed to stay one more night and though I should have said “yes”, I didnt. I wanted to go home and be with my family. I was in so much pain and knew I should have stayed just one more night. I couldnt hold my 15 month old son for 6 weeks. The hardest thing is watching your little boy hold his arms up to you, screaming for you just to hold him tight. What your body goes through is so dramatic during and after a c-section. These photos show the bittersweet moments. To me, these photos have more of a story than the regular vaginal birth photos you see out there. To me, theyre beautiful.
Andrea commented on Dec 13 11 at 2:38 pmI had an unplanned c section, but my husband took amazing photos of our little girl being born. One is of her emerging with her tiny left fist raised high above her head. I’d be happy to have it included in your blog, please email if you’d like for me to send it!
Jen commented on Dec 13 11 at 2:39 pmMy husband was able to take a video of the doctors pulling my son out during my c-section, and I’m super grateful for that! I couldn’t see a thing. I told my husband to stay with the baby the whole time so he went into the other room with him while they were cleaning him off. I’m soooo glad we were able to have a video of that. :)
Ann commented on Dec 13 11 at 2:43 pmI had both of my children all natural even without any of the epidural. I had them both so fast. They are a year 6 months and 2 days apart and i love every minute of being with them too. I was in a complete trans when i gave birth. My second child I wasn’t in a complete trans and it was wonderful but it hurt a little bit.
Jess commented on Dec 13 11 at 2:43 pmAshley, you’re experience is so similar to mine, just a larger age gap between my boys. I love these photos and the positive message behind them. There is way too much negativity surrounding C-sections; it tends to be forgotten that for some families, it is a necessity and not done because of “convenience.”
Ann commented on Dec 13 11 at 2:44 pmMy husband was there also and we had a few other people their and they took pictures.
Kerb commented on Dec 13 11 at 2:54 pmI had an emergency section and was fortunate enough to have a midwife who snapped EVERY picture (at her insistence even)- beginning to end. It was a great experience and interesting to be able to see what they were doing at the time. I even have a shot of the exact moment of my daughter being pulled out- pretty amazing stuff!
Gabrielle commented on Dec 13 11 at 3:01 pmWe have some sweet photos from both of my c-sections. My husband played photographer and daddy, and the doctor was more than happy to hold up the baby for great photos.
Ashley commented on Dec 13 11 at 3:17 pmLove thisarticle , my husband was, lucky tio snap my c section photos which alot find disturbing cause v of the open belly but he did great , I cherish those photos more than anything he also took her photos in the nursery, my c section was sure tio health and a breech baby I was very disappointed when I heard I wasn’t having a vaginal delivery and was so scared.
lauren h commented on Dec 13 11 at 3:31 pmI wish.. I have a few that my husband was able to take of my son in the room,and one of us as a family of 3! My birth experience was very traumatic. I was rushed for a c-section at 35 weeks after my blood pressure spiked, and the doctors suspected a pulminary embolism (blood clot in my lungs). I had a condition called thrombocytopenia which made my blood very thin, and then the pulminologist put me on blood thinners after my son was born. I was in the ICU for 3 days fighting for my life and my baby boy was in the NICU for 9 days fighting for his. I’m just thrilled to say that we are both extremely healthy and happy! He is 7 months old and a ball of fun :) I beat myself up about the c-section for a long time, but I realize now that my scar is the only scar I have that saved not 1 but 2 lives. I am very blessed.
Stacie @ The Divine Miss Mommy commented on Dec 14 11 at 1:27 amBeautiful pictures!! They didn’t allow us to have cameras. :(
Multi-Testing Mommy commented on Dec 14 11 at 8:42 pmOh my goodness, did this post ever hit home with me. I had no pics of me during either of my childrens’ births (both c-sections) and I wish I did. The pics in this post are so beautiful and those are something that the Mom will treasure forever. I just have vague memories……Thank you for this post!
http://multitestingmommy.com
Sarah commented on Dec 15 11 at 3:32 pmMy OB and anesthesiologist allowed photos in the OR when I had my cesarean and I’m forever grateful. It was an unplanned but not emergency surgery as I had been laboring for days and was not progressing. Anyway, my mom and hubby were allowed in with me and both took photos. I have an amazing photo of my son being held up above the curtain moments after he was born and I treasure it — he’s pink, covered in goo and screaming his head off. The anesthesiologist also took our camera and took a few precious photos of us together as a family moments after his birth.
Lenore commented on Dec 19 11 at 11:43 pmThank you! I had two C-sections, one emergency, the second planned. We had the camera in the operating suite, and I have some pictures of my babies right after they were born that I absolutely treasure. Thanks to digital photography, my husband took pictures and ran over to show me right away. I was so grateful for that, particularly after the fear of the emergency, seeing that my beautiful sun was okay.
Sometimes I feel odd saying that I ‘gave birth’ — even though (with the first) I labored for 48 hours. But these images remind me, and others, that Cesarian birth is just as miraculous and beautiful.
Jessica commented on Dec 19 11 at 11:46 pmWe have some great photos of our boys immediately after their c-section births. In fact, the anesthesiologist actually took a few of mom, dad, and baby together with my second son. I’d be happy to share them if you’re looking for some.
tbigred10242000 commented on Dec 19 11 at 11:47 pmi had a cesarean and my husband could not take pis of the baby comming out and no they dont put your guts on your chest lol i dont have any pics of my babies being born from my bellie i dont know why they dont let the parents that are in the room watch them deliver its our children being born and that blue sheet that put so we dont see thats crazy women should be allowed to make that decision they must have something to hide for us not to see i think we should be able to vidio if we want to natural babies they alow u to vidio of mabe they think we will do something if they do something wrong well yes thats why we need to see duh
Melissa commented on Dec 20 11 at 6:19 amI only have the one pic of her coming out, as my husband was with me on the other side of the curtain. The other pics are after our daughter was born. I loved my whole cesarean experience – but I think it’s because it was not an emergency one. I think that made a difference. We were nervous, to be sure … But we had and idea of what was to come (and knew why this was the safest delivery method).
Aubree Faunce commented on Dec 21 11 at 1:59 pmMy first 2 deliveries were vaginal (1 was my premature still born daughter) the other was my 38 weeker(the only one I have birth photos of). My twins came at 33 weeks via emergency c-section and we were prohibited from taking photos and till this day I am devastated I never got pics when they were just fresh out of the womb., It still makes me sad that the first pics I have they were cleaned up and on a ventilator….
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