| User | Comment |
|---|
| Biggles | | posted 12-Feb-2002 7:59am |
Yes. As long as they are prepared for what they are about to see. If they're too young to have it explained to them, then they shouldn't see it - it would terrify them. And if the mother is in too much pain, they should be taken from the room - they shouldn't see someone screaming with agony!
But, yes - with some care and sensitivity, why not? |
| Dino | | posted 12-Feb-2002 8:10am |
No, I do not. I do feel children should regulate their own exposure. Like, for example, where do babies come from? You give them a vague answer just touching on the surface but not lying. Then if they ask another question then to give them a little bit more information. They themselves will stop when they reach their own limit. But watching childbirth could be a pretty traumatic experience. |
| Oscar | | posted 12-Feb-2002 9:34am |
I used to know a family that had 13 children. Each time one was born all the others were involved in the birth. (They birthed at home). The oldest girl was a friend of mine and she hated the fact that she had to watch, let alone help.
I don't think that it is a good thing for children to watch it. It may scare them or do other things to their weak little impressionable minds. |
| Oscar | | posted 12-Feb-2002 9:36am |
In addition, I think that it would be more acceptable for children to witness an animal being born. Even if it is just a cat, hamster, puppies, etc.
That seems different than human childbirth to me. Maybe because they won't equate that with themselves. |
| kirst | | posted 12-Feb-2002 9:52am |
I think it would depend on the age of the child and whether he/she would like to witness childbirth. It would also depend on how well the labor is progressing. |
| Cain | | posted 12-Feb-2002 10:18am |
Yes, absolutely. |
Maarten  | | posted 12-Feb-2002 11:47am |
Sure, it's only natural. |
Galomorro   | | posted 12-Feb-2002 11:53am |
I think it might be best to wait until the child is at least in his/her teens. Kids below this age might be traumatized by all the pain the mother is suffering, and the baby's appearance before it is cleaned up. These are facts of life, sure, but to witness all this in living color might cause a younger child to be less likely to want to experience such a thing herself if she's a girl and potential mom. By the time they are teenagers, maybe 14 or so and over, they may be more mature and able to witness such a thing without being adversely affected by some of it. I guess it all depends on the maturity of the child also. An older preteen might be okay with it. |
| justjulie | | posted 12-Feb-2002 3:10pm |
i think it depends on how comfortable YOU are with it |
| confetti | | posted 12-Feb-2002 5:03pm |
No, I don't, but it really depends on my hypothetical children's opinion. I have no judgement against people wanting to show their own kids, but I don't want mine (whenever I have them) to be exposed to anything so graphic until they feel ready. I know that I (even nearing 15 as I am) would probably have a panic attack if I had to be around a woman giving birth. |
| spidertea | | (reply to Oscar) posted 12-Feb-2002 5:45pm |
But that's no good reason to not spay/neuter your animals and let them breed so kids can "see the miracle of birth." People use that excuse all the time, but then get angry when they can't find homes and the animals end up being euthanized.
Not yelling at you- just my soap box from working at an animal shelter! |
| Oscar | | (reply to spidertea) posted 12-Feb-2002 10:06pm |
I could never work at a shelter. I'd cry all the time. Euthanizing animals breaks my heart...  |
| ASexyBabe | | (reply to Maarten) posted 12-Feb-2002 10:13pm |
have you ever witnessed a birth??? |
| mandy | | posted 13-Feb-2002 12:17am |
Yes, I think it's wonderful but only if the child wants to be there and isn't frightened by the bellowing and swear words. |
| mimind | | posted 13-Feb-2002 1:15am |
i think it would only depend on if said child was mature enough to handle something of this calibur...determination of this would obviously have to be made by said childs parents.
child birth is the most beautiful thing ive ever witnessed..
nothing can compare to your own child being born..but even when it wasnt mine it still changed my life forever. |
| darkshadowsseeker | | posted 13-Feb-2002 3:27am |
Yes, if they are your children and you have prepared them for what they are going to witness. You don't want to cause any needless trauma by bringing them in to view childbirth without explaining to them beforehand what will be happening and why it's happening. |
| Maarten | | (reply to ASexyBabe) posted 13-Feb-2002 6:41am |
Only on television. |
| ASexyBabe | | (reply to Maarten) posted 13-Feb-2002 9:15am |
I also think that it is the most natural thing you can possibly see but I could see where it would scare some kids depending on age and education. |
| Zang | | posted 13-Feb-2002 9:30am |
I don't know. This isn't something that I've ever spent a lot of time thinking about. I'm not strongly opposed to the idea. Nor am I strongly in favour. I suppose if the child really wanted to see it, and they were prepared for what it entailed, and everyone else was on board...It doesn't really strike me as a good idea, but I also don't think it would be a horrible thing under the right circumstances. |
| moonstone | | posted 13-Feb-2002 9:42am |
When I was in labor, my Dad couldn't even watch me have a contraction, it was too hard for him to see me in so much pain. He had to leave the hospital. It wasn't even a consideration for him to be in the room when I was giving birth. Just like it's hard for Fathers to see their daughters in pain, it's even harder for kids to see their Mom in pain. I think kids can learn plenty from seeing their brand new baby brother or sister right AFTER Mom gives birth. It'll still be an amazing experience for all. |
| spidertea | | (reply to Oscar) posted 13-Feb-2002 2:28pm |
It broke my heart too. But sometimes it is the most humane option. |
| Oscar | | (reply to spidertea) posted 13-Feb-2002 3:37pm |
I understand that, but I'd still cry. I wish people would stop breeding animals that have to be put down. |
| autumnlight | | posted 13-Feb-2002 3:37pm |
Why not? It's a natural process. |
romkey  | | posted 13-Feb-2002 9:58pm |
I think it depends tremendously on the child but could be okay. |
| Cleo | | posted 15-Feb-2002 12:07am |
As for me?? I wouldn't want my kids watching me give birth.I didn't even like the doctors & nurses watching me give birth.I know that it's only human nature,but I love my privacy.
I can't even stand the thought of having a doctor giving me a pap!Yuck! |
| juliw | | posted 15-Feb-2002 7:19pm |
I don't think I would want my kids to witness childbirth, but I suppose some kids could handle it. I definitely wouldn't very young children to witness it (under 9 years old) |
| Jemmy | | posted 17-Feb-2002 3:01pm |
Yes, if they really want to. |
| mrsbbear | | posted 23-Feb-2002 12:26am |
Yes, at their parents' discretion. Not okay just to show birth films to young children in school or something, without parental consent though. |
| Twacy222 |
It depends on the child, some can handle it and some can't, but personally I wouldn't feel comfortable if it were my own child watching me have his/her sibling if he/she were over 10 years of age, and I don't think they would be comfortable with it either. You get to the age when you don't want to see something like that coming out of your mother! (like teenagers especially) |
