Birth videos suitable for 3yo?

meitaimama · #1 (**permalink**) 15-12-2007, 09:01 AM

Does anyone know of any good videos (on youtube or on dvd) that I can show my dd next year to prepare her for our new baby's birth. I don't know yet if she'll be at the birth, but I'd like her to see something wth a little more detail than the book "Hello Baby' which is currently her main source of info about birth other than us talking to her about it! Anything showing someone giving birth would be great.

**Susan** · #2 (**permalink**) 15-12-2007, 03:27 PM

What about The Big Stretch? Beautiful DVD by Alieta Belle and Jenny Blyth. I am sure you would love it too!

Mind you I remember setting out with the same intent in preparing my then 3.5 year old for the home birth of his sibling. I got a video for him from my midwife and he wasn't all that interested. Birth can be a bit boring for little kids except for the really good bits!! That is what he was like when the time came too! I think the best preparation is your complete trust in yourself, your body and your baby. That is what our children sense.

meitaimama · #3 (**permalink**) 15-12-2007, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Susan

What about The Big Stretch? Beautiful DVD by Alieta Belle and Jenny Blyth. I am sure you would love it too!

Mind you I remember setting out with the same intent in preparing my then 3.5 year old for the home birth of his sibling. I got a video for him from my midwife and he wasn't all that interested. Birth can be a bit boring for little kids except for the really good bits!! That is what he was like when the time came too! I think the best preparation is your complete trust in yourself, your body and your baby. That is what our children sense.

Thanks! Yes, we're going to play it by ear with dd - I'm hoping this baby arrives during the day then whoever's looking after dd can take her to the playroom in the hospital if she gets bored at the birth centre!

DHA_mama · #4 (**permalink**) 15-12-2007, 07:33 PM

I really liked sharing the DVD Siblings At Birth with my daughter before her sister was born.

Some more resources listed here:
http://www.natural-birth.com.au/flex...s-at-birth.cfm

monstermon · #5 (**permalink**) 16-12-2007, 12:38 PM

I think stills (ie photos) can say a lot too... do you know anyone who has some pics of a birth they might share with you??

I don't reckon they need to know *all* the details before hand....it's hard to know what they will see at the time.. I was in water, so no one could really see what was happening until I sat up holding our baby... knowing that you might make a lot of noise, and that those noises help the baby come out, is a good thing too...

we took DSD (she was 6 at the time) to the birthing centre for a special explore (a midwife offered to do it for us) and she had a colouring in book for her about birth, and she showed her the rooms, the taps that turn on without touching them, what some of the things in the room were, they sat in the bean bag together... etc... it just helped to make the room more familiar. and then we just sat in there and coloured in for a while... maybe you might find a midwife at your BC who will do that for you?

meitaimama · #6 (**permalink**) 16-12-2007, 09:57 PM

Thanks for all the advice - I like the idea of using still pics too, as I know I can dig out several from books on natural birth. I loved that link to the article on siblings at the birth!

kadownie · #7 (**permalink**) 16-12-2007, 09:58 PM

I second 'The Big Stretch' it was my twins fav DVD for awhile. They have seen a lot of birth as I am a doula- and they love it- so exciting for them. I wish that they could have been at the birth of my latest bub...next time hopefully (OMG I'm saying next time already.

also- you'd be suprised how much 'hello Baby' can help- I read that to the twins most days for a few months leading up to my birth- and Ellie ended up being very awake while I was in labour (very quick labour)- when she talks about it now she uses the same words that they use in the book (yelling and screaming) and at the time she just seemed to know that although I was making heaps of noise, and crying - you know how it is- she was fine and accepting and didn't freak out!

Craig&Kel · #8 (**permalink**) 16-12-2007, 10:15 PM

Oh I am going to follow this thread with interest... I think it is so lovely to give birth with your children around.
I remember a book by Sheila Kitzinger, (I think thats how you spell it), I think it is called 'Being Born'. My mum had it when my younger bro and sis were being born, we loved it. It's not a movie preparation for birth, but it was a nice book to follow the progress of pregnancy.