[MommaColleen]

We are undecided if our 10 & 12 year olds should be present at the birth of their sister. I think if I get some videos and allow them to watch it might give me an idea if they are "ready" to handle it.

Both my previous 2 births were easy and relatively quick. We are thinking of allowing them to be in the room (up at my head) but my MIL will be outside if they can't handle it or something were to go wrong. But, I feel they need to be prepared for what is going to be happening as it is NOTHING like the sitcom births they have seen in the past.

Can anyone recommend a few kid level videos I can purchase? I did a google search but did not find any that seemed age appropriate.

[SueR]

"Kid level" videos suffer from the same disadvantage as "sitcom" deliveries; lack of reality. I don't think that's going to be a good barometer of what they can handle. Get a real, honest to God video that shows what birth really looks like, and see if they still want to attend.

[wanttobemommy]

you might actually have to watch them. Also it depends on how much you want to see. this is a video i found but it is VERY g rated and my sound card is broken so i am unaware of what audio is on here. But this is pretty much a top of bed veiw only

http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...al+birth&hl=en

[MiracleBaby06]

do u have the tlc or discovery health channel? they have shows that show real births that are on everyday

[kimchee67]

You also might want to check out a video from your hospital if they have an educational resource center. They might even offer a class for older siblings.

[QueenAngie]

Kristin, I watched that video and it does a wonderful job of showing the birth
from the head of the bed.
The music is very touching too.

[angelic_ky]

haven't looked at the link Kristin posted but i think i'll watch it while DH is around

my cousin was just under 10 when she watched her mother give birth and she was fine with it... i remember when i was about 5 or 6 mum was watching something with a woman given birth (doco of some sort) and she called me into the room to watch it, vaginal view, it didn't seem to affect me in a negative way and i'm glad that i watched it

[wanna be a young mother]

Yeah TLC's a Birth story is very Pg13 and still shows what women go through! Discovery channel has Birth shows running all day on certain channels. If you have cable then you might want to tape them if your not home. They seem to play them during the day only!

[SueR]

Originally Posted by angelic_ky

i remember when i was about 5 or 6 mum was watching something with a woman given birth (doco of some sort) and she called me into the room to watch it, vaginal view, it didn't seem to affect me in a negative way and i'm glad that i watched it

Good heavens, why would anyone with any common sense think it would affect anyone in a negative way?

[angelic_ky]

just some ppl feel that showing a young child that kind of stuff it would freak them out, make them scared to have their own children etc