The birth of a new baby is an exciting time in every family's life.  The following instructions are to help you plan for appropriate use of still cameras and video cameras during your stay at Martha Jefferson Hospital.

A designated family member, friend or support person may photograph your labor and post-birth events at the discretion of your doctor, midwife or other healthcare providers.  No professional photographer may be engaged by you to take photographs and no tripods (or the equivalent) may be used.  Our goal is to center our full attention on caring for you and your newborn.  Please ask your designated photographer to respect the staff's needs to provide care and their right to request that no photographs of themselves be taken.

Videotaping of the actual birth, either vaginal or cesarean is not permitted.  During a vaginal birth, still photographs from the head of your bed may be taken.  No perineal views are to be photographed.  In the Operating Room, all photography is prohibited during the actual birth; but, at the discretion of the health care team still photos can be taken after the baby is born.

Upon or very soon after admission, as appropriate, you and your designated photographer will be requested to sign a Consent for Use of Cameras During Labor and Delivery.  Please stress to your photographer this is your birth experience and their activity must not take the focus off of you.  Also, please explain to them that they can be asked to stop taking photos/videotaping at any time and they must comply immediately. 

We are excited and pleased that you will be delivering your baby at Martha Jefferson Hospital.  We are here to support you and enhance your birthing experience in any way possible.