Mothers afraid of missing the wondrous moment their child is born are now opting for clear drapes so they can watch c-section births as they happen.
Women receiving c-sections are typically unconscious or shielded behind a thick curtain, but a flood of expectant parents want to have a closer look at the miracle of childbirth.
Before the caesarean takes place, a clear drape is placed across a birthing mother’s stomach so they can watch in awe as the doctors gently remove their child from their uterus.
Women receiving c-sections are typically unconscious or shielded behind a thick curtain, but a flood of expectant parents want to have a closer look at the miracle of childbirth
Before the caesarean takes place a clear drape is placed across a birthing mother’s stomach so they can watch in awe as the doctors gently remove their child from their uterus
While c-sections are a less-than-glamorous birthing method which most women don’t envisage for childbirth, the clear drapes are a new way to keep the mother as involved as humanly possible.
Dozens of photographers around the world, including Alyssa Leon of Cherry Blossom Doula Services and Neely from Ker-Fox Photography have perfectly captured the beautiful moment a woman sees her child for the first time through these innovative transparent screens.
On some occasions the woman’s partner has been photographed crouching down alongside the mother watching as the newborn baby is lifted into the air, Lion King style.
It is a far more empowering and inclusive birthing process for women which is becoming a trend within Australian hospitals.
Liz Wilkes, spokesperson for Midwives Australia, told FEMAIL she has noticed an increase in mothers wanting a more powerful voice during childbirth.
The clear drapes are a new way to keep the mother as involved as humanly possible (Stock image)
It is a far more empowering and inclusive birthing process for women which is becoming a trend within Australian hospitals (Stock image)
‘With the higher rate of c-sections across the country women are looking to make a range of different choices to try and be more included,’ Liz explained.
‘I haven’t seen a lot of clear drapes but I have seen many mothers wanting to have the drapes put up and down at particular junctions during the process.’
Traditionally, a new mother is forced to wait for a period of time after the invasive surgery before their first contact with a newborn baby.
But Liz said skin-on-skin contact between mother and child is now occurring far earlier.
‘This was never so common with cesareans but it is more common that the baby is burst from the mum and put straight onto the chest,’ she said.
‘With the higher rate of c-sections across the country women are looking to make a range of different choices to try and be more included,’ Liz explained (Stock image)
‘That way, when women have a say, they tend to feel stronger and better about the process and if that’s the case we tend to see less problems in adjustment to mothering when the baby is born.’
The sense of wonder and empowerment birthing mothers are gifted while watching their own child’s arrival into the world also decreases the likelihood of post-traumatic stress disorder.
‘When women feel dis-empowered during birth the chances of PTSD can be far higher, and Australia has a really high rate of mothers suffering PTSD and post-natal depression,’ Liz added.
‘These kinds of choices, clear drapes or drape removal, are a way to alleviate those post-birth issues.’