When the contractions kick in, dignity tends to go out the window for most pregnant women, but it helps to know that only your nearest and dearest and a few trusted professionals are there to witness it.
But what if those trusted professionals were snapping selfies for their own social media accounts as they delivered your baby?
As part of a shocking new trend, doctors and nurses are posting images from the labour ward and operating theatre to Instagram using hashtags such as #obstetrics, #OB, #hospital and #deliveryroom.
A rockstar is born. #obstetrics #gynecology #OB #doctor #hospital #operatingroom #OR #LR #deliveryroom #NSD #fourthdegree #episiotomy #episiorrhapy A photo posted by Mario A. Manaor Jr. (@mariojrmanaor) on
The trend came to light after 5,000 people signed a petition to have student doctor Daniel Sanchez, from Venezuela, face disciplinary action after he posted this grossly inappropriate photograph (censored by HerFamily.ie) to his Instagram page, along with the caption:
“Lady I can deliver your baby but first let me take a selfie,”
The petition calls on the hospital to investigate the violation of the patient’s rights, labeling the incident ‘obstetric violence’.
Sanchez has since apologised, but claims that he did nothing wrong because (wait for it) “you cannot see her genitals or her face”.
While we couldn’t find any evidence of this occurring in Irish hospitals, it does raise some important questions, specifically: why would any doctor, anywhere, ever deem it appropriate to take a photo of a patient without their knowledge?
According to the Irish Medical Council Guide to Professional Conduct and Ethics, patients must always be treated with respect for their dignity. Doctors are required to ensure “as far as possible” that the patient’s privacy is maintained at all times.
The broad selection of images being posted on Instagram daily suggests the social media explosion may have skewed the way in which some doctors view the rules.
While it’s all in a day’s work for a midwife or obstetrician, giving birth is an immensely private and personal experience for a woman. And one that should never appear on a stranger’s Instagram.
Is it time to ask hospital staff to check their smartphones at the door? Let us know on Twitter @HerFamilydotie #HerFamChats.
