Banned at Birth: Maryland Hospital Bars Delivery Room Pictures and Video

Dec. 29, 2010 — -- Laurie Shifler, pregnant with her eighth child, is preparing for a birth different from her seven previous experiences after her Maryland hospital banned photography and video in the delivery room until five minutes after the baby is born.

"My family has taken pictures of every single one of my children when they were seconds old. I have pictures of all seven of them on my chest, that new look, that new human being that you just brought into the world," Shifler said.

The hospital, Meritus Medical Center, formerly known as Washington County Hospital, implemented its policy Nov. 1.

"We felt it enabled the physician, midwives and staff to focus on the safety and health of the mom and the newborn and that it still allowed the cutting of the cord and photo opportunities of mom with baby," Mary Stuart Rizk, spokesperson for Meritus Medical Center, said.

The hospital, located in Hagerstown, said that it decided on the policy after surveying several hospitals in the region. Meritus said that the policy does not stem from lawsuits but from concern about mother and child.

Still, Shifler, who works as a photographer, feels like the ban on picture taking encroaches upon her family's rights. Many of her children have been in the delivery room as their new sibling was added to the family, snapping pictures of their new brother or sister.

'They've gotten beautiful pictures and they've loved every second of it," Shifler said. "How can you tell someone you can't take a picture of your own child?" she said.

Shifler's husband, a police officer, has been the one behind the lens taking those family photos.

"He's just as upset as I am. ... What's next, the father can't be in the delivery room?" she said.

Rizk, the hospital spokesperson, said that the hospital has received only one formal complaint since implementing the policy.

"We heard from one expectant mother in late September to complain about the pending policy change," Rizk said. "We have not had a single patient complaint since we implemented the policy on Nov. 1."

Shifler said that many moms might not be aware of the policy. She found out by accident.

"Some friends told me and so I started checking," Shifler said. "I e-mailed a representative of the hospital and I had someone from the hospital call me. ... I was shocked. I couldn't actually believe that she was serious."