Birth images can be confronting, but they are informative. They show women the variations of normal in birth scenarios and is crucial to informing women surrounding their choices in birth. By showing birth in it's rawest form for learning purposes, this enables women to ask their care providers about choices during their own birth. It also enables them to ask questions...because what they saw in a birth image may have been different to what is socially normal. Facebook and Instagram's community standards need to be revisited and revised. It is stated that they allow images of nudity for learning purposes yet birth photographers work is being banned around the world daily.
Here is a snippet regarding nudity taken straight from Facebook about nudity-
"Nudity
People sometimes share content containing nudity for reasons such as awareness campaigns or artistic projects. We restrict the display of nudity because some audiences within our global community may be sensitive to this type of content – particularly because of their cultural background or age. In order to treat people fairly and respond to reports quickly, it is essential that we have policies in place that our global teams can apply uniformly and easily when reviewing content. As a result, our policies can sometimes be more blunt than we would like and restrict content shared for legitimate purposes. We are always working to get better at evaluating this content and enforcing our standards.
We remove photographs of people displaying genitals or focusing in on fully exposed buttocks. We also restrict some images of female breasts if they include the nipple, but we always allow photos of women actively engaged in breastfeeding or showing breasts with post-mastectomy scarring. We also allow photographs of paintings, sculptures and other art that depicts nude figures. Restrictions on the display of both nudity and sexual activity also apply to digitally created content unless the content is posted for educational, humorous or satirical purposes. Explicit images of sexual intercourse are prohibited. Descriptions of sexual acts that go into vivid detail may also be removed."
So Facebook (who also owns Instagram, so the same rules apply) will allow me to post an image of a nude obese woman or man, and make fun of her/him...because it is considered satirical or humorous? Birth images are educational, empowering, and normal. Here are a list of a few images that have been removed from Facebook, Instagram, and photography competitions for being considered 'too graphic' 'nudity' 'pornographic in nature' and we have even be reported and removed on the basis of 'violent'. Seriously?
Since when did the human race become so repulsed by our own existence? Since when did men and women think that the female anatomy is inappropriate to look at when it is not in the context of sex? Why is it, I can allow my nearly teenage daughter to wear Abercombie and Fitch when they choose to market their clothing in sexual ways? Since when did body shaming become acceptable?
When education stopped. That's when. When we taught our children that our penis' and vagina's are called our 'privates' or 'willie' or 'pee pee' or 'vajayjay.' When we became so ashamed that we can't even say the word vagina or penis out loud in a closed room and not feel awkward...by ourselves. This is when it happened.
Is it ok that we can let our sons get on the internet to look at cars and motorbikes and see our bodies (YOUR BODY LADIES!) explicitly on display...
Or allow my nearly teenager to go do some online shopping for clothing and see Abercrombie and Fitch ads...
Will wearing their clothes make you any sexier?
Hungry...lets stop by Hungry Jacks and get a 7 incher!!! Promised to BLOW YOUR MIND...
SEX IS EVERYWHERE!
Now, why is it, that when we post an image of what the female body is intended to do, everyone gets their knickers in a knot? Why is it inappropriate? How come our work gets reported.
Education. It goes back to education. That's why. We are being reported for seeing private parts and unless you call the groin and pubic area genetalia we need to have an anatomy class.
Let me start with vagina.
The term vagina is from Latin vāgīnae, literally "sheath" or "scabbard"; the Latinate plural of vagina is vaginae.[1] The vagina may also be referred to as "the birth canal" in the context of pregnancy and childbirth.[2][3] Although by its dictionary and anatomical definitions, the term vagina refers exclusively to the specific internal structure, it is colloquially used to refer to the vulva or to both the vagina and vulva.[4][5]
Using the term vagina to mean "vulva" can pose medical or legal confusion; for example, a person's interpretation of its location might not match another person's interpretation of the location.[4][6] Medically, the vagina is the muscular canal between the hymen (or remnants of the hymen) and the cervix, while, legally, it begins at the vulva (between the labia).[4] Scholars such as Craig A. Hill argue that incorrect use of the term vagina is likely because not as much thought goes into into the anatomy of the female genitalia. This has contributed to an absence of correct vocabulary for the external female genitals, even among health professionals, which can pose sexual and psychological harm with regard female development. Because of this, researchers endorse correct terminology for the vulva.[6][7]
What people are seeing in our images is NOT the vagina. It is the vulva, labia, and labia minora (which baby's head is covering 99% of the time) The other thing that you would see would be the pubic area, more specifically the pubis (nothing more one would see in a camel toe.) Offensive. This is what we get.
So what you are actually seeing is the pubis bone as part of the pelvis collectively. Here is what Wiki has to say about the pelvis...
The pelvic skeleton is formed posteriorly (in the area of the back), by the sacrum and the coccyx and laterally and anteriorly (forward and to the sides), by a pair of hip bones. Each hip bone consists of 3 sections, ilium, ischium, and pubis.
Another part of the women's body that is commonly seen in birth images is part of her buttocks. This is what the medical dictionary says about the buttocks-
The prominence formed by the gluteal muscles of either side.
The number one category my work gets reported as is for nudity. Lets look at what Wiki says about nudity-
Nudity, or nakedness, is the state of wearing no clothing.[1] The wearing of clothing is a predominantly human characteristic arising from functional needs such as protection from the elements and from cold temperatures, after the loss of body hair, and migration to colder regions.[2] The amount of clothing worn depends on functional considerations, such as a need for warmth, as well as social circumstances. In some situations, a minimum amount of clothing or none at all may be considered socially acceptable, while in others much more clothing may be expected. Social considerations involve issues of modesty, decency andsocial norms, besides other considerations, and these may depend on the context.
"In some situations a minimum about of clothing or none at all may be considered socially acceptable."
Meaning when scrolling through social media and liking nude memes of women body shaming are 'socially acceptable.' Meaning when at the beach, a woman sun tanning topless is 'socially acceptable.' Or, when having sex (or watching Porn), being nude is 'socially acceptable.' But viewing a woman PARTIALLY nude or completely nude during childbirth is socially UNACCEPTABLE??? When did giving birth become unacceptable. Don't most women birth nude. Shouldn't birth be the one place where nudity is acceptable??? Where do our values lie?
Meaning when scrolling through social media and liking nude memes of women body shaming are 'socially acceptable.' Meaning when at the beach, a woman sun tanning topless is 'socially acceptable.' Or, when having sex (or watching Porn), being nude is 'socially acceptable.' But viewing a woman PARTIALLY nude or completely nude during childbirth is socially UNACCEPTABLE??? When did giving birth become unacceptable. Don't most women birth nude. Shouldn't birth be the one place where nudity is acceptable??? Where do our values lie?
Another report we are commonly reported for is Pornography. Porn...guys? Really? A woman bearing a child is porn? I won't even say it..but if looking at birth images gets you.....
Ok, Wiki on Porn, GO!
Pornography (often abbreviated as "porn" or "porno" in informal usage) is the portrayal of sexual subject matter for the purpose of sexual arousal. Pornography may be presented in a variety of media, including books, magazines, postcards, photographs, sculpture, drawing, painting, animation, sound recording, film, video, and video games. The term applies to the depiction of the act rather than the act itself, and so does not include live exhibitions like sex shows and striptease. The primary subjects of pornographic depictions are pornographic models, who pose for still photographs, and pornographic actors or porn stars, who perform inpornographic films. If dramatic skills are not involved, a performer in a porn film may also be called a model.
So when you look at an image of a birthing mother on her hands and knees you are in fact seeing the bottom of her spine. Not her 'bum.' When you see a mother birthing on her back you are seeing her pubis bone, not her vagina, which is located internally and impossible to see.
Ok, Wiki on Porn, GO!
Pornography (often abbreviated as "porn" or "porno" in informal usage) is the portrayal of sexual subject matter for the purpose of sexual arousal. Pornography may be presented in a variety of media, including books, magazines, postcards, photographs, sculpture, drawing, painting, animation, sound recording, film, video, and video games. The term applies to the depiction of the act rather than the act itself, and so does not include live exhibitions like sex shows and striptease. The primary subjects of pornographic depictions are pornographic models, who pose for still photographs, and pornographic actors or porn stars, who perform inpornographic films. If dramatic skills are not involved, a performer in a porn film may also be called a model.
So when you look at an image of a birthing mother on her hands and knees you are in fact seeing the bottom of her spine. Not her 'bum.' When you see a mother birthing on her back you are seeing her pubis bone, not her vagina, which is located internally and impossible to see.
Since when did these parts of our body become so derogatory? Especially when used in context? When will society wake up? What are we teaching our children?
Here is a collection of the best birth photos from around the world that you will never see because it violates community standards...
"I'm sick of it being okay for people to post sexually suggestive advertisements, and obese naked women dancing for comedic value but it's not okay for the world to see a woman doing what a woman does. The beauty that is birth shouldn't be censored. If you have a problem seeing or having your kids see it but don't have a problem with the half naked woman selling your preteen her jeans then you are the problem. If you're not mature enough to see the beauty that is birth you're damn sure not mature enough to be on facebook/social media in the first place."
Brittney Walker, New Orleans, LA
"The media's portrayal of birth is unrealistic and fear-inducing. Facebook can be a great medium to allow the world to see that a beautiful, sacred act birth can be... and not to fear it but to embrace what women's bodies can do!"
Julia Brown, Australia
"Birth being portrayed negatively in the media is negative for women... birth should be portrayed as healthy, normal, positive + empowering."
Salli Lehtonen, Edgeworth, Lake Macquarie, Australia
"People can benefit so much from being educated on what birth can look like in real life. So many have no idea what actually goes on and its a completely natural function of the human body. Let birth be seen not as something to be censored but something to be celebrated and honored!"
Katie Gaeta, St. Louis, MO
"The double standards on social media regarding the sexuality of the human body and what is and is not acceptable is harmful and absurd. Everyday pornographic images depicting human intercourse or the encouragement of human intercourse is rampant and images as such are scientifically proven to destroy human ability to connect in meaningful and purposeful ways. Yet by banning birth images with reasoning that they are too graphic, too sensational, or even too violent suggests that too many people are out of touch with the reality of life and further promotes the unsaid societal rule that birth is not beautiful and children are not welcome to be seen until they are clean and quiet.
Furthermore, images of birth can help educate and empower women by visually informing them of their options regarding when and how they birth by exposing them to the truth of what is normal versus what and how mainstream media portrays birth as. Doing so also allows opportunity for women in other countries to witness how safe birth can actually be by showing them what healthcare practices look like in counties where infant and maternal mortality rates are low.
So to whom it may concern - stop censoring images of birth and help us change the way birth is seen because birth is good, true, and beautiful. It always has been and it always should be."
Staci Bell, Anaheim, CA
Join together to fight the stigma surrounding birth and the variations of normal to normalize birth.
More info: change.org
multiple bans on FB and IG Image by Krista Evans www.lovebykristaevansphotography.com
removed and banned from FB and IG Image by Angela Gallo www.angelagallo.com
Image by Angela Gallo www.angelagallo.com
Image by Tanya Minotti
Image by Lacey Barratt www.laceybarrattphotography.com
Image by Lacey Barratt www.laceybarrattphotography.com
Image removed and banned from IG and FB Image by Lacey Barratt www.laceybarrattphotography.com
Image removed and banned from IG and FB Image by Lacey Barratt www.laceybarrattphotography.com
Image by Lacey Barratt www.laceybarrattphotography.com
Image by lacey Barratt www.laceybarrattphotography.com
add denied for excessive nudity (breastfeeding images are now allowed) Image by Lacey Barratt www.laceybarrattphotography.com
removed for being too graphic Image by Lacey Barratt www.laceybarrattphotography.com
removed for violence on facebook Image by Katie Fiorillo www.sugarimages.com
Image by Lacey Barratt www.laceybarrattphotography.com
Removed from shoot and share contest for being too graphic Image by Monet Montouri www.monetnicole.com
removed from shoot and share contest for being to graphic Image by Jennifer Mason http://jennifermasonphotography.com
Removed from Shoot and share Contest for being too graphic Image by Jennifer Mason http://jennifermasonphotography.com
Image by Lacey Barratt
Removed from Instagram Image by Rana Rankin layout by Rockstar Birth Magazine (Shalom Doran)
Image by Amey Bencke Removed from Facebook for pornography Www.breathebirth.com.au
