The ongoing effort to improve the country’s demographic outlook has sparked debate about how birth is portrayed in media. Voices from medicine and psychology have urged caution, with psychologist Zara Harutyunyan arguing that explicit birth scenes should not be shown to young viewers, particularly female students, in films.
Her concerns are straightforward: portrayals of childbirth in popular series could unsettle expectant mothers, trigger anxiety, and possibly dampen birth rates. Even without formal psychology credentials, many readers can sense how fear of pain can influence decisions about motherhood.
Experience shows that the unknown is often scarier than the known. The dentist analogy helps: people avoid visits, yet life sometimes forces them to go. A few may grumble about dentists, but their ranks are small.
How should birth be discussed? Love, hope, and family happiness are central. Some wonder how a TV moment—such as a fictional birth in Friends—could influence real life. The fear cited by Harutyunyan centers on screams, pain, and the expressions on the actor’s face.
TV scenes tend to soften the details, aiming to spare viewers. Yet many say that missing realistic details can leave audiences unprepared.
Past reactions to birth depictions have not helped demographic goals; indeed misinformation can undermine confidence.
A first birth two decades ago illustrates the problem, since the knowledge gap created lasting stress for many families. Back then, antenatal care rarely included practical guidance on breathing, contractions, or dilation; patients learned during labor, often at great cost.
The hardest part was the uncertainty rather than the pain. There was little explanation about what was happening, limited support, and no clear information about medications or the timeline.
One young mother recalls feeling powerless and alone for nearly a day of labor. The experience left a lasting scar, and she avoided birth scenes in films altogether.
Her mother described birth as the scariest event she had faced.
Attitudes toward childbirth have shifted dramatically in recent years. Across North America, major changes in education and perinatal care have reduced traumatic experiences in the process.
Today, expectant families know that birth is painful but manageable. Advances in obstetric care show that it can be prepared for and guided, with appropriate pain relief and supportive, respectful care.
Forewarned and forearmed is the motto for many parents, and information about what to expect has become commonplace rather than taboo.
Modern parents recognize the value of planning for pain relief, effective positions, and the support of healthcare professionals who treat patients with dignity.
Many men now prepare with their partners for parenthood, strengthening families and encouraging maturity. Open discussion about childbirth benefits everyone.
Open conversation about birth helps couples grow closer and makes the experience less scary for all involved.
Opinions around childbirth vary, and not every publication echoes every reader’s view.