Birth on TV: A Far Cry from Reality
Let’s talk about birth as it’s shown on TV. You know the scenes—frantic rushes to the hospital, women screaming at the top of their lungs, doctors barking orders, and babies arriving within minutes. It’s dramatic, sure, but also wildly misleading.
Unfortunately, these portrayals do more than entertain—they shape our perceptions of birth, and not in a good way. By constantly depicting birth as an emergency-level crisis, TV has created a culture of fear around one of the most natural processes our bodies are designed for.
Birth Isn’t an Episode of Grey’s Anatomy
First off, birth is not this hyper-medicalized, screaming mess that we see on screen. Most labors don’t happen in five minutes flat, and not every birth involves a dramatic plot twist or a shouting match with your partner. In reality, birth is a process—a slow, steady, and often calm progression that can take hours (or even days).
These TV tropes fail to show the incredible power and resilience of birthing women. Instead, they present birth as something terrifying and chaotic, leaving little room for the truth: birth can be beautiful, empowering, and even peaceful.
Fear Equals Pain
Here’s where things get serious: the fear generated by these depictions doesn’t just stay on the couch. It seeps into real-life attitudes about birth. Many expectant parents walk into labor already terrified, convinced it’s going to be the worst pain imaginable because that’s what they’ve seen their whole lives.
But here’s the kicker: fear actually makes birth harder.
When you’re afraid, your body goes into fight-or-flight mode, releasing stress hormones like adrenaline. These hormones interfere with the production of oxytocin, the one you actually need to keep your labor progressing. Fear can make your muscles tense, slow down contractions, and even increase the perception of pain.
So, the more scared you are, the harder and more painful your birth can become. And where does a lot of this fear come from? You guessed it—those TV depictions.
Where Are the Positive Birth Stories?
What if, instead of panic and drama, we saw birth represented for what it truly is—a life-changing, powerful experience? What if TV showed women breathing through contractions, supported by partners and doulas, and feeling in control of their bodies?
Imagine the difference that could make. Expectant parents might approach birth with confidence instead of dread. They’d be more likely to trust their bodies and their care teams. And they’d know that birth doesn’t have to be a battle—it can be a journey.
The Real Story
It’s time to start questioning the narratives we’ve been fed about birth. Real birth is not what you’ve seen on TV. It’s not all screaming, chaos, and emergency interventions. It’s a deeply personal experience that looks different for everyone—but it’s almost never as terrifying as Hollywood would have you believe.
To all the women reading this, I encourage you to prepare for your birth by surrounding yourself with positive birth stories and messages. Fill your mind with empowering examples of what birth can truly be.
If you’re looking for support, check out my services at Emma’s Antenatal. Whether it’s through my antenatal classes, pregnancy massage services, or birth doula support, I’m here to help you build confidence and create a birth experience that feels right for you.
Because when we change the story, we change the experience.