How would you like a strange professional poking around your lady bits while you give birth to your baby? I’m not talking about your doctor, but a photographer hired to document your labour and delivery in a growing trend known as birth photography. The need is there… I suppose. If only doctors, the expectant mother and father are in the delivery room, who’s there to take pictures of both parents with their newborn? Or, while Dad is passing out and Mom is screaming in agony, who will capture the little one’s first breath on film? But I’m not sure photographers have a place in the delivery room. They’re professionals, yes. Pregnant women are forced to become comfortable with strangers seeing them in all states of undress, of course. I’m sure graphic shots aren’t on the agenda, but I still feel a photographer doesn’t need to be next to me while I’m spread eagle in stirrups. Plus, grandparents, aunts and uncles will undoubtedly be in attendance a mere hour after the baby’s born, pending a smooth delivery. I’m not on Instagram and I prefer to live my life rather than document it. I don’t have the best memory, but I know the birth of my future children is something I’ll remember, photograph or not. It’s common for parents to hire photographers for a session with their newborn. That I’m on board with. Women will even have a pro snap images of their baby bumps for an added artistic touch. Not for me, but to each his own. Would you hire a professional to photograph your childbirth? Here are five more ways to document your pregnancy. (Photo courtesy Stockvault)