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A Childbirth educator is calling on Facebook to stop censoring images after her social media page was deleted because her posts were deemed too graphic.

Vicki Hobbs said she had been unable to access her Facebook page for the past fortnight after five images and videos of childbirth she posted were either reported or picked up on by Facebook’s censors.

Three of the photos posted by Ms Hobbs were taken by internationally renowned birth photographer Belle Verdiglione, who is also from Perth. Two of the photos won Ms Verdiglione a WA Epson Professional Photography Award.

So what images are causing issues? *warning* explicit images below.

birth photos 1
This is the perfect video showing a baby born with the amniotic sac fully intact (baby born en caul).
Via: Vicki Hobbs – Back to Basics Birthing
birth photos 2
Incredible video of perineum stretching, head emerging, baby rotating and slipping out into the world with the long umbilical cord wrapped around baby. No stress, no rush, no immediate clamping or cutting.
Via: Vicki Hobbs – Back to Basics Birthing

Banned!

Ms Hobbs said she was initially given a 24-hour ban by Facebook over the images and videos.

“Then that next day I noticed the images had all been blurred. You had to click on a link to uncover the image,” she told nine.com.au.

“I thought, that’s great. There will be no more problems and it gives everyone a choice.”

“But 24 hours later I got reported again, or Facebook’s bots picked up these same images again. They basically just sent me an email saying my Facebook page had been unpublished.

“I could still actually see my Facebook page at that stage but other people couldn’t. Then the next day it was just completely gone, I couldn’t see anything.”

According to Facebook’s guidelines for nudity, exceptions can be made when the purpose of a post is to “raise awareness about a cause or for educational or medical reasons”.

Educational!

Ms Hobbs said her posts clearly fell under the category of education.

Ms Hobbs said she hoped Facebook would consider making changes to its platform to allow users to blur their own photos – which their followers can then choose to uncover – as is currently an option on Instagram.

“There is a huge grey area here. We have these standards and we have these guidelines. But birth education is education. We need to have that option to blur those images so it doesn’t offend anyone who doesn’t want to see them,” she said.

Facebook responds

After nine.com.au contacted Facebook, the social media giant investigated Ms Hobbs’ case and determined her page had been taken down in error.

“Our Community Standards are designed to create a safe environment where people feel free to express themselves. While we have clear rules restricting nudity, we do of course understand that nudity can be shared for a variety of reasons, including to share birthing and breastfeeding moments, and we have developed our nudity policies over time to allow for this,” a Facebook spokesperson said.

“In this case, our proactive detection tools mistakenly identified some of the birthing content on Vicki Hobbs’ Page as violating and removed it, causing her page to be disabled.

We have restored the content and the page, and we’re sorry for any inconvenience caused. We’re proud that people like Vicki use Facebook to grow their business and bring communities together to share their experiences.”

More amazing images that we think you will WANT to see.

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

“Perfection!” writes @fertilugo . . Stunning photographs by @doularinarebolledo . . #thelanguageofbirth #peekingthrough A post shared by Stepha Lawson (@thelanguageofbirth) on

Do you agree that these birth images should not be seen on social media? Share your comments below.

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  • I wouldnt want these things popping up when i wasnt expecting it so they should be restricted viewing and a persons choice if they wish to view them or not.

    Reply

  • I can understand they would be a bit confronting if you weren’t expecting it and they popped up in your news feed but I don’t think that something as natural and normal as giving birth should be banned like that. Surely some compromise, like a warning about graphic content, could be reached?

    Reply

  • It is up to an individual whether they want to post birth images or not. I believe these are just beautiful images of a baby entering the world. Showing the bond that exists between a mother and child is just breathtaking. Once our little ones enter this world we would do anything for them and protect them from everything.

    Reply

  • I personally wouldn’t post my own birth photos of any social media sites however I do think what is any different to any thing else that is posted. All social media sites have an age limit and those ages limit os usually high enough that those teenagers understand where babies come from. If you don’t want to look at the photos just scroll on

    Reply

  • People post everything on social media these days. Nothing is sacred anymore. I think that having a baby is beautiful and these pictures/videos are actually beautiful but you wouldn’t see me posting any of these.

    Reply

  • While I would not put up photos of myself giving birth (and don’t have any) I think these photos are amazing and I don’t see any issue with them being on social media.

    Reply

  • I definitely think you should have a choice to whether or not you want to see birth photos. I like how they are censored but can choose to view if you wish.

    Reply

  • Childbirth Is a beautiful and empowering experience. While I would not publicly share my own birth photos I do like to see beautiful photos showing how amazing the women’s body is and how amazing seeing a babies first moment is. While I understand not everyone would like to see them on social media I have no issues at all with it.

    Reply

  • I personally wouldn’t be putting up my birth photos (and don’t have any) and I don’t want to look at other peoples birth photos either. I didn’t even notice the first picture was a birth photo or related to birthing I thought it was toy.

    Reply

  • I don’t have any issues with this being on social media , giving birth is natural. These photos are wonderful. Those who are offended easily should probably stay off social media

    Reply

  • I personally think these are very private images. I understand they may be used for educational purposes, but then think the said facebook group should be private and as someone suggested, pictures blurred and the viewer then has a choice to view them.

    Reply

  • Definitely a personal choice but to be taken down many times how frustrating. I think having the images blurred and can be clicked on for those that wish to see if a perfect solution for all.

    Reply

  • Yeah i am not sure I’m a fan of this and Facebook tends to be more sensitive

    Reply

  • Some people cannot stomach childbirth let alone graphic pictures. I think pictures are best kept in one’s own privacy.

    Reply

  • Birth is such a beautiful and empowering thing to experience. These pictures take you back and Facebook shouldn’t be censoring this

    Reply

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