Louise (Admin)
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NHS Defends 'Shocking' Schoolgirl Birth Video© Sky News 2009
An NHS trust has defended its decision to release a web video of a schoolgirl giving birth that is so shocking it has been banned by YouTube.
NHS Leicester said the footage of a schoolgirl having a baby on a playing field was designed to deliberately "shock" and "provoke" young people.
After the video was posted on a number of sites it was viewed by more than 70,000 people and attracted many complaints before being removed by YouTube.
The video is deliberately filmed to look like amateur mobile phone footage, although it ends with a slogan from the campaign to reduce the high rate of teenage pregnancy in the city.
Tim Rideout, chief executive of NHS Leicester City, told Sky News: "We know this film is hard-hitting, but so are the numbers of under-18s getting pregnant in Leicester.
"The city's Teenage Pregnancy and Parenthood Partnership has been successful in cutting the numbers of young girls getting pregnant.
"But to make a long-term difference we need more education on safe sex."
The Trust said the "happy slapping"-style video was made after teenagers in the city told them conventional health education campaigns made little difference to their attitudes.
Leicester has a higher-than-average teenage pregnancy rate, with one in 20 young girls falling pregnant.
Even though YouTube has supposedly removed the "viral" video, a version of it entitled "Teenage Kicks" is still available on the site, with the following explanation:
"Teenagers filming fights on their camera phones is as old as happy slapping, but this footage from a school in Leicester is pretty shocking by anyone's standards."
The posting has attracted many responses, not all of them complimentary. But some among them support the project.
"I think you lot are beginning to take this problem seriously," wrote one user.
Another said the footage "looks scary" but is "a good idea".
The trust claimed it decided to take the shock approach after the young people it asked said they wanted something memorable to get the message across.
While there is little doubt the video fulfils that objective, it is likely to be some time before we know whether the project will succeed in reducing pregnancy rates.
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Dolly Dimple
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I watched it this morning and thought WOW...... Yes its shocking but it really gets the message over!!
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Saftlad
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Anything that stops kids getting pregnant is ok by me.
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Lady Rachel
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I've just watched it and it was a little shocking....will it help.... 
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gellarbing
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i saw it this morning and it was very shocking, lets just hope it works
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hakkie
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what is the link to it?
I would like to see it.
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Dolly Dimple
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| hakkie wrote: | what is the link to it?
I would like to see it. |
PM'd ya
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Midgie
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I haven't seen the video; however, I am wondering:
What is shocking about a birth? Was it a real birth? Was it dramatized?
I think it is kind of sad for the mother if it was a real birth...someone exploited her first moments of motherhood (which can actually set the entire tone for the relationship between mother and child) in order to have shock value that may or may not work. Did she want to give birth on a playing field...or was that the campaign's idea?
I was a pregnant teen; I loved that baby just as much as any other mother would love her child. Yet, many adults didn't see the love I had for my baby. They only saw my age. Although the girls may be young, it doesn't mean that they value their pregnancy experience any less than wed mothers or mothers who planned their pregnancies. I just see this as sad if it were a real birth. The campaign could have used some other means to try to shock teens into not having relations.
Like I said...I haven't yet seen the video, but thought I would share my view point of just the thought of it.
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Dolly Dimple
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It wasn't a real birth it's a short clip to try to put teenagers off having babies.
The UK has the largest teenager pregnancy rate in the whole of Europe - it really is a big issue over here.
I'll PM you the link.... Please be aware that its a shock tactic and not an attack on young mums xxxx
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Midgie
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Ohhh...now I understand. All I kept thinking was that they filmed a real girl really giving birth. Just the thought of that made me sad as the days I gave birth were the best days of my entire life (even when I was young and unwed...).
Thank you for explaining. I do agree that more could be done to help girls before they become pregnant. I also believe the ones that do become pregnant need more support than what they generally receive.
These are just my views :D I know that not every one agrees with me...I think it is great that we can all share our viewpoints even when we may differ! I do love this forum as it is such a safe place to speak our thoughts :D :D Thank you again Louise for making this such a positive, encouraging place!
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Dolly Dimple
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I was just 20 when I had my first child - not married but with the daddy and was for a total of 18 yrs. We had nowhere to live as my parents moved away when I was midterm pregnancy, which left me without a job as I worked for them. So I slept on a friends floor for a few months until I found a flat. The relationship with my ex was dreadful and violent but I fought to keep my baby  He stayed at his parents whilst I was sleeping on the floor (how nice of him)
I look back now and think OMG how on earth did I cope, but I did. I wouldn't change anything as it made me the person I am today.
My first baby is now 22, 6ft 2 and I love him so, so, so, so much 
Ohhhhh I binned the dad in 2001 
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Saftlad
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I was married at 18 and my eldest son was born with a broken arm 
He was trying to hang on till after the weddding 
I binned my ex in 1988 and still can't get rid of her  
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angel101
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I dont think this video is shocking.
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Dolly Dimple
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I hope the video doesn't get binned as I feel it really does 'hit home'.....
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Dolly Dimple
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I met my first hubby when I was 17 and God did I know it all (NOT)
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FlakeySugarButt
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I had my first baby at 19.
I love her to bit and wouldn't change a thing but I would not want her to do the same.
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Dolly Dimple
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Same for me Flakey
My eldest would love a baby but his girlfriend said 'NO WAY'. My other son wants kids but not until he's in his 30's and my daughter told me she doesn't want children I'm sure she'll change her mind but for now its her worst nightmare!!
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