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Old 03-09-2015, 00:22
PRITHVI
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When an actress gives birth on a show, how do they actually do it?

I mean they have to have the actress with her legs apart and the midwives looking to see if baby is coming but what does the actress/actor playing the person delivering actually see??!!

Weird question but something I've always wondered and that has been re-ignited with the pictures of
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Old 03-09-2015, 00:39
CollieWobbles
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I've often wondered this myself when you see pictures of upcoming plots with birth scenes. I assume that under the gown/clothing, the actress has on shorts or some kind of skin coloured trousers just shorter than the gown itself to give the illusion of there being nothing there. If I was an actress I could not imagine anything more embarrassing to film than birth scenes even if I was wrapped up like an arctic explorer. I can't think of any other way they do it, perhaps someone with insider info can enlighten us. I used to wonder how they added a moving baby in on scan scenes with a non pregnant actress.
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Old 03-09-2015, 14:18
PRITHVI
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Yes fingers crossed somepne on the know can explain!!
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Old 03-09-2015, 14:26
Pink_Smurf
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I've often wondered this myself when you see pictures of upcoming plots with birth scenes. I assume that under the gown/clothing, the actress has on shorts or some kind of skin coloured trousers just shorter than the gown itself to give the illusion of there being nothing there. If I was an actress I could not imagine anything more embarrassing to film than birth scenes even if I was wrapped up like an arctic explorer. I can't think of any other way they do it, perhaps someone with insider info can enlighten us. I used to wonder how they added a moving baby in on scan scenes with a non pregnant actress.
I've thought it would be embarrassing to act out too even if I was under a duvet or blanket etc. The actresses who pull it off do really well. I wouldn't be able to keep a straight face and would be blushing so much the make - up person would be on me! I think they would wear shorts or cropped cycling shorts to protect the actress's modesty. One thing I'd find hard is kissing scenes too.
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Old 03-09-2015, 17:32
SepangBlue
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The most realistic birth scenes are those we see on Call the Midwife, but even those are only impressions of what's happened. Clever use of lighting and camera angles together with fastidious post production editing all combine to create the illusion.

At no point do we actually see the midwife's fingers manipulating the mother's labia or inserting forceps to aid the delivery where appropriate!

As an aside, the pregnant tummy for ultrasound scenes is easily achieved by the use of a prosthetic abdomen placed over the actress' own tummy, colour blended by the make-up department to match the actress' skin colour.

As with most things on film or TV, the art of illusion is alive and well. When it's expertly done we are easily drawn into the illusion, largely because we've been set up by the drama to believe it's actually happening.
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Old 03-09-2015, 22:12
lucy-lou
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Haha....what a great question and something I suppose I've never really thought about!!

As has been said I would think some sort of shorts would be in order!

Either that or there's some midwife playing actors/actresses who have copped an eyeful!!
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Old 03-09-2015, 22:16
gwenda
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When was the last time a soap pregnancy went full term with a normal delivery? E.g. no premature labour, no birth in a cafe or elevator etc...
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Old 03-09-2015, 22:27
Keren-Happuch
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When was the last time a soap pregnancy went full term with a normal delivery? E.g. no premature labour, no birth in a cafe or elevator etc...
Debbie with Jack? She gave birth full term and in a hospital from what I can remember. Although half her family were there - in reality, they would never have been let in.

I very much doubt the actress who plays Vanessa had her muff out for all and sundry to see! Although the thought is very amusing. Anyway, she doesn't need to even take her underwear off. Amy managed it without even taking her leggings/tights off, or whatever she was wearing.
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