Famous Movie Birth Scenes

Reality Check: Knocked Up: This is one of the very few movies, besides Robert Altman's little-seen Dr. T and the Women, that shows a baby's head "crowning." And it's that very realistic scene that reportedly caused Anne Hathaway to drop out of the film. Katherine Heigl obviously didn't have any problems with it, and for an actress who's never had any children, she did a pretty amazing job grunting, moaning, swearing, sweating and pushing.

Of course her baby looks two months old, but so do all movie newborns. However, don't think that if at the last minute your OB is out of town that some random OB you interviewed once will come to the rescue. He won't. Unless he's your uncle or best friend's father. You will most likely have to see his back-up or whatever attending OB is on call. And never fear, most hospitals don't let random friends just walk in while you're pushing.

Reality Check: She's Having a Baby: One of the first films I remember tackling the issue of infertility, this '80s dramedy also features one of the scariest birth scenes. At first everything is funny and light. Elizabeth McGovern stereotypically tells husband Kevin Bacon that "it's time," and he rushes out of the driveway, leaving her behind. After they get to the hospital, there are the predictable hoots, "hee-hee-hoo-hoos," and hollers, and your basic movie delivery... until something goes wrong.

All of a sudden everything is a whirl, Kevin Bacon is told there's an emergency, and he's not allowed to follow his frightened wife to the operating room. How much has changed in 20 years! Even if you do need an emergency C-section, your partner will be allowed in once you have been prepped in the OR. Partners aren't expected to nervously pace in waiting rooms.

Reality Check: Rosemary's Baby: Even if your partner hasn't sold his soul and allowed you to be drugged and raped by the devil, there are lessons to be learned from this horror classic regarding pregnancy and birth. For first-time mothers, there's always a possibility that nosy friends, relatives or neighbors might want to micro-manage your pregnancy. Don't let them! And if your OB suggests you never speak to anyone about your pregnancy, prescribes you drink smelly herbal tinctures without telling you the ingredients, and otherwise creeps you out, switch health care professionals stat! And unless you have a C-section, there is no reason you'll be so out of it during birth. Poor Rosemary (Mia Farrow) indeed.

Reality Check: The Fly: Geena Davis nails the sweaty pushing part, but unless you've somehow managed to successfully mate with an insect, I can confidently state that there's no chance you'll ever have to give birth to a giant larva. Big sigh of relief, huh? But the sweaty pushing -- yeah, it's real.