Last night I went to see a screening of (http://thebusinessofbeingborn.com) The Business of Being Born. As you can see on the link, it's a documentary, by Abby Epstein and Ricki Lake (yes, that Ricki Lake) about birth -- the past, present, and problems with birth in the US.
From the movie's website: "Birth: it’s a miracle. A rite of passage. A natural part of life. But more than anything, birth is a business. Compelled to find answers after a disappointing birth experience with her first child, actress Ricki Lake recruits filmmaker Abby Epstein to examine and question the way American women have babies. The film interlaces intimate birth stories with surprising historical, political and scientific insights and shocking statistics about the current maternity care system. When director Epstein discovers she is pregnant during the making of the film, the journey becomes even more personal. Should most births be viewed as a natural life process, or should every delivery be treated as a potentially catastrophic medical emergency?".
From the website of (http://www.cmmidwifery.com/index.htm) Cara Muhlhahn, midwife featured in the film "In this candid and eye-opening documentary, director Epstein and producer Ricki Lake tackle the controversial debate between at-home and hospital births in the U.S. This film reveals shocking facts regarding the historical and current practices of the childbirthing industry contrasted with the realities of childbirth at home."
It was, in brief, amazing. I went in hoping it would be good and it blew.me.away. It was inspirational and thought-provoking and incredible. I can't encourage you enough: see this film. Learn what Ricki and Abby are talking about. Encourage everyone to see this film, it's really that good.
xposted: vaginapagina on livejournal (http://community.livejournal.com/vag.../11709220.html)
From the movie's website: "Birth: it’s a miracle. A rite of passage. A natural part of life. But more than anything, birth is a business. Compelled to find answers after a disappointing birth experience with her first child, actress Ricki Lake recruits filmmaker Abby Epstein to examine and question the way American women have babies. The film interlaces intimate birth stories with surprising historical, political and scientific insights and shocking statistics about the current maternity care system. When director Epstein discovers she is pregnant during the making of the film, the journey becomes even more personal. Should most births be viewed as a natural life process, or should every delivery be treated as a potentially catastrophic medical emergency?".
From the website of (http://www.cmmidwifery.com/index.htm) Cara Muhlhahn, midwife featured in the film "In this candid and eye-opening documentary, director Epstein and producer Ricki Lake tackle the controversial debate between at-home and hospital births in the U.S. This film reveals shocking facts regarding the historical and current practices of the childbirthing industry contrasted with the realities of childbirth at home."
It was, in brief, amazing. I went in hoping it would be good and it blew.me.away. It was inspirational and thought-provoking and incredible. I can't encourage you enough: see this film. Learn what Ricki and Abby are talking about. Encourage everyone to see this film, it's really that good.
xposted: vaginapagina on livejournal (http://community.livejournal.com/vag.../11709220.html)
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