The business of being born

[Equuskia]

This is a new movie by Ricki Lake. After a disappointing birthing experience with her first child, she researches and exposed hospital practices and how it is a huge business.

Synopsis
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?

The movie will be released Feb 2008 on Netflix, and March 2008 on DVD to be purchased. You can see the trailer at www.thebusinessofbeingborn.com The movie looks super interesting and even shows Ricki Lake having a water birth! Totally cool!

[umsami]

Ricki Lake just kicked butt on the "Today" show talking about her film. Ann Curry was very non-pro homebirth... and was really annoying... but Ricki Lake was fab! She kept repeating it was about women knowing all of their options and being empowered... regardless of what type of birth they chose. Yeah Ricki!

[Equuskia]

Hmm, I had posted this in the "I'm Pregnant" forum, since I figured this is something that moms, especially first timers would be interested in.

[sniffmommy]

Annoyed by the audio

I watched the spot this morning, and it was so annoying that everytime Ann would ask a question, they would cut to images of the film with the audio so loud you could barely understand what Ricki was saying! I was impressed that Ricki was so nice in her answers even though Ann's tone was pretty condescending.

[Debstmomy]

I saw this last weekend at the Palm Springs Film Festival & it was fantastic. I got to meet Ricki Lake afterwards is she is AWESOME! Every woman that has birthed or will birth, needs to see this.

[aishy]

Originally Posted by sniffmommy

I watched the spot this morning, and it was so annoying that everytime Ann would ask a question, they would cut to images of the film with the audio so loud you could barely understand what Ricki was saying! I was impressed that Ricki was so nice in her answers even though Ann's tone was pretty condescending.

That bothered me too!

I guess I'll keep my netflix account a little longer. haha.

[Mindi22]

I signed up to reserve a DVD yesterday... only thing was, they didn't say how expensive it is.... hopefully, I'll be able to afford it!

Still haven't seen this, but I've heard such great things!

[texanatheart]

Ooohhhh...SUCH A GOOD MOVIE!!! I've been lucky enough to get to two separate screenings, and I can't believe how wonderful it makes me feel. I am definitely getting this thru NetFlix (so I can watch it over and over until dh gets sick of it ), and purchasing it when it becomes available.

[kaliki_kila]

I wonder if this will eventually be available to rent from iTunes?

[SugarAndSun]

I was going to go see this last Sat., but decided against it. I am happy my boys are healthy and happy and didn't want to get depressed about my c-sections. I'm sure it's great though.

[KindRedSpirit]

SugarandSun I re-recommend you see it.It is very well-rounded.(pardon the pun.)

Was anyone else shocked by the "surprise" ending?I don't want to be a spoiler,but wow, it got my head spinning in so many directions!

I thought it was fantastic, and doubly so, by sharing the experience with a GREAT room of folks!

[shanetedissac]

Saw the movie this past weekend. We had a preview here in western CT. It was really cool to watch birth advocacy on the big screen. We had a q&a with a local homebirth midwife and a nurse practicitioner. I really enjoyed it.

Be well,

[TranscendentalMom]

anyone know when it comes out on DVD? thanks!

[texanatheart]

Originally Posted by TranscendentalMom

anyone know when it comes out on DVD? thanks!

If you are a NetFlix customer, you can rent the DVD late February.

If not, you can reserve a copy here.

Enjoy!!!

[Stackpole92]

Worth Seeing Regardless. . .

I just saw the screening recently. In spite of being relatively new on my holistic journey, this was still an amazing film to see as a woman and mother! Now, as a mother of a daughter, I'm inspired to help her investigate whatever options are available when/if she gives birth someday. This helps me not have as many regrets with my own births.

[hollytheteacher]

I just watched this movie last night and I LOVED it. I'm still horrified about the practices of ob/gyn's back in the 60's (i think that's when it was) where they tied up and blindfolded the women giving birth...letft them for days with handcuffs made of sheep's wool omg it was horrible!

[Septagram]

I can't wait! I'm going to watch this tomorrow!!!!!!

[KindRedSpirit]

So, is this a thread we can share our opinions about the movie and what it says to us,or would that be more than this thread was looking for?I would love to have a discussion about a movement toward seriously educating women and girls and our communities about truthful birth.anyone else have some thoughts this film touched on,that want to discuss it?If not here,I'll make a thread.

[Septagram]

Originally Posted by KindRedSpirit

So, is this a thread we can share our opinions about the movie and what it says to us,or would that be more than this thread was looking for?I would love to have a discussion about a movement toward seriously educating women and girls and our communities about truthful birth.anyone else have some thoughts this film touched on,that want to discuss it?If not here,I'll make a thread.

I haven't gotten the stinking file to work, but I totally want to do that very same thing. I want to become a Midwife after this baby gets to be older and work to get CPM's paid for by Medicaid in the meantime.

[texanatheart]

Oh, Mamas, you are on to something!!! Since the first time I saw this late last fall (I've been lucky to see it twice!) I've had this feeling that there's just GOT to be something that can be done to get the word out that birth is a natural thing to be embraced. KindRedSpirit, I would LOVE to see a thread about this movie and spreading the word!!!!! If you start a thread, would you mind posting here about it?

Oh, and I'll hopefully be getting to watch it again next week, or whenever NetFlix gets my copy to me