Freebirth documentary to air on Discovery Health

[txgal]

Don't know if this has been posted but saw the promo while I was working out. October 21st, Freebirth documentary on Discovery Health channel.

[titania8]

dangit! we don't get that channel.

[itsrtimedownhere]

tivo'd it!

[logcabinmomma]

oh, man... that just got moved from our cable lineup... darn.

-Kristi

[My*Scorpio]

Do you know what time? I'll be looking for it

[AngelBee]

Cool!

[itsrtimedownhere]

it's on at 9pm.

[laurashanley]

Thanks for letting us know!! I had been wondering about this. The producer wrote to me a few weeks ago and said that Discovery Health was going to be airing it and he wanted to make sure some of the "facts" stated in the program were indeed facts. I wrote him a long letter and told him that not everything they said was factual, but I'm not sure how much they'll actually change. By the way, this is the British UC documentary "Outlaw Births" with a new narration geared toward US audiences (I believe). Clips from the British program can be seen here - http://outlawbirths.com

One of the things he asked me about was a statement made at the end of the program that (paraphrasing) "Laura Shanley believes the responsibility to change current birth practices lies with doctors and midwives." I told him I would never make a statement like that, as I believe the responsibility to change birth lies with women. Of course it would be great if doctors and midwives would change too, but reforming the medical or midwifery community has never been my goal.

It will be interesting to see what, if anything, they change. Overall it was a good documentary, but there are several "throw a brick at the TV" moments! I know that Heather wasn't very happy with how her story was presented, and of course the majority of my interview ended up on the cutting room floor. Expect numerous comments from medical professionals about the dangers of UC, but also nice comments from UCer's.
Laura

[laurashanley]

Found this on their web site:

http://health.discovery.com/tv/crib-...ebirthing.html

Freebirthing
Premieres Tuesday, October 21 at 9 pm
A growing movement of women in the US and in the UK are defying medical advice and choosing to give birth with no drugs, no midwife and absolutely no medical support. Supporters claim it's how having a baby was always meant to be. Doctors say this new 'freebirthing' craze carries great risks.

In this program, we chart the stories of three pregnant women who have decided to go against the advice of their doctors and go it alone. With intimate access, we follow the challenges they have to overcome from negative family opinions and medics, to their own fears and through to the eventual and extraordinary births.

Watch the premiere, Tuesday, October 21 at 9 pm on Discovery Health!

[My4Monkeys]

I will definitely be watching it...thanks for the info!

[Serenyd]

Yeah, Thanks I'm looking forward to finally seeing the whole thing!

[loveyourohana]

I may end up having to miss it... I really hope that they show it more than once, or at least make it viewable afterwords on the net.

[jenneology]

If it does become viewable on the internet afterwards, I hope someone will post that information. I'm interested in watching it, but I have a feeling that I'll be rather frustrated with it.

[tammyswanson]

Originally Posted by laurashanley

Found this on their web site:

http://health.discovery.com/tv/crib-...ebirthing.html

Freebirthing
Premieres Tuesday, October 21 at 9 pm
A growing movement of women in the US and in the UK are defying medical advice and choosing to give birth with no drugs, no midwife and absolutely no medical support. Supporters claim it's how having a baby was always meant to be. Doctors say this new 'freebirthing' craze carries great risks.

In this program, we chart the stories of three pregnant women who have decided to go against the advice of their doctors and go it alone. With intimate access, we follow the challenges they have to overcome from negative family opinions and medics, to their own fears and through to the eventual and extraordinary births.

Watch the premiere, Tuesday, October 21 at 9 pm on Discovery Health!

Wonder if they'll have it on youtube as we don't watch tv anymore.

LOL, freebirthing 'craze'....yeah the doctors are so worried because it'll cut into their bottom line- money! What about giving women a choice..nah, can't do that, right?

[Pirogi]

Those crazy women ... thinking they can birth by themselves ... we can't allow that ... *mutter splutter mutter*

[laurashanley]

Yeah, as usual we're portrayed (in the promo, anyway) as being crazy and irresponsible. In the actual program they're more respectful, although there are comments throughout from people in white coats who claim we are endangering our lives and the lives of our babies. Of course, there's no danger in hospitals!

But I think there are so many misconceptions in our society about birth and UC specifically that it may take a while to dispell the myths. For instance, in this statement alone there are two major flaws - "In this program, we chart the stories of three pregnant women who have decided to go against the advice of their doctors and go it alone." I don't know about these women, but many of us don't go against our doctors, as we don't consult with doctors, at least not when we're pregnant.

Also, the idea that because we don't have medical "help" we're "alone" simply isn't true. For most of us our UC's are a joyous family event, or at least one we share with our partners. Even when I gave birth by myself, I never felt like I was alone. I deeply felt the presence of my baby and the larger consciousness - God, Goddess, the innerself or whatever we choose to call it.

As far as the program airing more than once, yes, it will air several times. The Oct. 21st date is the premier, but it could actually air dozens of times over the course of a few years, and perhaps be available on demand.
Laura

[paphia]

Well, you know, it's crazy not to have a doctor! It's really important to go out and hire someone to take authority over your life and the welfare of you and your children. It's not like women can get educated about birth and think for themselves! /sarcasm

I really can't imagine anyone actually freebirthing doing so because it's a "craze". It's an attempt to devalue our choice making ability. I birthed in a hospital and nothing horrible happened to me or my baby. I did it drug free and with "minimal" intervention. So why would I choose to birth alone for my next child? Because it was right for me.

I understand that I'm in the minority, but I don't understand why it is such a hard concept for people to wrap their heads around. Can't they see what really happens to women who give birth in hospitals? *sigh*

[mamato3cherubs]

Time to set the DVR! well my boyfriends dvr that is, LOL. I am too curious to miss this

[delicate_sunshine]

Originally Posted by paphia

Well, you know, it's crazy not to have a doctor! It's really important to go out and hire someone to take authority over your life and the welfare of you and your children. It's not like women can get educated about birth and think for themselves! /sarcasm

I really can't imagine anyone actually freebirthing doing so because it's a "craze".

I actually laughed out loud...

[maddymama]

:
~maddymama