[rhiasmum]

Hi ladies,

I'm not sure if someone may have posted this already but in case not - the Provincetown Film Festival is this weekend. On Friday afternoon and Sunday morning they're showing The Business of Being Born:

1n 1900, 95% of births in the U.S. took place at home. By 1955 less than 1% did. The U.S. spends twice as much on maternity care as any other country, but has the second highest infant mortality rate in the developed world. The Business of Being Born takes a hard look at how birth culture in this country is in crisis, and why the solution may be midwives. Executive Produced by Ricki Lake.

Here's the link:
http://ptownfilmfest.bside.com/?_vie...ilmId=24434103

I'm going Friday afternoon. I'll let anyone who wants to know how it was!
Ann

 

[KarenMT]

I'd love to hear how the film is. I am sort of annoying to some people when I get on my schtick about how OB/GYNs have this reactive vs proactive approach to birth which ends up with tons of interventions and tests costing millions of dollars. My case in point- I was borderline on my Triple Screen test. Rather than spend another $162 to re-run the test they didn't tell me they wanted to subject me to an u/s at 32 weeks and then weekly non-stress tests. THese tests cost thousands- no better birth outcome. Needless to say, we are going for a homebirth at this point.

 

[rhiasmum]

Karen, I think most people I talk about the subject to think I'm nutso. But I don't care. Nothing will change unless women make it change! Needless to say I agree with you.
I'm hoping this movie will get picked up by HBO or PBS so it will get more exposure. I'd love to do a home birth but my dh is too nervous so off to the hospital we go. But I'm waiting as long as I can before I go.

 

[rupiezum]

I also would love to hear about this film!!

 

[newCTmama]

I'd love to hear as well...

 

[Paige CPM]

I am excited about this movie, and Ann. I'm witth you, I could talk about this stuff for hours!

If anything Sunday we would go but there is the midwifery conference and I have 3 ladies due, plus my baby...I don't think it is going to happen...too much driving...

I look forward to your synopsis!! Take care, Paige

 

[jessjgh1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhiasmum I'd love to do a home birth but my dh is too nervous so off to the hospital we go. But I'm waiting as long as I can before I go.

Mine too, ((Hugs))

I'm very tempted to go.

Jessica

 

[rhiasmum]

lol Jessica - those darn dh's! Compromise is the name of the game.

I'll post my thoughts when I get back. It probably won't be until later tonight though.

Paige - I can only imagine the conversation we could have since you're a midwife and I'm pregnant and read waaaaay too much according to some lol.

 

[**guest**]

Ooh, wish I lived closer!

 

[KarenMT]

Rhiasmum - I had a hospital birth with DD #1. We will try for a homebirth with this baby (EDD mid Sept). I think it is such a huge issue. My sister and I have had heated conversations on this subject- particularly in terms of active management of labor- the costs and consequences. She works in the medical field and feels that labor/birth should be heavily managed to reduce costs. "you can't have people at the hospital for days laboring", whereas I feel it is the very act of trying to reactively manage pregnancy and birth that costs us millions for healthcare.

Please post if you hear of another showing later in the summer (we move out to the Boston area July 1st) or a regular showing. I will def. want to Tivo it.

 

[ebony]

Hi mamas!

I saw the movie here in NYC. IT IS GREAT!!!! I didn't like the fact that Marsden Wagner wasn't professionally dressed during his interview but he was right about what he said.

The homebirth midwife in the movie was my midwife and she was great. I remember during my birth she told me what a hard time she had during birth, laughing at me because at the height of transition I was laughing and talking about how "cool" labor is

She shows her birth in the movie and it is HILARIOUS!

A Hollywood writer couldn't have written a funnier scene.

The movie is very engaging, never dull. Some the comments made by OBs were just ridiculous. The historical footage was very telling, and they have these cartoons that are really funny.

It is a must see! If you can see it, please go to it. The movie may be picked up for a theatrical release so let's keep our fingers crossed!

BTW, I wish all you mamas on here the best

 

[rhiasmum]

www.thebusinessofbeingborn.com

Not a ton of info up but some. They are working to get it into theatres and I hope they do! I agree with the pp - this movie is a must see for everyone!!!! One of the OBs said something like "who cares how the baby gets here?" (I'm paraphrasing but you get the idea). We all laughed! Of course HE would say that!
The midwife's footage of her birth was hysterical! I applaud her for being honest and allowing it to be shown. I cried at numerous parts of the movie as did my doula friend. I can't recommend it enough.
Their facts were dead on, they talked to people pro and anti. So I think they had a good mix.
Dr. Odent had some fantastic quotes. He and others made excellent points.
A woman who runs a birth center in NH said a hospital in her area charges $13,000 for a vaginal delivery. She charges $4,000 - and that includes prenatal care, delivery and postnatal care. She said she met with the CEO of an insurance company and he said "my hands are tied, I can't do anything about it" (about homebirth being covered). She said yeah, right - he's in the perfect position to change it but chose not to.
Like I said - the way birth is handled isn't going to change unless women stand up and demand it IMHO. This movie shows exactly why I feel this way.
The only thing I wished they mentioned more was EFM (electronic fetal monitoring). They touched upon it but that was it. I recently read that those machines have a 15-80% error rate. That to me is very scary!
So, yes, lol, see it!!!

 

[purplepaisleymama]

Is anyone going to hte showing on Sunday?????
I am planning to go and DH is taking the kids to the beach while I am at the movie.... Happy Father's Day!! lol
Let me know if you are going... I would love to have someone to sit with!!
laura

 

[UUMom]

My sister and two doula friends went last night and said it was very powerful. I wanted to go, but no ticket for me.

 

[rhiasmum]

Laura enjoy it!!! I wish I could go again!!!

 

[purplepaisleymama]

I so wish that I could have gone, but alas how things are when you have kids..... my youngest was stung or bitten by some sort of bug/insect early this morning and I spent the day keeping the swelling down and giving him apis. I was all set to go and then this but maybe it will go mainstream soon. I would love to go and I keep promising my self that I will get there someday.

 

[jessjgh1]

Sorry to hear about your day... I hope he is feeling better.

Jessica

 

[MAMom]

I went on Sunday. The film was great, but the theatre was nearly empty (there were maybe 15 of us) which was so sad.

Many beautiful home births (and a birth center birth) were shown and I think they really got the point across of how peaceful birth can be in the right environment. Have to run so no time to write more for now.

It will also be at the Martha's Vineyard Summer Series Film Fest July 11. The website says they are "in the process of securing theatrical distribution", so that is promising.

=================
Be BOLD in September 2007! See Karen Brody's play, BIRTH and share your birth story at a BOLD Red Tent Event!!
http://www.birthonlaborday.com/

 

[sweetpeasmom]

OH gosh so sad only 15 people were there! I so wanted to go but was away. I hope to make it to the martha vineyard one, doubting it but will try.

 

[UUMom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetpeasmom OH gosh so sad only 15 people were there! I so wanted to go but was away. I hope to make it to the martha vineyard one, doubting it but will try.

My sister saw it on Fri night, and she said there were quite a few people there.