"The Business of Being Born"

DuWhat? · February 2009

I just watched this documentary by Ricki Lake this weekend, and was pretty amazed by some of the things in it. It compares hospital births with alternative births (birthing centers, midwives, home births), though it definitely has a pro-alternative perspective.

It discusses the history of hospital births (yeowza!) and some of the old drugs used. There is also some time given to current drugs and how they basically speed up the labor and delivery, often to the detriment of mother and baby. The point here is that hospitals have a policy of getting a mother through delivery and out of the hospital ASAP, which often creates a false need for medical intervention. The most shocking part was the most common time of day for c-sections-- 4pm and 10 pm-- so the docs could go home on time.

They also show a midwife who does home births in the NYC area, and we get to see a few babies born at home. It sure seems like a totally different experience. Statistics of midwife-assisted births and the techniques they use to help women deliver are covered, and throughout the film there are a variety of medical professors, experienced midwives, doctors, and mothers interviewed on the subject of giving birth.

Coincidentally, the director of the film found herself pregnant early in production, and her experience is covered, as well.

I'm not a mother yet, but am thinking about starting my family and have given a lot of thought to how I'd like my children to be born. I was very attached to the idea of a home birth prior to seeing this documentary, and now I'm convinced it's the option I'd like to take. One woman made giving birth at home look almost easy! All in all, it was an interesting film that expectant parents should see, if only to learn more about the options available to them when it comes time to deliver.

If anyone else has seen this, I would love to hear your thoughts.

gr8bigsmile · February 2009

Film Analysis Report Card: B +

pnwjess · February 2009

I really like this documentary- it definitely makes you think about alternatives to the traditional hospital birth. It was an eye-opener for me.

easjer05 · February 2009

I think it's a good film that gets the facts straight, but is certainly biased to out of hospital birth.

I liked the movie, but given that I have long planned to birth at home, I was predisposed to enjoy it and agree with it.

It's been available (via screenings and other things) for a couple of years now, so a good number of women have seen it and their feelings are reasonably wide-ranging, depending on their previous thoughts and how they interpret the message.

I thought the message was more about - hey, there are some things seriously wrong with maternity care in America and there are options other than the typical OB and hospital and maybe you should consider exploring them. Some people perceived it as a message to get away from the hospital and not trust your doctor and medicated delivery is BAD - they are not so interested in the movie.

Dr.BeepersWife · February 2009

I thought it was very informative but it did not convice me to be "anti" hospital. I enjoyed it very much

bbowie · February 2009

I saw it and loved it. I started doing research into birth in this country and all the options. I am planning on a different birth experience next time.

DuWhat? · February 2009

Yes, I agree the overriding message was that there is a lot of room for improvement in traditional maternity care.

And although I know this isn't a new film, I do wonder why I don't hear of anyone (at least out here in the midwest) talking about alternative birthing options. Obviously, not many people do it, but in a time when so many of us are questioning the way things have always been done, this area hasn't been brought into mainstream discourse yet. However, I am happy that people out there have worked to make it legal to have midwives attend births, and moms give birth at home in many states so that hopefully I have several choices available to me when the time comes.

heather_09_15_07 · February 2009

I really liked the movie. That being said, I'd still be too chickenshiit to birth at home

easjer05 · February 2009

Over 90% of birth is in hospital. I think it's closer to 95%, actually.

So already the number of people who don't do that is ridiculously small. Additionally, there are still several states where it is legally impossible for a midwife to attend a birth out of hospital or to practice outside of a supervising physician. And out of hospital birth is still illegal in some states. And of course, many states do not require that midwives be covered by insurance, and medicare doesn't cover out of hospital births.

So automatically, the options are curtailed for large numbers of the population. They touch on this in the film - there is a whole lot of politicking behind the scenes that results in fewer choices available to women.

I think that's why you don't hear about it outside of the birth circles or women interested in ttc/babies. It's just not a common topic, and it's really alternative to the mainstream and often linked to even more extreme practices like unassisted pregnancy and unassisted birth.

Mr&MrsX · February 2009

easjer05:

Over 90% of birth is in hospital. I think it's closer to 95%, actually.

So already the number of people who don't do that is ridiculously small. Additionally, there are still several states where it is legally impossible for a midwife to attend a birth out of hospital or to practice outside of a supervising physician. And out of hospital birth is still illegal in some states. And of course, many states do not require that midwives be covered by insurance, and medicare doesn't cover out of hospital births.

So automatically, the options are curtailed for large numbers of the population. They touch on this in the film - there is a whole lot of politicking behind the scenes that results in fewer choices available to women.

I think that's why you don't hear about it outside of the birth circles or women interested in ttc/babies. It's just not a common topic, and it's really alternative to the mainstream and often linked to even more extreme practices like unassisted pregnancy and unassisted birth.

*Word* To everything easjer05 said. I feel like we've talked about this in the past?

I think the movie is biased, but don't have a problem with that. So many things are about opinion and it's wonderful to see and evaluate all the opinions in order to help define a personal perspective. That being said, I'm very supportive of home birth and any other alternative birth that a woman feels is appropriate for her.

My favorite thing about the movie was that it removed so many of my fears. The fears that come from having never been pregnant, never given birth, and that developed from watching over sensationalized TV dramas. Actually seeing women give birth and be okay with it was so comforting to me.

easjer05 · February 2009

We probably have. Education regarding childbirth and options is a passion of mine. I've just been around less and less interested in talking about it because of my recent reproductive history. It's harder to be interested in discussing or defending if you think it may all be a theoretical argument for you, you know?

MakingBabyWasFun · February 2009

I enjoyed watching it too. DH walked out of the room as soon as he saw that it would involve birthing.

I don't think I could go as far as doing a home birth, though. I guess I'm just afraid that should something go wrong, I'd be more comfortable having a certain degree of technology or expertise at hand and not have to worry about whether I'd be able to get myself or my baby to a hospital or clinic on time to avoid a catastrophe.

easjer05 · February 2009

I am fortunate to live across the street from a hospital, so given that my mw brings the same equipment to the home that she has available in the birthing center, I'm actually better off at home, precisely because of my proximity to to a good hospital.

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