The Business of Being Born

Casie13 · December 2012

I just watched this documentary last night with my DH. It was extremely informative and interesting. If you have Netflix, you can watch it on there. Has anyone else seen this? It has definitely solidified my plans of avoiding all interventions, if at all possible.

BoatsNHoes · December 2012

Yes! Everyone should watch this.

NativeFloridian · December 2012

I think everyone should watch it, for sure, but should also go into it knowing that it's extremely biased. Biased in the opposite direction of doctors, yes, but still VERY biased. It's important to remember that we can't control what happens during labor and it doesn't do to be traumatized, if you end up needing interventions, the way some women are when things don't go as planned.

courtneyt13 · December 2012

NativeFloridian:
I think everyone should watch it, for sure, but should also go into it knowing that it's extremely biased. Biased in the opposite direction of doctors, yes, but still VERY biased. It's important to remember that we can't control what happens during labor and it doesn't do to be traumatized, if you end up needing interventions, the way some women are when things don't go as planned.

I agree. I saw it and a home birth or birthing center is not for everyone. Either medically or personal decisions. I think it is important to be educated about all of our options.

Also, keep in mind that of course hospital births are going to have high rate for c section or intervention. It's available there and not at home or a birthing center. Also, any women who have birth risks are not accepted at a birthing center or midqife attended home birth. Not all births are created equal. We have two hospitals that I can chose from based on my insurance. One has twice the rate of c/s that the other has. At first glance you would assume that is because one is "high invention", but if you look into each hospital you will find that all planned c/s are done at the hospital with a higher c/s rate and it has a better NICU so it also takes a lot of high risk moms.

I don't think the documentary really looked fairly at the statistics. But it was an interesting watch.

spoilme1 · December 2012

NativeFloridian:
I think everyone should watch it, for sure, but should also go into it knowing that it's extremely biased. Biased in the opposite direction of doctors, yes, but still VERY biased. It's important to remember that we can't control what happens during labor and it doesn't do to be traumatized, if you end up needing interventions, the way some women are when things don't go as planned.

I totally agree with this. Have any of you watched the follow up episodes? I think there's like 3 or 4. I found those informative and more in depth.

pachisophic · December 2012

Yes!!!! And there is a follow-up one that you should watch too! I think it's just called More Business of Being Born. But it's super easy to find on Netflix. Very cool. I've watched them both several times.

old_time_girl · December 2012

I have not watched it, but i get the idea of it from watching other pro home birth documentaries. I started out with DS wanting to do a home birth. But the home birth midwives that i found, i did not get along with and ended up switching to CNM at 28w. And had DS in a hospital with an epi. At 4 cm i started passing blood clots and they were worried about emergency C sec, so i voted for epi instead of being gassed if the C sec was necessary.
I had a really hard time letting my birth experience go. It wasn't what i pictured or had planned for. This time, i think I'm going into it with a lot healthier outlook. Yes, we'll try to go med free again, but if my birth experience turns scary again, I'm not going to beat myself up over giving in to interventions.

DarlingNIkki1028 · December 2012

I haven't watched it, but I have a friend who doesn't have children, who nagged me to watch it for pretty much my entire first trimester. I know the premise, and I've read several reviews, and I KNOW it's not something I want to watch. I agree it is important to educate yourself, but I am considered high risk, and there are a lot of things that could require medical attention and intervention during my delivery. I don't want to watch something that will make me feel guilty about things that could possibly be inevitable for me. I know I picked a good hospital, and I trust my OB and my high risk OB. I've done my own research, and that's enough for me. This is in no way a negative review for the film, because like I said, I haven't seen it. I just know it's not for me.

Casie13 · December 2012

old_time_girl:
I have not watched it, but i get the idea of it from watching other pro home birth documentaries. I started out with DS wanting to do a home birth. But the home birth midwives that i found, i did not get along with and ended up switching to CNM at 28w. And had DS in a hospital with an epi. At 4 cm i started passing blood clots and they were worried about emergency C sec, so i voted for epi instead of being gassed if the C sec was necessary. I had a really hard time letting my birth experience go. It wasn't what i pictured or had planned for. This time, i think I'm going into it with a lot healthier outlook. Yes, we'll try to go med free again, but if my birth experience turns scary again, I'm not going to beat myself up over giving in to interventions.

I'm also keeping an open mind, if interventions are needed. I can't control everything and also won't beat myself up about anything that happens outside of my birth plan. I have a plan, but it's not set in stone. I just want what's best for me and baby, and hopefully that can happen without interventions.

Casie13 · December 2012

pachisophic:
Yes!!!! And there is a follow-up one that you should watch too! I think it's just called More Business of Being Born. But it's super easy to find on Netflix. Very cool. I've watched them both several times.

I'll see if I can find More Business tonight. Thanks!

angelacez · December 2012

I just started watching the More BBB on Netflicks today. It's pretty good. I don't think it's that biased, and the stats aren't that off. I think it's informative and of course if there is an emergency the hospital has what you need. I love how they have different parts for different info. It's very interesting. I think it should be watched, or at least that people know there are possibilities of issues with any drug used/intervention used that aren't needed. Of course it isn't for everyone though! I'd never force someone to not get an epi, just know there are other side effects than "it takes away the pain". I've had too many friends with issues from them. Not for me.

principessa81 · December 2012

This is one of my favorite documentaries, but I 100% agree with everyone that it is very biased. The one thing I didn't like is how they made it seem like every hospital has you on a clock, and you will be "pushed into interventions" if you aren't progressing the way they want you to. I recognize that's true for a lot of hospitals out there, but if you want to give birth in a hospital and you do your research, you can find many that will work with you. I gave birth to Tony at a hospital in Boston, and even though my birth experience didn't go exactly the way I had hoped, I can't say enough good things about the wonderful nurses and OBs there. They were so kind, so helpful and very respectful of my birth plan. Nothing was pushed on me, and nothing was done without my consent.

If you really want to watch a documentary that will cause your eyes to roll in the back of your head (at least, IMHO), watch Pregnant in America. Some good points were brought up (ex. the lower infant and maternal death rate in countries like The Netherlands, where many births take place at home), but the husband just seemed like such a raging douchenozzle I couldn't take him seriously at all. I kind of wanted to punch him every time he opened his mouth.

KellyM10 · December 2012

I agree with PP. As long as you watch it aware of it's biases and just use it to think objectively about the different options available to you, then it's a good flick to watch.

Murraydog · December 2012

yes! I watched this when I was pregnant the first time. I was already leading toward wanting a med-free birth, but this definitely gave me more of a reason to stick with this plan. Thankfully, I was able to safely go through with my plan, but got very close to needing intervention which I was open for when it came to keeping both my daughter and I safe. I just think it's really interesting the part where you get an epidural and then your contractions slow down so they have to give you pitocin and then it hurts really bad because the contractions are really strong, so they give you more epidural......vicious cycle until you end up with an emergency c-section. It just makes me feel like we need to just let our bodies do what they were designed to do. I am a believer in God's perfect plan and it worked out that way for me the first time. I also am very thankful for all the medical technology that is ready and available to me should something go against the plan. I choose to have hospital births for this reason. If something goes wrong, I want to be right there where all the doctors and nurses and specialists can run into the room and get the baby out safely. That is my number one priority when it comes to birthing.

bumpuser5078523 · December 2012

NativeFloridian:
I think everyone should watch it, for sure, but should also go into it knowing that it's extremely biased. Biased in the opposite direction of doctors, yes, but still VERY biased. It's important to remember that we can't control what happens during labor and it doesn't do to be traumatized, if you end up needing interventions, the way some women are when things don't go as planned.

This. I had to watch it and ignore some of the doctor hate going on. I found it very interesting.

OhSewCrafty · December 2012

NativeFloridian:
I think everyone should watch it, for sure, but should also go into it knowing that it's extremely biased. Biased in the opposite direction of doctors, yes, but still VERY biased. It's important to remember that we can't control what happens during labor and it doesn't do to be traumatized, if you end up needing interventions, the way some women are when things don't go as planned.

You took the words right out of my mouth.

Take it with a grain of salt and realize that medical interventions are there to make your life safer and easier when need be.

akraxner · December 2012

I only got to watch part of it because my hubby made me turn on his show...but I definitely want to go drug-free. I'm a FTM, so what I want and what happens may be two completely different things. My "plan" as of this point is to stay home as long as possible, the go drug free unless there is an emergency. Guess we'll see in about 18 weeks.

Casie13 · December 2012

Murraydog:
yes! I watched this when I was pregnant the first time. I was already leading toward wanting a med-free birth, but this definitely gave me more of a reason to stick with this plan. Thankfully, I was able to safely go through with my plan, but got very close to needing intervention which I was open for when it came to keeping both my daughter and I safe. I just think it's really interesting the part where you get an epidural and then your contractions slow down so they have to give you pitocin and then it hurts really bad because the contractions are really strong, so they give you more epidural......vicious cycle until you end up with an emergency c-section. It just makes me feel like we need to just let our bodies do what they were designed to do. I am a believer in God's perfect plan and it worked out that way for me the first time. I also am very thankful for all the medical technology that is ready and available to me should something go against the plan. I choose to have hospital births for this reason. If something goes wrong, I want to be right there where all the doctors and nurses and specialists can run into the room and get the baby out safely. That is my number one priority when it comes to birthing.

I agree with literally EVERYTHING you said!

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