The Business of Being Born

BiscuitEater21 · December 2012

And MORE of The Business of Being Born.

Very good movie/documentaries to watch, especially if aiming for an all natural birth (:

They are on Netflix!

sschwege · December 2012

Scout2005:
Well thank God for you.
I'm sure no one one the Natural Birth board has heard about these movies, ever.

Not like the Natural Birth Board is being charged per post or anything!

OP: I first heard about the original documentary through this board and it was such a nice way to introduce DH into 'the world of natural birth'. It's by no means perfect of course, but what is?

Treschic81 · December 2012

Scout2005:
Well thank God for you.
I'm sure no one one the Natural Birth board has heard about these movies, ever.

And someone held a gun to your head making you click on her post? Take a tums and calm down.

JJ+1 · December 2012

Treschic81:
Scout2005:
Well thank God for you.
I'm sure no one one the Natural Birth board has heard about these movies, ever.

And someone held a gun to your head making you click on her post? Take a tums and calm down.

^^ What she said

Amanda&EricB · December 2012

I chose not to watch it. If someone came on here and proposed I watch something that showed me all about the wonders of c-sections, and how much better they are, I wouldn't watch that either.

It's soooo one sided that it can't possibly be unbiased. And that kind of thing makes my head spin. I choose not to make decisions based on something on tv (documentary or not).

LaurelBee · December 2012

Amanda&EricB:
I chose not to watch it. If someone came on here and proposed I watch something that showed me all about the wonders of c-sections, and how much better they are, I wouldn't watch that either.

It's soooo one sided that it can't possibly be unbiased. And that kind of thing makes my head spin. I choose not to make decisions based on something on tv (documentary or not).

No one said they were making decisions based off watching a movie. But it can be an eye opener for those new to the world of med free births. It covers more than "getting an epidural is the devil." Watch it, don't watch it, no biggie. But don't put down others who may find it informative or just plain entertaining...

oliversmommy32912 · December 2012

Scout2005:
Well thank God for you.I'm sure no one one the Natural Birth board has heard about these movies, ever.nbsp;

Hahaha I didn't think anyone on the Natural Birth board was capable of being snarky!

Treschic81 · December 2012

oliversmommy32912:
Scout2005:
Well thank God for you.I'm sure no one one the Natural Birth board has heard about these movies, ever.nbsp;
Hahaha I didn't think anyone on the Natural Birth board was capable of being snarky!

Ah yes, luck us someone finally stepped up...<eye roll>

Mrs E in Oregon · December 2012

Amanda&EricB:

It's soooo one sided that it can't possibly be unbiased.

Actually, as far as documentaries go, the ending would surprise you. It doesn't go the way you think a movie about homebirth ahd birthing centers would. It is more about supporting informed consent and patient education than home birth.

OP, Another movie you may enjoy is Orgasmic Birth.

GraceInCA · December 2012

Amanda&EricB:

I chose not to watch it. If someone came on here and proposed I watch something that showed me all about the wonders of c-sections, and how much better they are, I wouldn't watch that either.

It's soooo one sided that it can't possibly be unbiased. And that kind of thing makes my head spin. I choose not to make decisions based on something on tv (documentary or not).

This post is all kinds of peculiar. First, you've never seen it, but you are certain it is "soooo" one-sided that it can't possibly be unbiased (which implies there is nothing to be gained from it)? That is strange. Also, it's highly unlikely that anyone is making a major decision like the method of the birth of their child based on "something on tv", a single movie, book, doctor, etc. From what I've read on the Natural Birth board, the women here are very knowledgable and informed, and pull from a variety of sources. Many of us have read as many birth-related books as we can get our hands on. If you have the kind of personality who is going to be so swayed by any single source of media, then you've got big problems and can't possibly spend the rest of your life insulating yourself from any potentially life-altering information. I'm currently researching for what will hopefully be a healthy and safe natural birth in June, and while much of what I've seen has been compelling, I haven't joined any birthing cults just yet or set up a shrine to Ina May in my bathroom. After watching the movie, I didn't run out to buy a birthing tub.

This movie was good. Was it biased? I actually don't think it was all that biased, given the fact that one of the two filmmakers ended up with an emergency c-section while they were filming, and they engaged in a candid and open discussion about that process. Am I a better source for determining whether it was biased than you are? Given the fact that I've actually watched the movie, I'd venture to say "yes".

Even despite that, even if it was biased, "biased" does not necessarily mean "bad" or "devoid of value".

BiscuitEater21 · December 2012

I can't believe I had never heard of these when I was aiming for my natural birth, that wasn't quite natural, just non pain medicated (:

But I just thought it would be helpful because no, not EVERYONE on here has heard of the documentaries!

Anyways, they touched me and I thought I would share, thanks all for sticking up for me. Dunno why some people have to be such meanies lol

Annaeliz84 · December 2012

Thank you for posting! I hadn't heard of these documentaries 5 weeks ago when I started looking here for natural birth tips and am glad that good advice often gets repeated. Not sure why people get so nasty on Bump Boards! Must be the crazy hormones :-P

TinkL0ver · December 2012

I just watched The Business of Being Born with my SO and it really helped him go from iffy about natural births to wanting to explore all our options. He was supportive of me not wanting an epidural but pretty confused about everything else that I was trying to explain that I didn't want and wondered why some people would willingly get (episiotomy anyone? lol). His only experience was medical TV births (shudders) and when he saw not one but several water births during the movie he seemed rather shocked that there was no screaming and blood everywhere. I would recommend this to anyone who is pregnant even if only to have them read the informed consent forms a bit closer before hand on the most common "routine" interventions.

mel1987 · December 2012

GraceInCA:
Amanda&EricB:

I chose not to watch it. If someone came on here and proposed I watch something that showed me all about the wonders of c-sections, and how much better they are, I wouldn't watch that either.

It's soooo one sided that it can't possibly be unbiased. And that kind of thing makes my head spin. I choose not to make decisions based on something on tv (documentary or not).

This post is all kinds of peculiar. First, you've never seen it, but you are certain it is "soooo" one-sided that it can't possibly be unbiased (which implies there is nothing to be gained from it)? That is strange. Also, it's highly unlikely that anyone is making a major decision like the method of the birth of their child based on "something on tv", a single movie, book, doctor, etc. From what I've read on the Natural Birth board, the women here are very knowledgable and informed, and pull from a variety of sources. Many of us have read as many birth-related books as we can get our hands on. If you have the kind of personality who is going to be so swayed by any single source of media, then you've got big problems and can't possibly spend the rest of your life insulating yourself from any potentially life-altering information. I'm currently researching for what will hopefully be a healthy and safe natural birth in June, and while much of what I've seen has been compelling, I haven't joined any birthing cults just yet or set up a shrine to Ina May in my bathroom. After watching the movie, I didn't run out to buy a birthing tub.

This movie was good. Was it biased? I actually don't think it was all that biased, given the fact that one of the two filmmakers ended up with an emergency c-section while they were filming, and they engaged in a candid and open discussion about that process. Am I a better source for determining whether it was biased than you are? Given the fact that I've actually watched the movie, I'd venture to say "yes".

Even despite that, even if it was biased, "biased" does not necessarily mean "bad" or "devoid of value".

Exactly this! I found it to be very informative and unbiased, I came to these conclusions because I took the time to watch it...

StefandTodd · December 2012

I loved the BOBB, but hadn't even thought to explore More BOBB until very recently. I really, reeeeally enjoyed the first two (haven't, and probably won't take the time, to watch the others). The second in particular was all just birth stories by celebrities. But they could have been ANY women...it was just neat to see such a wide variety of perspective and stories and births.

Even having heard of these movies, I think this post could most definitely serve as a reminder to someone to check them out if they're just interested in learning more about ALL their options for birth.