The Business of Being Born

lopezalonso · August 2013

I just saw this documentary, produced by Ricki Lake, and I feel so much better informed about labor. I had no idea what my birthing options were beforehand. I am a wuss when it comes to pain and I had originally thought, Oh I will just get the epidural and now... I don't think that I want one. Has anyone seen this documentary? What is your birth plan? How do you feel about medicated versus unmedicated birth?

lopezalonso · August 2013

I also learned from the film that 1 out of 5 mothers in the U.S. are induced with Pitocin (double from 1990) and that this increases the risk of having a C-section as it can cause distress to your baby. I understand that c-sections are absolutely necessary in some circumstances but it seems like they are being done wayyyyyyy too often. This is scary to me.

lopezalonso · August 2013

I'm a FTM too. I definitely wanted the drugs before watching the film. Now I'm in a questioning period but I may change my mind too!

lopezalonso · August 2013

mari3607 · August 2013

I'll be watching the film later this morning! My plan is to go without meds

lopezalonso · August 2013

FarmBoysWife said:

I think the video has bias in it (she wants you to see the bad side) I think FTM's should take it as a stepping stone to research interventions and options. One thing they never even bring up is narcotics as a way to deal with the pain- something that I learned through my midwife and used during labor. And by research I don't mean popping on the bump and asking stm's their experience- because you may get a skewed sample. ** I don't remember them bringing up narcotics or really discussing it.

Most definitely! This was my first time learning about birthing options... I'll be doing more research online and speaking with my doctor and perhaps some midwifes (I had never considered a midwife before).

And talking about a biased sample (I'm sure this one is an outlier)...someone recently made a post on the bump about how she and her BF are afraid to have sex because they don't want the baby to get pregnant if it's a girl....

RunNanny · August 2013

I am 100% all about natural births BUT I also believe that interventions are needed at times for emergency situations and it is great what the medicine world has come to now a days. I do feel that doctors push interventions too much in order for it to be easier on themselves, but if women researched and learned more about labor then it can help immensely. There is also More Business of Being Born that is great to watch too!

SmittyPants · August 2013

I saw it. I found it extremely biased.

As to how I feel about medicated vs. un-medicated births- I really don't give a shit how you choose to birth your baby. I'll do it my way. You do it yours. The end.

What I do care about are women who try to bully others into doing it their way, judge others for not doing it their way, and feel superior to those who didn't do it their way.

lopezalonso · August 2013

SmittyPants said:

I saw it. I found it extremely biased.

As to how I feel about medicated vs. un-medicated births- I really don't give a shit how you choose to birth your baby. I'll do it my way. You do it yours. The end.

What I do care about are women who try to bully others into doing it their way, judge others for not doing it their way, and feel superior to those who didn't do it their way.

I agree about this part. It is a personal choice and I respect whatever a woman chooses. I just believe that many women don't know what their options are. Doctors should really do a better job at providing information but unfortunately they don't. Whatever you choose... totally fine.

kali55 · August 2013

SmittyPants said:

I saw it. I found it extremely biased.

As to how I feel about medicated vs. un-medicated births- I really don't give a shit how you choose to birth your baby. I'll do it my way. You do it yours. The end.

What I do care about are women who try to bully others into doing it their way, judge others for not doing it their way, and feel superior to those who didn't do it their way.

ITA, and I think it goes both ways. I had a natural, home birth with DS and I've caught shit for it because I was "irresponsible" for choosing a home birth because apparently, I put DS and myself in more danger by being at home and not at the hospital.

Hrose7091 · August 2013

I think it's a great documentary. Maybe biased in some sort but also very true. Our country has a very poor maternal rate... Infant too I believe, somewhere like 30 on the list. Induction does pose risks, so do c sections and very often they're used way more than they should be. Because once you get to the hospital you're under a time crunch to get that baby out. If you don't do it in their time.. Then they say you aren't progressing and need a section or pitocin. Pitocin can put a lot of distress on your baby, it certainly did mine! Her heart rate was all over the place after pitocin was started. I know once you hit 40 weeks and your labor hasn't started yet its so easy to just take an induction and get your baby out buy they really should inform more mothers of the risks.

roxi9020 · August 2013

I watched it a couple years ago and made my husband watch it with me again later the same day! It is biased in favor of nature! It is only in recent years that c-sections have become so common, and as the movie showed, it quite often is not medically necessary. In NYC 40% of births are c-section, this is really high.

In NYC is is pretty hard to find natural birthing options, which is pretty sad. I would love a natural birth but I have had past surgeries for ovarian cysts so I want to be in the hospital just in case... regardless I would like to not have any interventions if possible, but my hospital (Weill Cornell) puts an IV in you straight away, constant fetal monitoring, etc. I just had my first OB visit yesterday so I did not bring up the topic, but I am hoping my doctor will go along with minimal interventions.

It's not bullying to put information out there and encourage the natural way. Just like breast feeding, it is without a doubt healthier for baby to breastfeed than to use processed formulas, stating that is not bullying.

SmittyPants · August 2013

Hrose7091 said:

I think it's a great documentary. Maybe biased in some sort but also very true. Our country has a very poor maternal rate... Infant too I believe, somewhere like 30 on the list. Induction does pose risks, so do c sections and very often they're used way more than they should be. Because once you get to the hospital you're under a time crunch to get that baby out. If you don't do it in their time.. Then they say you aren't progressing and need a section or pitocin. Pitocin can put a lot of distress on your baby, it certainly did mine! Her heart rate was all over the place after pitocin was started. I know once you hit 40 weeks and your labor hasn't started yet its so easy to just take an induction and get your baby out buy they really should inform more mothers of the risks.

You're under a time crunch because 24 hours after your water breaks your risk of infection goes up considerably.

Anecdotal, but I was in labor with DD for 23 hours and not once was I pressured to have a c-section.

SmittyPants · August 2013

roxi9020 said:

It's not bullying to put information out there and encourage the natural way. Just like breast feeding, it is without a doubt healthier for baby to breastfeed than to use processed formulas, stating that is not bullying.

Putting information out there is not bullying, no. Encouraging the "natural" way is. It is of no concern to anyone but the women giving birth whether or not she has drugs while she does it or has a c-section or decides to go into the woods by herself with a bullet to bite on.

And don't even get me started on breastfeeding. For some women (full disclosure: this one included) formula literally stopped me from going over the edge.

Gamera3000 · August 2013

I was a home birth and my older and younger brothers were born at hospitals. I asked my mom about the difference and after hearing her accounts of all three births I definitely want to deliver at home if possible. She said the worst part was not being able to move around in a hospital or change position. She said all you need to give birth is calm older women around you.

I'm also really happy with my midwife because she straight up says if there's anything she's not experienced with or has any concern about shell just take me to a hospital.

BrideNamedMeg · August 2013

I thought it was a great documentary. Of course, they're going to show "their side" but I think it's one that is VERY overlooked in this country. Most women who want to get drugs during labor aren't even aware that there are negative side affects, that some of them can stall labor, or if you get certain narcotics too soon to giving birth the baby could have serious issues.

Birth is so personal and is different for everyone. It's really important that women know their options and are empowered in their choices instead of just letting things happen to them once they step foot in the hospital. I'm so glad that we have the advantages of modern medicine when we need them, but for those that want a birth without those things (unless necessary) it's great to show that it's normal too! I thought homebirths were for hippies and crazy people until I watched BOBB. I had my first in the hospital, but it was instrumental in our second birth being at home.

farmfanatik · August 2013

Blonderedhead781 said:

I think those women that can go without meds are super strong women. I just don't know if I fit in that category. I'm a FTM, so I have never been through labor, but I do know my pain threshold isn't very high. I definitely don't want to have pitocin of I can help it, but I just don't know if I can turn down the epidural.

I disagree! I do not consider myself a super strong woman. In fact, I'm pretty much a wuss with a pretty low pain tolerance. Getting my blood drawn can make me cry. However, I had no pain meds during the birth because it was really important to me. You can absolutely do it if thats what you want. I won't lie, it wasn't glorious. It was a horribly long pain filled day, but in the end I am glad I did it. If all goes well with this one I will do it again.

MrsCLJeffries · August 2013

And talking about a biased sample (I'm sure this one is an outlier)...someone recently made a post on the bump about how she and her BF are afraid to have sex because they don't want the baby to get pregnant if it's a girl....

No. Just no. I'm struggling with words for this.

MrsCLJeffries · August 2013

That was supposed to quote @lopezalonso...

farmrose · August 2013

I've seen it several times. You should check out More Business of Being Born too it goes into greater detail and features some pro natural birth celebrity moms. I'm planning to go med-free because I don't do well with any kind of medications and don't want additional complications from the meds. Plus someone sticking a 6" needle into my spine scares the crap out of me. I'd love to have a home birth someday but think it might be better to have the first in a natural birth friendly hospital with a MW.

ETA: How any woman chooses to birth her baby is the right choice for her and her family. I think it's ridiculous that anyone try to force their way on someone meds or no meds. I think the documentary also stresses woman should be better informed about their options so they can make the best choice for themselves not just listen blindly to their provider. I'm a nurse and a lot of doctors couldn't care less about their patients thoughts or feelings they want to get you in and out and be done with you. Not all, but many will bully you into their way. I think it's sooo important that women and their SO learn as much as they can so they can advocate for themselves.

VineyardMel · August 2013

Just jumping in to say I hate the term "natural birth." Medicated or un-medicated are much more sensitive (and accurate) terms.

BrideNamedMeg · August 2013

FarmBoysWife said:

or if you get certain narcotics too soon to giving birth the baby could have serious issues.

It's not to soon, it's to late and they could have aspiration issues at birth. But again, it's something these ladies have to research for themselves to weigh the risks.

That's what I was saying, too close to the actual birth and of course people need to do their own research but the documentary gives you a good place to start at least. The narcotic thing was something I'd never heard until I watched TBOBB and I've been around pregnant women and babies my whole life!

linzerd · August 2013

I have seen this documentary. You should also watch "Pregnant in America". I would like to not use the drugs, BUT, my friend who also watched the same documentaries felt the same way, but when it came down to contraction time, she couldn't take it and got the epidural anyway. So, like I said, I would like not to, but I am willing to bet that when the time comes, I will.

Hrose7091 · August 2013

@smittypants most women's water doesn't even break before going to the hospital. Especially if you're induced. My water was broke around 17-18 hrs into my induction and I was in labor for 26 hours but my case was not normal as I was induced at 37 weeks and they expected me to labor for a long time. Yet my friend just has a c section in Virginia with her first baby. They recommended it after 8 hours of labor saying she wasn't progressing. Like I said before, it's really normal for labor to stall..

Brandyregnier5308 · August 2013

Loved the documentary super informative I really want a home birth with a midwife but my husband is dead set against it he wants me and baby in the safety of a hospital if the need for a Dr arises. Still very against the epidural but if I'm in a hospital In pain ill probably give in. Also very interested in a water birth! Now just have to get the hubs to agree!

Hrose7091 · August 2013

I think it's normal anywhere for a labor to stall. I've seen a lot of home births.. I've read Ina mays books and she talks about it herself and how some women go through days of labor..

KariB509 · August 2013

I've heard of the film but haven't watched it. Sounds interesting though. I've always been a pretty "go-with-the-flow" type of person so I don't really have a birth plan and didn't with DS either. I wasn't dead set on getting an epi with DS but wasn't against it either. At 4cm I could no longer bear the pain and got an epi and don't regret it for a second. I didn't have any issues with it, I felt like I enjoyed my delivery, DS was alert when he was born and nursed right away. I wouldn't be opposed to getting an epi again but if, for some reason, labor is different for me this time and I felt that I could handle it without an epi then I also wouldn't be opposed to going drug-free.

kls33145 · August 2013

After checking in on these boards, I hopped on Netflix and watched this documentary. I'm happy that I watched it; the part where they explained drugs in the past and their unknown effects was a huge eye opener. We don't know what drugs are harmful until innocent babies are born deformed and/or don't survive after being born....it absolutely makes you think twice about what goes into your body....no matter how "safe" it may be.

Scary stuff.

iheartbooks · August 2013

Speaking of doing research... Does anyone have any books and/or good websites on natural birth that they would recommend?

BrideNamedMeg · August 2013

@minnow1984 I loved Ina May's 'Guide to Childbirth' as well as 'Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way'. I though the Bradley book was super helpful in terms of really understanding the mechanics of labor and the things women do which work against their bodies without even realizing it. Ina May's book was definitely inspiring and had a lot of good info, but I credit my two unmedicated births to the Bradley one.

NortyLeigh · August 2013

I was induced with pitocin after my water broke 10 days early. Even though I'd been dilated to a 4 for 3 weeks, I never had contractions on my own. I also had an epidural. I'd always heard that inductions were horrible. I'm a huge wuss when it comes to pain and it wasn't bad at all. I was started on pitocin at 5 AM and my son was born before 2 PM. Labor and delivery was no big deal and my son is perfectly healthy.

SmittyPants · August 2013

Hrose7091 said:

@smittypants most women's water doesn't even break before going to the hospital. Especially if you're induced. My water was broke around 17-18 hrs into my induction and I was in labor for 26 hours but my case was not normal as I was induced at 37 weeks and they expected me to labor for a long time. Yet my friend just has a c section in Virginia with her first baby. They recommended it after 8 hours of labor saying she wasn't progressing. Like I said before, it's really normal for labor to stall..

No, most don't. Mine did.

Miliska · August 2013

I watched the documentary with my DH a while ago on Netflix. I also watched a similar documentary that was produced and filmed in Québec (which was nice, because there was more canadian health system references).

I think that in the two docs, the point of view is a bit bias. They educated me on labor, but they actually made me want to learn more (particularly about the medical side).

I'm not planning to have en epidural or any kind of medical interventions that are not necessary if the baby is not in distress. I'm currently on a waiting list to have a midwife. If I have my delivery with a midwife, I'll still have the baby in a hospital room, but with no medical assistance. (I'm a bit chicken though so I want to be in a hospital already - in case something would go wrong with the baby.)

LiFeIsAmIrAcLe · August 2013

I had never even heard of that before now! Will definitely be trying to watch it! I am a FTM (as in I never had to go through labor with my past two pregnancies). IMO, its easy for FTM's to be tough and say "I'm definitely not using any medication". I also think that statement is a little naive. Having never been through it before, I have no idea what my body will be capable of handling. I can be honest and say I am really hoping to be able to give birth without an epidural, but I've also decided that if my body just can't do it, I'm not gonna beat myself up for taking the meds. And I like what someone else mentioned above about the term "natural birth" not being as accurate (or sensitive) as "medicated" or "unmedicated". I think everyone's bodies handle pain differently, and some may be more capable than others of dealing with the pain level.

Hrose7091 · August 2013

Never claimed to be an expert... Geezzzz. Someone has her sassy pants on.

Hrose7091 · August 2013

Oh, and I've been through labor.. I don't need your condescending remarks. 26 hours of it

hisbeautyalways · August 2013

This video featuring Ina May is also really awesome and informative!

OakvilleMomof3+1 · August 2013

I love reading both sides of this debate and I try to understand the extremists on both sides. I think being informed will help us all make an informed decision probably somewhere in the middle. For instance I love the midwife natural option but I'd like to do it in a hospital just in case. And I want flexibility to get medication should I choose to. I've had 3 babies already. And each labour was very different. The middle one was natural with no drugs or interventions and I have to say I healed best from it. However my labour with my third was intolerable. She was posterior and the back labour was incessant. I wanted to knock myself out with a hammer and took the much needed epidural. I didn't feel like a failure. I went into each delivery decided to do what I thought was best to have a healthy delivery. Open minded.
For those of you wanting to see another opinion.....here is a blog I enjoy. You might get something out of it.
https://theadequatemother.wordpress.com/2012/03/21/ontario-plans-to-save-money-will-open-two-birthing-centers/

Some of the best stuff is in the comments also.

Happy researching.

Miliska · August 2013

LiFeIsAmIrAcLe said:

I had never even heard of that before now! Will definitely be trying to watch it! I am a FTM (as in I never had to go through labor with my past two pregnancies). IMO, its easy for FTM's to be tough and say "I'm definitely not using any medication". I also think that statement is a little naive. Having never been through it before, I have no idea what my body will be capable of handling. I can be honest and say I am really hoping to be able to give birth without an epidural, but I've also decided that if my body just can't do it, I'm not gonna beat myself up for taking the meds. And I like what someone else mentioned above about the term "natural birth" not being as accurate (or sensitive) as "medicated" or "unmedicated". I think everyone's bodies handle pain differently, and some may be more capable than others of dealing with the pain level.

I agree with this. A famous midwife in my province was saying in a debate on the radio that it's also important to make a distinction between pain and suffering. For instance, a midwife will help a woman to manage her pain during labor. If the woman is suffering though, this is a different story : if the pain is so intense you can actually go through the delivery safely for the baby, then pain management might not be enough / appropriate in some situations.

memali26 · August 2013

roxi9020 said:

It's not bullying to put information out there and encourage the natural way. Just like breast feeding, it is without a doubt healthier for baby to breastfeed than to use processed formulas, stating that is not bullying.

But it most certainly is bullying to tell a mother who is formula feeding, by chance or by choice, that breast is best over. and over. and over. again.

Sincerely, a mother who has been bullied for formula feeding, choosing induction AND getting an epidural. Go me!

liamandlettie · August 2013

I definitely will be checking this out! I think its important to keep an open mind, stay informed and get educated. I wish with my first I would have asked more questions. I did not have a "normal" labor and delivery. I never had a birth plan but damn I didn't think I would have torn down to my anal sphincter (sorry! ) so for that I am thankful I had an epidural. I don't know how many choices I have now (anyone been there? Lol). Terrified either way. I hope I have better insight this time around and have a little more control about decisons that I felt were made for me.

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