The Business of Being Born

Hullabaloo2016 · July 2015

I watched this last night for the 2nd time. I'm really, really, really considering going natural birth route. Not at home mind you, but the birthing center at the hospital I will be delivering at is very open to midwifery and natural births. They actually have midwives on staff in the OB/GYN offices. Common I know for those of you in Europe, not so common in the U.S.

Anybody else ever watch this documentary? Have any thoughts?

blueeyedrose86 · July 2015

I watched it prior to getting pregnant the first time and it's a good documentary. I recommend the book, Ina May's Guide to Childbirth if you want to labor and deliver naturally. It helped me a lot with my first!

parenthood4 · July 2015

I watched it and found it very interesting as well. I second Ina May's guide to childbirth, it's great!

I had an epidural with my first and went med free with my second. I'm so glad I did it, and plan and hope to go med free again.

I also used a midwife at my doctors office and it was a wonderful experience. Good luck if that's what you choose to do!

Hullabaloo2016 · July 2015

Thanks @blueeyedrose, I'll check that book out! How bad was it really? I guess I just want it to happen as natural as possible, without the epidural slowing things down, so then they give petocin to speed things up, but then the contractions are so strong that you need more epidural meds, which slows things down again and here we are on a vicious cycle, only to get to the point the Doc says, baby is in distress, this is taking too long, you need a C-section.

parenthood4 · July 2015

Just remember, while that does happen sometimes, it's not a guarantee. I had an epidural with my first, but my labor was only about 5.5 hours and no other interventions (pitocin or forceps or anything). So you never know!

But going med free with my second was even better. Labor was about the same amount of time but recovery was much better an easier. For me, it only really hurt for about an hour before she was born (going from 8-10 and pushing). Before that it was very manageable.

But everyone has different experiences! I'm not sure if I could handle med free if I had super long labors.

ashcav · July 2015

I watched it a few years ago.

My ob also works with midwives, and I have the options of a birth center birth with midwives or a hospital birth with ob or midwife. I will likely go hospital because I'd rather err on the side of caution but I may go with a midwife in the hospital.

Rox2012 · July 2015

I want to go natural this go round but.... My last child the OB kept saying I would go into labor any day now. I was dilated to a 3-4 for a couple of weeks. I had to be induced which = no fun. I still wanted to go natural but when they crank up the petocin its over. The would not lower it even after I was in labor. Needless to say I had an epidural. But I am soooo glad I did. I was in labor I think 12 hours my baby was sunny side up... They figured this out after I pushed 2hrs straight. And then they brought out the kiwi suction. So just go into labor with an open mind. I will try to go natural this time but I will be requesting an ultrasound before I start pushing. Just keep an open mind because things don't always go as planned.

jess9802 · July 2015

I'm not a fan of the documentary. I saw it after I gave birth and believed it was incredibly one-sided in a way that failed to point out the very real dangers of out-of-hospital birth (especially in the US, where the education, licensing, and regulation of midwives varies widely but is generally not as stringent as in European countries). Homebirth has been something of a controversy in my state and I've been paying attention to the issue for a few years now, so I have a very jaded view of the documentary as a result.

northernmama2013 · July 2015

I echo everyone's recommendations for Ina May's book. It's very empowering and has a lot of great information about the stages of labour, and the mind-body connection.I did not read it with my first and wish I had! I had a med-free birth first time around, but ended up needing vacuum assist at the end. I wasn't pushing effectively for the first little while, and was pushing for two hours, leaving me exhausted. It was really painful and disappointing (the vacuum assist). Things I realize I need to do differently this time around are to make sure I'm peeing lots as I labour, and eating if possible. My labour was fast overall, so I didn't really think about eating, but I know that the boost of energy from food would have helped me in the end.

I haven't actually watched The Business of Being Born! I probably will at some point in this pregnancy, but to be honest it doesn't really appeal to me for some reason.

Hullabaloo2016 · July 2015

@northernmama2013 There is also More Business of Being Born Parts 1-4, most of that I believe is about Ina May! Or she plays an integral part.

popcornplease · July 2015

Loved it, was a diehard home birth natural planning momma with my first. Then, finally went into labor at 42 1/2w and after 3 days (all active labor) went in to the hospital and had a c section because LO wouldn't drop.
Praying for a birth with fewer interventions this time. I still believe my body IS capable of the birth process- just hoping this next LO is more agreeable to that as well.

jmathi0149 · July 2015

I was all for meds the first time around but the epidural only worked on the right side of my body. I even had then reset it, twice. I ended up being able to feel everything on the left then the right side of my body felt like it was under a car. I am going to try to go med free this time. Even with an epidural I went from 4 to 10 in an hour and a half and only pushed 3 times. I really think I could do it naturally. I had a ton of complications the first time though so it will definitely be in the hospital.

oceanchild · July 2015

I love the doc, and have watched it so many times. I have had 3 very different birth experiences (my most recent being natural/drug-free hospital birth (midwives are illegal in my state - legislation which many of us are fighting to change!)), and my natural birth was by far the best. Looking forward to another natural birth, but also *super* supportive of every mama's right to choose how SHE wants to birth, and respectful of that choice!

skruhmin · July 2015

I've had both types (unmedicated and epidural) under midwife care - first one went completely without (except for a tiny dose of pitocin after stalling) and the second one I stalled and had to have a lot of pitocin - I lasted until the last hour when it became unbearable. I'm allergic to narcotic pain meds so that's why I went without first go around. The anesthesiologist found a cocktail that worked for me and I am so thankful for it - it gave me the last push I needed to relax to get my 9.1 pounder out. Both of my deliveries were hospital deliveries that were very friendly to midwives - I had a midwife catch both times and will this third time.

pumpkinhead4 · July 2015

If you find the right MD and hospital, you can have a very "natural" birth that you feel in control of. Doctors do not set out to harm, it's in their oath. But they do keep your best interest at heart and will do whatever it takes to ensure safety. educate yourself on where you are delivering and remember you are your number 1 advocate. If you don't want an epidural that is completely your choice,etc. As beautiful as a home birth sounds it's extremely dangerous. Good luck and consider all options, birth is a great experience if you have an open mind and keep your eye on the prize.

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