After experiencing both a hospital and home birth, Ricki Lake felt a strong desire to share her experiences with others which ranged from feelings of vulnerability and fear during her hospital birth to those of elation and security during her home birth. The new documentary The Business of Being Born, produced by Ricki Lake and directed by Abby Epstein, takes a look at America's maternity care system and sheds light on how America views the birthing process.
For many women, the birthing process is something they feel should have medical intervention while at the other end of the spectrum there is growing number of women who choose a more natural approach towards birth and select to have their children at home. Lake and Epstein interviewed countless mothers, midwives, obstetricians and share statistics and facts about home and hospitals births.
The film also shows many mothers sharing their birth stories and asks, "Should most births be viewed as a natural life process, or should every delivery be treated as a potentially catastrophic medical emergency?" Whether you already have children, are currently pregnant or are even thinking about starting a family, The Business of Being Born should be on your "must see" list.
The film is being released in select theaters this month, and will be available on Netflix in February.
© 2010 Apartment Therapy
For those of you here in Portland Or there is a screening on Feb 10th at the Hollywood. Here is a link to buy tickets
https://robot.boxofficetickets.com/800-494-TIXS/WebObjects/BOTx2005.woa/wa/inspectSubprogram?id=204081&passKey=e5a41770b8&webWrapNC=1
view graysquirrel's profile
I recently saw it with my husband. Very informative, very engrossing.
view melissagbl's profile
It's playing at the IFC in NYC. There are baby-friendly showings on a few mornings a week. It really is a great film that exposes how far apart the maternity care system in the USA is from that in other industrialized countries.
view lb's profile
It makes me happy to see the "other side" represented. Had my kids at home too, and the ecstatic look on her face says it all...
view aweekinparis's profile
I saw a screening of this movie a few months ago. Definitely a fantastic movie in it's own right and a must see for all women of childbearing age IMO.
view mama k's profile
i'm pregnant & just watching the trailer made me burst in to tears. i think i'll have to get the dvd.
view saltyc's profile
ok, definitely wanna watch. i was one of the halfway in between birthers. wanted all natural, but knew if i wasn't in a hospital i would end up stressing out about all the possible things that could go wrong. but being in the hospital allowed me to not think about it (i'm very good at ignoring comments/thoughts that i don't want to hear). i have to say...my hospital was fantastic. even though they're a very medical environment and known for their interventions...i couldn't have asked for more supportive nurses and doctor. every nurse on staff that day was stopping in to offer moral support. i felt so d*mn powerful. I AM WOMAN! HEAR ME ROAR!
sorry...i get excited because i'm still so proud of myself.
view bbt's profile