Business of Being Born
Thursday, January 17, 2008
By now, you've read several of my postings on midwifery. Now there's a great documentary film in theaters about birth and midwifery that I thought some of you might be interested in seeing. Produced by Ricki Lake and set in Manhattan, The Business of Being Born is in theaters through the long weekend:
January 9 - 22, 2008
IFC FILM CENTER
323 6th Avenue, New York, NY
More show listings here, including Cali, Canada, Seattle, Minnesota, Bermuda, etc...
It's also on Netflix if that's more your speed.
You can watch the trailer on YouTube, and here's a short description:
Among 33 industrialized nations, the United States is tied with Hungary, Malta, Poland and Slovakia with a death rate of nearly 5 per 1,000 babies. This is the second worst newborn death rate in the developed world.
Why?
Compelled to find answers after a disappointing birth experience with her first child, actress Ricki Lake recruits filmmaker Abby Epstein to examine and question the way American women have babies. The film interlaces intimate birth stories with surprising historical, political and scientific insights and shocking statistics about the current maternity care system. When director Epstein discovers she is pregnant during the making of the film, the journey becomes even more personal. Should most births be viewed as a natural life process, or should every delivery be treated as a potentially catastrophic medical emergency?
(from http://www.thebusinessofbeingborn.com/)
I've seen it a bunch of times now, and think it is a terrific, eye-opening piece of work. If you're interested in finding out more, please let me know!
-dr-
Labels: business of being born, midwifery
