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| The Business of Being Born | 
 enlarge | Director: Abby Epstein
Actor: Ricki Lake
Studio: New Line Home Video
Category: DVD
List Price: $27.98
Buy New: $18.28
You Save: $9.70 (35%)
Buy New/Used from $17.95
Avg. Customer Rating:  (50 reviews)
Sales Rank: 4130
Format: Color, Dolby, Dubbed, Dvd-video, Widescreen, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), Spanish (Dubbed)
Rating: Unrated
Media: DVD
Running Time: 87 minutes
Number Of Items: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.3 x 0.6
MPN: TRNDN38370D
UPC: 794043120787
EAN: 0794043120787
ASIN: B0013LL2XY
Release Date: May 6, 2008
Theatrical Release Date: 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Studio: New Line Home Video Release Date: 05/06/2008 Rating: Nr
Amazon.com
Is it conceivable that in the United States, profit is increasingly driving the business of birthing--sometimes at the expense of the best possible outcome for mothers and babies? Should birth be viewed and treated as a natural process or a potential medical emergency? This documentary, produced by Ricki Lake and directed by Abby Epstein, opines that money and fear are changing the way Americans give birth, and not necessarily for the better. Beginning with shocking statistics that the United States has the second-worst newborn death rate in the developed world and one of the highest maternal mortality rates in industrialized countries, the film presents interviews with medical professionals including Dr. Jacques Moritz, OB/GYN from St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital; Dr. Michel Odent, OB/GYN researcher; and Masden Wagner, MD, former Director for Women's and Children's Health at the World Health Organization. Each expert paints a dismal picture of American birthing and emphasizes the frequent overuse of medical procedures in what are otherwise potentially normal deliveries. Stressing the prevalent use of midwives in birthing in other developed nations (70% of births are attended by midwives in Europe and Japan, versus 8% in the U.S.), the documentary then follows Cara Muhlhahn, a certified nurse midwife in New York City, as she attends a variety of home births. The footage is candid and sometimes very graphic, showing various home-delivery methods, including water birth. Interviews with Cara and her clients emphasize their shared philosophy on birthing as a normal life process that, when attended by a caring and well-trained midwife, can be both empowering and exhilarating. Though a midwife is often characterized as a supportive, but medically untrained birth attendee, the film dispels that stereotype, stressing a good midwife's solid training and knowledge of when it's appropriate to seek outside medical intervention. Key in every birth is a commitment to doing what's best for mother and baby, regardless of pre-planned agendas. The filmmaker's lament is that hospitals and doctors often too quickly advocate medical intervention in the interest of saving time and avoiding potential litigation. While unquestionably advocating midwifery over hospital birthing, this documentary presents solid expert opinions, concrete facts and statistics, and anecdotal experiences of both mothers and midwives that are crucial in making an informed decision about the use of midwifery in birthing as well as enlightening as to the current state of birthing in the United States. --Tami Horiuchi
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| Customer Reviews: Read 45 more reviews...
 Very informative November 14, 2008
As a student nurse I would have to say that my observations support this film and their positive view of midwife deliveries. Even a couple of maternal nurse instructors told me that they would use a midwife if the hospital equipment was near by. I have to say that I'm disappointed that my nursing school did not cover midwife delivery in lecture. How can future nurses advise patients (aka CLIENTS in our nursing books) of all the options available to them when we don't discuss alternative delivery options ourselves? Women are now having c-sections so that their child can enroll in school more quickly. The world is in such a rush we're rushing babies out of their womb before they're ready. The happiest baby on the block is another good dvd to watch. I think the reason for the state mandated PKU test of neonates or newborns should be looked at because I think it has to do with the effects of splenda. Don't believe me? Just google PKU and splenda and then google PKU and newborn and test. I tried to bring this observation up with my instructor but it went in one ear and out the other and I was told that I don't critically think.
finally the truth comes out November 12, 2008
just watched this documentary and was very moved by it...to tears and anger. i have had 5 home births and plan my 6th in a couple of weeks. i have witnessed a birth in the hospital and it was exactly how it was portrayed in the film. we went in completely wanting a natural birth and gradually the machines and complete strangers took over the birth. eventually, the mother was told a c-section would be done if she didn't get on with it which gave her incentive to do all she could (even though she couldn't feel anything 'cos of all the meds they gave her). i left the experience shaking with anger and wracked with sobs that they had deprived my friend of the wonderful experience birth is supposed to be. i'm a wimp when it comes to everything but i will not be denied my right to give birth how i want to the way GOD created me to. i hate that women have this taken away from them and that babies are put through torture with all the meds and interventions. and that the doctors dare to tell all the women they mess with that it was for their own good, and how the doctors 'saved' their lives and that of their newborns...absolute lies in most cases.
please, consider home birth. look into it in depth don't just 'go with the flow.' before doctors took over women gave birth with their friends and family around them at home for centuries. yes it hurts, but the rewards are forever. i've never met anyone who regretted their homebirth and yet have countless friends have terrible hospital experiences.
a friend of mine who is a doctor said that there is no such thing as a 'natural' birth in a hospital...as soon as you walk in it is 'unnatural' and i totally agree.
blessings on those of you who have chosen and will choose homebirth...may that wonderful practice never be squashed by anyone!!
i know this has turned into more of a 'rant' than a 'review.' i was very glad that someone in the public eye finally woke up and saw the truth and was able to shout it.
Must See!!! October 5, 2008
Every human needs to see this movie to learn the truth about childbirth in America.
 Perspective from an OBGYN's son who does like natural child birth. September 28, 2008
2 out of 7 found this review helpful
My wife and I have briefly talked about midwives vrs OBGYN's. My wife was delivered by a midwife at home. We are open to the idea of delivering at home and learning about the different options as well as the risks.
We are awaiting our 2nd child.
What I saw that I liked:
I enjoyed the openmindedness of the movie presenting a positive viewpoint of home births. Pointing out that women having a different perspective than a lot of OBGYN's.
Being raised by an OBGYN I have had difficulties understanding the "hospital is best" perspective. I learned that an OBGYN was taught specific procedures, and tests that should be given to produce specific results. Med students are great at knowing different parts of the body, diagnosing illnesses, and working with urgent situations. They aren't trained adequately in the different ways the bodies healing systems work together. They don't view child birth as a natural process, but rather as a condition that needs to be treated. Due to this it can be hard for OBGYN's to believe in and understand alternative child birthing methods.
I agree that hospitals birthing is limiting. Because of this some OB's can not be as personal as they could be. They are given standards that they follow irregardless of what the women may want.
You can't blame OBGYN's. You can't blame hospitals. The whole system is full of quirks. But we can't live without them.
Things I didn't like,
The movie talked about OBGYN's only being trained in doing surgeries all day long. It stated that they don't have the proper training to do OB Care with the patients. They don't always provide the emotional care that the mother needs during the birthing process. Midwifes can fulfill this need more easily. The movie did not list any benefits about hospital births and is therefore very biased.
I didn't appreciate seeing a lady compeletly nude in the bathtub. I understand that it is part of the birthing process but they didn't need to show it in that way in the movie.
It stated that OBGYN's don't offer as personalized care as mid wive's can. I think that depends on the individual mid wife and OB. In the movie the lady talked about having a midwife and and OB and her never thinking about going back to the OB. What I got out of this is that she had an impersonal OB and a personal midwife.
Must see for any pregnant woman September 22, 2008
If you are pregnant this is a must see. It gives a lot of great perspective on what really goes on in the hospitals in the US.
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