San Francisco Chronicle Profiles Documentary On Birthing Practices

Main Category: Pregnancy / Obstetrics
Also Included In: Nursing / Midwifery
Article Date: 16 Jan 2008 - 5:00 PDT

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The San Francisco Chronicle on Sunday profiled a new independent documentary, titled "The Business of Being Born," which examines the "politics, economics and history" of giving birth. The film, which was made by former talk show host Ricki Lake and friend Abby Epstein, includes footage of both women's deliveries, as well as interviews with midwives, ob-gyns and several pregnant women.

According to the Chronicle, the documentary "clearly takes a stance on defending" midwifery and questions whether U.S. women "have been convinced that they are not responsible for the birth of their children or simply don't know how to give birth on their own." Lake and Epstein said that their mission in creating the film was to empower women and remind them that they have options for giving birth. In the film, Lake gave birth at home with a midwife, and Epstein planned a home birth but gave birth five weeks early in a hospital when her infant became breech.

"The film is not advocating anything but choice," Lake said. Epstein and Lake said that the most important point of the film is that many women in the U.S. seem to believe that technology in hospital delivery rooms is the only option. According to the Chronicle, the film also suggests that the "sharp rise" in caesarean sections in recent years is a "doctor-friendly" trend that helps hospitals avoid malpractice lawsuits and allows them to release women faster.

Lis Worcester and Maria Iorillo of the Bay Area Homebirth Collective, a San Francisco-based umbrella group of seven midwifery practices, said the film will discredit beliefs that midwifery is dangerous. The documentary, which launched at the Tribeca Film Festival last year, officially premieres Friday in San Francisco (Vigil, San Francisco Chronicle, 1/13).

A trailer of the film is available online.

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