PostingThe Business of Being Born

mposter_Small.jpg Should most births be viewed as a natural life process, or should every delivery be treated as a potentially catastrophic medical emergency? The Business of Being Born is a movie documentary just out that tackles the controversial debate between at-home and hospital births in the US. I don't think it's yet reached the UK (but if anyone's seen it in this country, please let me know). The chronicle follows the stories of married couples opting for home childbirth. You can see a trailer here. Executive producer is Ricki Lake who was inspired to make the film following the unsatisfying birth of her first child. Here is an interview with director Abby Epstein, who became pregnant herself while making the movie. Going by the trailer (I haven't seen the full movie) the film argues that hospital births are managed to suit doctors - and not mothers, who are losing out to the business side of medicine. It shows women in hospital hooked up to enough kit to power the Star Ship Enterprise, being bullied by scalpel-happy doctors. And yes, the mums having home births look fecund and womanly. I cried when some of them delivered their babies. Home birth is growing in popularity in the US - not surprising going by The Business of Being Born. Once I've seen the film, I'll report back in more detail.

Posted 18 January 2008 11:56

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Comments

Joyfulgirl said:

Does sound interesting. Before being pregnant I really thought I would love a home birth but then when pregnant I think I was too scared of the unknown to try see if it was an option. My hospiatl birth was so painful and I had so many 'procedures' that I find it hard to believe now that there is another way that would work for me. Another effect of a hospital birth with lots of intervention perhaps?

Posted 18 January 2008 14:06

orchidea said:

Oh dear - 1:0 for the home-birth mafia (I can't decide who to hate most - them or the breast-feeding mafia).



I gave birth in hospital twice and was blessed with wonderful care and even more wonderful aftercare. Of course having a longterm relationship with my gynae helped. And the midwife I had with my daughter was fab - she stayed with me for 14 hours, until the job was done. :)

Posted 18 January 2008 14:35

Helen said:

Joyfulgirl, no way would I have even considered home birth first time round - and I wouldn't have suggested it this time if my midwife hadn't raised the possibility.



Orchidea, my opinion is the NHS does it best, and the midwives/students/doctors who cared for me were all fantastic individuals who gave their all - but the system is under a lot of strain. BTW, the film is about US hospitals - who operate as businesses, unlike here in UK.

Posted 18 January 2008 15:20

iota said:

I think so much is to do with expectation. Here in the US, you get to know your obstetrician, and expect that he/she will deliver your baby. That must be much nicer than just turning up at the hospital and having whoever is on duty. But it does all seem a lot more medicalised, and inductions seem absolutely routine.



I think the main thing is to get rid of this silly competitiveness. It's not like you get a gold star for a home birth with no drugs, silver for hospital with just gas and air, but oh dear, bronze if you needed pethidin and forceps or horrors, even a Caesarean. We all know that what matters is a healthy mother and child, sensible risk management, and a really helpful positive supportive environment to achieve that, where the mother feels as at home as possible. How to translate that into reality is a tricky business, but I wish the debate could happen without the "my way is better than your way" agenda.



That film would be interesting, so do report back to us all.

Posted 18 January 2008 16:42

Helen said:

Iota, am horribly aware that part of this is some kind of stupid competitiveness - but don't seem able to shake it off!

Posted 18 January 2008 18:32

iota said:

I didn't mean YOU, dearheart. It's just part of the whole childbirth and child-rearing package these days. It's a continual battle to opt-out, but one worth fighting, and I think you do that.

Posted 18 January 2008 23:58

Beth said:

I'm not being funny but it's actually really hard for alot of us to opt for a home birth and breastfeeding for that matter - we have the lowest rates of breastfeeding in Europe and I think that's down to alot of unhelpful attitudes - both in public and in support services.



I was quite shocked when I was in the child health clinic in inner city London with my sprog as a baby and I was the only breastfeeding mother in a room packed with mums/infants.



If people come across as being in a 'mafia' it's because it's a big struggle to have a home birth in most places - a few counties like Cornwall have higher rates. But in most places, it's considered a really 'wacky' option.



Anyway, explore your options untill you feel happy and confident with whatever you choose - that's what is most important!

Posted 20 January 2008 23:15

Helen said:

Beth, are those rates in the UK - or in the US? Funnily enough, I found the only people who hassled me about breastfeeding were other new mums - who couldn't do it, wouldn't do it, or had to stop because they were going back to work. No man was brave enough even to cast a funny look in my direction. But I got lots of nasty comments from other women. Honestly, I ask you.

Posted 21 January 2008 10:42

Helen said:

Beth, sorry, just re-read your comment, see you must be talking about UK... doh.

Posted 21 January 2008 10:44

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