Good for Ricki Lake! After moving to the US, I was shocked to learn of the sterile and highly interventional birth process that most women in this country experience. They go to a hospital (are they ill?) where a doctor, rather than midwife, is the expert on scene.

In the UK, it was very different. Many of my friends gave birth at home, even water births. The tub is set up in advance of your due date if you choose this option. I had planned for a water birth at the birth unit because I had a few minor health complications which meant that I was advised to forego the home birth, "just to be safe". Preeclampsia required induction and no water birth in the end, but still, it was only my husband, myself, and the midwives in attendance at the birth unit. The midwives had my birth plan and followed it even against my wishes, in the moment, for medical pain relief -- I'm still not sure whether to thank them or hate them for that one!

I prefer the thought of an educated group of midwives in a place which is dedicated wholly to pregnancy and birthing over a floor in the hospital which is dedicated to illness, injury, and death.

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Sounds interesting, but that statistic about the US having the second-highest infant mortality rate is misleading. See this article on Slate (http://www.slate.com/id/2161899/) for an in-depth explanation, but in short, we have more infant deaths mostly because we have many more premature births than we used to. This does not, of course, make it any better, but it does suggest some different strategies for addressing the problem are in order, and the medical establishment certainly bears a lot of the blame.

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I gave birth in a hospital here in the US, and the nurses were AMAZING, coaching me through the breathing, holding my hands, and reassuring me throughout the process. The doctor was also fantastic, doing much of the same in coaching, and mentioning alternatives at each step. I guess I don't see what makes a nurse/doctor team so inferior and institutional compared to a midwife? Also, the floor at the hospital I gave birth in was dedicated to births, not injury/death/despair. I think most hospitals in the US are like that. Why do all of you want to give birth in your own homes? My water broke at home, a week early, and I couldn't wait to get to the hospital. I guess I'm just too American. (I also have white carpeting..) Please explain your feelings, because I'm curious.

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I am pretty sure Ricki Lake is a doula. I've heard her say so on her old show. Good for her.

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Kristie,
Like you I didn't see what all the fuss was over a home birth. I was totally fine with a giving birth in a hospital.
However, unlike you, I didn't have such a positive experience being at the hospital. I'm not sure whose experience is more typical, but I for one am a lot more open with a home birth the next go-around. At the very least next time I am going with a midwife as opposed to a doctor.
My hospital experience wasn't terrible, (the nurses were nice enough) but I didn't feel like I had much say in anything. At the hospital they sometimes pressure you into a lot of things that aren't really necessary and often you don't even know what your choices are. When I did speak up, I didn't feel like my wishes were respected - even on the occasion when they were followed, I only felt like I was being humored.
Maybe if I had been more assertive it would have been different. But even though I am normally a fighter, being in labor in the middle of the night, I was in no state to be arguing with the doctors.
Bottom line is I didn't feel like the nurses and doctors were on my side, it felt like they had their own agenda of how to do things. I think this is why many people opt for the midwife/home birth options. In my observations, midwifes seem to have the philosophy that you should have more control over your labor experience. For me, more control means I will feel less vulnerable and helpless which will hopefully mean a better birthing experience.

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It's so sad that women mistrust their bodies AND their babies so much.

I, personally, had 2 unassisted home waterbirths - both of which would have been c-sections (for each of their own issues) IF I had gone to the hospital. I know I took things further than most people feel comfortable, but I don't care what most people are comfortable with - it wasn't about others. It was about my baby and myself. So, I gave birth to 2 boys almost 9 pounds and the other was over 10 pounds - and yes, we had cord issues, but we were prepared. I am not the average woman who allows the doctor all of the responsibility.

Knowledge is power...and birthing has the most empowering experiences of my life.

Found this interesting:
http://www.unhinderedliving.com/stats.html

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I am a doula and I have to admit that i have been disappointed in some of my hospital experiences so far. The doctors are too quick to jump to medical intervention, however, unfortunately because of the sue happy society we live in today, it leaves litle else that the medical personnel can do!

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I live in Portland, Oregon and can report that many, if not most, of the women in my circle of friends have given birth to their babies at home, including me. Two months ago I gave birth at home to my first baby, (who happens to be sitting on my lap nursing as I type this). I labored in a birth tub but ended up giving birth in a squatting position, leaning on my husband for support, midwives encircling, directly outside the tub. It was the most incredible, empowering experience of my life. I would not change a thing. I won't lie, yes, it hurt -- it was intensely painful -- but it is nothing that my body can't do. I believe if we trust ourselves, believe in ourselves and in our bodies, we can do this. There's no denying that hospitals are there for a reason -- absolutely -- but they're not there for a low-risk pregnancy. Pregnancy and childbirth are not a disease, however, with current medical interventions, c-sections, which are *major* abdominal surgery, are at an all-time high, almost 50% in many cities across the country. I applaud someone from Hollywood, Ricki Lake, for bringing this knowledge and information to mainstream America.

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Ricki -

Thank you for using your talents in a way that will without a doubt, have a profoundly positive impact on women in our society. This is one of the most responsible acts that a person in a position such as yours can do in giving back to the world. I am humbled.

You've created a stir among birth professionals everywhere - all are anxiously awaiting the release of your film. You have no idea the wave you've created by simply birthing your ideas, your passion, into a reality that will cause a renewal of faith in those exposed day after day to the medical machine.

You bring a certain kind of hope to those of us who want to see a shift in the mind and spirit, and in the beliefs of birthing women regarding the manner in which we bring our babies into the world.



Lasi Leavy, CD, HCHI, CHt.
ALACE Birth Doula / Hypnobabies Childbirth Hypnosis Instructor
Founder Mothering & More Birth Network
State Coordinator Operation Special Delivery, PA, NJ, DE
www.MotheringandMore.org

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I was lucky enough to see the movie last night and encourage those who criticize Ricki Lake and the other women in "the business of being born" to watch the movie before passing judgement on the film. It is incredibly empowering and emotional and gives women information about their choices in childbirth. After the presentation of the film last night Ricki and Abby answered questions from the audience and I was impressed particularly by the comments of a doctor from NYU because it shows that the decision to have a more natural birth vs. a traditional hospital birth does not have to be an either/or situation. Unfortunately, I fear that most women's doctors are not so open-minded. Hopefully, this movie will start a dialog to encourage changes in our current system.
Today, I couldn't wait to share what I learned with my close friends and family. Even though I am not yet at the point in my life to have a child, I feel blessed to have been exposed to alternative options now so that when I am ready I will be able to make an informed decision. Also, I can now encourage those I care about to question the status-quo way of giving birth, to explore their options...
Thank you to the women who had the courage to share the births of their children with us. Thank you to the midwives and doulas and other healthcare providers who are trying to give women a choice in how they bring their children into the world. Thank you especially to the producers and director of this film for giving voice to an issue that has not been addressed before in the general public. My hope is that the film gets a wider-spread distribution so that other women can feel the sense of empowerment that I feel.

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When is this documentary scheduled to air?

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