The Business of Being Born

[aragornlover8]

I know that this is more for when we all get our BFPs, but I thought I would see who has watched the documentary The Business of Being Born. It's produced by Ricki Lake and focuses on the birthing industry in the United States. It criticizes a lot of the current ob/gyn practices when it comes to giving birth (such as lying on your back, your feet in stirrups, pitosin drips to induce/speed up labor) and how even if you want a truly natural birth experience, a doctor may change that with a quick decision at any point in the process.
I'm not trying to say that doctors are evil or anything; I am extremely glad that we have them and that they do such a wonderful job in times of crises. However, I thought it would be a fun clip to share with you guys and see what you think!

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwqLrHMbK1g

P.S.: The whole documentary is available on Netflix instant-play if you're interested!

 

[keyahopes]

Interesting...will check it out. Thanx!

 

[maaybe2010]

I can't wait to (hopefully) get to write my birth plan!
I want a water birth

Thanks for this x x

 

[aragornlover8]

I really want a water birth too. My mom is a nurse, though, and she wants me to at least have the baby in a hospital, just in case of complications. I'm not sure how I feel about that yet. I'm probably going to be one of those women who puts their doctor through a rigorous script of questions until I choose who will birth my baby.

 

[Helly]

That was fascinating, thank you!

 

[abstersmum]

i couldnt believe it when i watched it, very different to my experience of birth in the uk

 

[aragornlover8]

i couldnt believe it when i watched it, very different to my experience of birth in the uk

Yeah, they talk a lot about how different European births are throughout the documentary, that they are a lot more natural and that midwives are a lot more active in the process. It's funny because, living in the US, I've taken for granted that birthing has to be like what I've seen on tv and never realized how many options there really are.

 

[LadyofRohan]

I love this documentary. I even bought a copy of it before DH and I started TTC ! We sat down and watched it together.

DH thinks it's fascinating because he's used to the UK system (he's from Liverpool) and he says it so different from what we have here in the US. We've already decided that when we get pregnant we're going with a free standing birthing center with midwives.

If you like the Business of Being Born then I recommend Ina May's Guide to Childbirth and The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth. Very interesting reads! They are like my childbirth bibles