My friend Tara and I went to see a screening of a new documentary called “The Business of Being Born” at my local art center, which was packed full of dulas and midwives. It was an amazing movie that shows how the culture of birth, in the United States, is based on mis-information. Tara sent out an email (see below) urging friends and family to see it. It will be released nationally in January at limited locations and will be available on Netflix in March.
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Hello Friends,
If you are a woman, are having a baby, thinking someday you might, have had babies and now have a daughter, I think you would enjoy this movie to learn more about birth and well woman care in our culture and it’s future. Or maybe all of them! Or you have a practice where you can spread this news around.
Anyway I wanted to share this great film with you all. It is called The Business of Being Born and it is a documentary that Ricki Lake (yes remember her? weirdoes and makeovers??) made about the culture of birth in our country. Largely inspired by the different birth experiences she had with her two children, one at a hospital and one at home. I was privileged to attend a screening of this film last month, along with a panel discussion that included Ricki Lake (producer/actress) and Abby Epstein (filmmaker) and it was fabulous. It was not all about homebirth or being judgmental about the choices woman make and it is not a film that attacks modern medicine or hospitals. Quite the contrary, it is about educating the modern American woman about her choices for birth in this country. It is about true informed consent being made by educated consumers. And it was beautifully done. You have nothing to lose seeing this movie and everything to gain if it helps you make a more informed decision in your personal health future or that of your daughter, niece, sister…
The movie is yet to be released nationally, that will happen in January in NYC, LA & San Fransciso. In March, it will be released on Netflicks. But you are lucky enough to be invited to a screening in Nyack, NY at the Riverspace Theater on THURSDAY DECEMBER 13th at 7:30PM. Tickets are $10, parent/child tickets are $15.
Please take a look at the website and consider coming out to see this film. I felt as I was watching it like this movie was one small step for woman and one giant step for womankind. Come out and support the sisterhood of woman in this country demanding whole woman care for ourselves and our daughters. I wouldn’t be asking you to come see this movie if I didn’t think it was worth every second of your time, trust me I have a toddler who doesn’t nap I know how precious free time is! So please spread the word, tell your friends, call your aunties, heck even grab your gramma and I hope to see you all in Nyack on the 13th.
Peace to you all,
Tara
December 10th, 2007 at 11:44 am
I just saw it this past weekend. What is so great about it is that it really provides the context for starting/continuing/reinvigorating discussion in our communities. Our Q&A following the screening was really powerful, and I hope we can capitalize on the enthusiasm. The cesarean rate at my local hospital is above 30%. It’s alarming that Montana reflects American birth culture and practice.