More reactions to the film "The Business of Being Born"
Guest blogger Annie sent in this post:
My reactions to the Business of Being Born have changed since I first saw the movie.
When I left, I was convinced that a natural childbirth, at home, was probably the ideal way to go. The scenes of the at-home births were so amazing and powerful, that I thought every woman should experience this. I particularly liked that the women did not give birth lying down, but in different positions. It seemed that giving birth in the hospital is also painful, so you might as well do it at home, where it's slightly less creepy.
But, the movie didn't really show anyone who had a positive hospital experience. I understand that intervening too early with pitocin (or other labor inductions) and epidurals accelerates the need for a c-section, which should generally be avoided. I also understand that sometimes doctors just do c-sections in order to get home for dinner on time. But I think there are many women who had epidurals, no c-section, and were perfectly satisfied with their birthing experience.
There was something slightly condescending about the tone of the movie. At one point, Ricki Lake says, "I think some women just want the baby to be born, healthy, and be done with it." I was offended by that because I had just been thinking that what happens after the baby is born is more important, and all of that birthing stuff doesn't interest me. For some women, natural at-home childbirth might be the way to go. But, for others, I would think the anxiety of the potential for pain and the fear that a medical catastrophe might occur would be too much to handle, and they should go to a hospital.
And anyway, even if you decide to go at home with the midwife, I think it's really reckless not to affiliate with a doctor and have a good back-up plan.
Three cheers to Jamie for sitting through that movie!
My reactions to the Business of Being Born have changed since I first saw the movie.
When I left, I was convinced that a natural childbirth, at home, was probably the ideal way to go. The scenes of the at-home births were so amazing and powerful, that I thought every woman should experience this. I particularly liked that the women did not give birth lying down, but in different positions. It seemed that giving birth in the hospital is also painful, so you might as well do it at home, where it's slightly less creepy.
But, the movie didn't really show anyone who had a positive hospital experience. I understand that intervening too early with pitocin (or other labor inductions) and epidurals accelerates the need for a c-section, which should generally be avoided. I also understand that sometimes doctors just do c-sections in order to get home for dinner on time. But I think there are many women who had epidurals, no c-section, and were perfectly satisfied with their birthing experience.
There was something slightly condescending about the tone of the movie. At one point, Ricki Lake says, "I think some women just want the baby to be born, healthy, and be done with it." I was offended by that because I had just been thinking that what happens after the baby is born is more important, and all of that birthing stuff doesn't interest me. For some women, natural at-home childbirth might be the way to go. But, for others, I would think the anxiety of the potential for pain and the fear that a medical catastrophe might occur would be too much to handle, and they should go to a hospital.
And anyway, even if you decide to go at home with the midwife, I think it's really reckless not to affiliate with a doctor and have a good back-up plan.
Three cheers to Jamie for sitting through that movie!
Labels: film labor
posted by Jamie at
10:39 AM
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