Business of Being Born

When I created this site I didn't want my blog posts to be formed from my bias opinion. However, I have begin to realize that I am here not to just give you information but to share my heart. Also, I understand that I do have opinions and they are biased because they come from my own experiences. I didn't create this site to make others like me but to give the best information possible. I am more than a news reporter.

Business of Being Born

Today I would like to share with you my thoughts and insights on the documentary called Business of Being Born. I must say, it was a true eye opener for me. Before I saw the documentary I sort of knew that I wanted a natural birth; meaning no drugs and medical inductions. But after I watched it, I was certain of it.

The movie really does a compare and contrast of having a midwife or an OB. They look at the medical industry with a critical eye. And the more OB appointments I attend, I understand why. I started off with a midwife but because of insurance reasons had to switch. The midwife had me take all of the necessary tests but the office I switched to didn't seem to care even though they told me to bring my medical records. I was under the impression that I didn't have to take the same test twice. I was wrong. I know many of you will say it is to protect themselves and that may be true but my insurance got charged for the same tests twice. Any way whats done is done.

On Business of Being Born, produced by Ricki Lake, they inform you that in the past all babies were delivery by midwives. Believe it or not that is the way it is still done in most of the world, and these countries have a smaller death rate in infants and mothers.

In this country we believe that having the latest advancements in technology will keep us safer. On the contrary. Many of the interventions we use are meant for emergencies. Most women are having normal births not emergencies.

A baby being born is not an emergency but rather a natural process that the body can do without help. Birth was perfectly designed and we don't need to help it.

The documentary points out that when we interrupt the body's natural process; it causes problems. One intervention leads to the next.

Example:

If your labor is induced by Pitocin; it makes the contractions unnaturally stronger. Since the contractions are unnaturally stronger and faster your body is not able to adapt to the changes. This will make you need an epidural which will slow down your contractions. Then you will require more Pitocin. This could make the baby's heart rate drop, which will lead to an emergency C Section.

I know this doesn't happen in every case but it does happen. In my opinion natural is the way to go.

Also Business of Being born explained that hospitals have a time frame in which they want labor to progress in. Unfortunately, labor is not this predictable. But there are some things you can do to get the process going.

Maybe if the hospital would allow all patients to walk around, eat, and stop making labor something to fear; it would move along faster.

The documentary didn't try to bad mouth the medical industry. It just sheds some light on a few problems. They informed women to do our research and to try not to be scared into anything. Learn what the pros and cons are and make an informed decision.

I really enjoyed watching the movie. They showed natural birth at its finest in homes and birth centers. I was really shocked that Ricki Lake chose to be nude during her labor and allowed it on camera. I'm sure she got a lot of fan mail for that. They also showed an emergency birth, which took place at the hospital. See, interventions have there place but not in every case.

The truth is that doctors specialize in surgery. They are bored unless somethings is going wrong. Think about it, they don't show up until it is time to push. They are there to catch. Midwives specialize in natural low risk births. They are with you through your labor. They can listen to your voice and tell if you are progressing.

Ricki also produced a documentary series called More business of being born. It covered birth stories, doulas, vbacs, and c sections.

If you are uncertain about the proper birth method for you I would suggest watching these movies and make an informed decision.

Thanks for reading,