I helped coordinate a screening of the movie, "The Business of Being Born" this past Friday evening. There were close to 50 people there. Some pregnant couples, some moms who are way past the baby/diaper stage, some interested in women's health. They all came and watched the movie with wider eyes than normal. They saw Ricki Lake allow herself to be completely vulnerable on the camera and tell a story of how birth is becoming a business where it's being "done" to women, instead of women finding themselves empowered to make their own choices.
There were some women who wanted or had, like Ricki with her 2nd baby, a home birth. There was history shared about the lack of midwifery presence in the U.S., as opposed to other industrialized countries (Japan having an 80% midwifery presence).
Asking the question "why" is an important one in order to make informed choices in regards to birthing babies, taking our children to their pediatricians, selecting foods for our family to eat, etc., etc...
Home birth may not be for everyone. However, as Paul Crane, OB/GYN stated at another panel presentation: "Why can't we bring the home birth to the hospital?"
I would add that it is our baby's birthright to come into the world filled with love.
A room where his/her mom births in awareness. This is the right start for one's future.
I'm curious to see what these babies will look like when they grow up, having been birthed with this love. What a wonderful world it will be (thanks, Nat King Cole)!
Mindfully,
Lisa
