The Business Of Being Born (2008, DVD)

As a young woman from Alabama where midwifery is ILLEGAL, this documentary is life changing. I am enraged by my lack of options, and this wonderful piece of work has moved me to plan for my children's births in a neighboring state. Just to think...I can CHOOSE to go into any local "women's clinic" and legally commit nothing short of homicide, but I can't CHOOSE to have a perfectly capable midwife assist in the SAFE birth of my child. Something is wrong - very wrong.

I was fortunate to see a screening of this movie before it was released for sale and loved it. I think it's a accurate portrayal of hospital and home birth.

As a doula and student midwife, I think every man and woman planning to have children should see this movie. Be informed!

Even if you are not a fan of the natural childbirth/homebirth movement, you will learn a lot from this film about problems with childbirth in today's American hospitals. I gained a new respect for those who elect a homebirth and have a better understanding of what it means to have a homebirth attended by a skilled midwife. It is really interesting to see the homebirths in the film, which, unexpectedly, take place in urban New York City and not somewhere in rural America. The film has a definite point of view which sometimes can come across as anti-medicine, but if one is willing to look past some of the more radical viewpoints, there is a lot of insight to be gained about how to improve all births, both at home and in hospitals.

This movie is an eye-opener! If you watch only one movie your entire pregnancy, make it this one and watch it with your partner. I had a bad experience with my hospital birth and I so wish I'd seen this movie before my daughter was born. Even if you are dead set on a hospital birth, watch this as a beginning of your education in what interventions your doctor may suggest for you and your baby. You need to know the ropes so you can take charge of your own care!

Everyone should see this movie! I am sharing it with all of my friends and family. Riki Lake did a fantastic job with getting this movie into the eyes of the public. I can't wait for it to be shown on tv!

It is just an Amazing movie!!! it is something every woman and most men should see!!! it is very informative and real! Birth in the USA is mostly about money...hopefully after this women will see that they have a choice!!

This is a MUST SEE for every pregnant women! A fantastic expose of the status of birthing in the USA which is NOT empowering to women or safe for the health of mothers and babies. Information and motivation to take charge of your health and the health of your soon to be newborn. As a registered nurse, I have attended births using both the "standard" approach to birthing and the alternate presented in this film - go for it ladies (and supportive gentlemen)-get your eyes opened!!!!

This is a very well done documentary that every pregnant woman or any woman thinking of one day being pregnant in America should see. It is candid and honest and the truth about the money making business doctors and hospitals have made birth in America into.

This movie was an excellent view of standard birth approaches in the U.S. and how they differ from those of other industrialized nations (and as a result we have the second highest infant mortality rate of those nations). Although the movie has a clear bias towards natural/home birth, it does a good job of presenting the views of the traditional medical community.

I had already decided on a home birth before seeing this movie, but it solidified my decision and also helped me to win the support of my mother who was skeptical of home birth and left the screening we went to convinced that I was much safer giving birth at home with a qualified midwife.