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Choices in Childbirth
One night I was bored so I got up and grabbed my laptop.
Don’t ask me how, but I came across this documentary called The Business of Being Born and it really piqued my interest.
I didn’t know anything about labor or childbirth other than I never wanted to experience it…unless I was so medicated that I wouldn’t remember anything.
I am a really squeamish person with a strong inclination towards modesty so , laying on a bed with my legs wide open, being poked and prodded, and being stared at while all these things happen just sounded like a nightmare to me. Plus all these shows like A Baby Story that show women screaming their heads off can be quite terrifying. But I was possibly willing to do it- if I could be heavily sedated.
So back to this movie. Ricki Lake created a documentary that really fuels the debate between homebirths and hospital births. At the time I didn’t have an opinion either way but this movie really opened my eyes and it lead to me to do additional research about things I never imagined I’d be interested in.
Best of all, by watching this documentary and then doing subsequent research I no longer fear childbirth. My outlook is completely different and I feel so happy to have this information that most women don’t have. It’s empowering! We just go along with what our doctors say without thinking twice. We watch these birth horror shows on TV and think that is what is normal.
I’m still in my studies and I plan to take my studies much further but for now I want to share some resources to help educate women on their choices in childbirth.
Web
6 Myths About Childbirth (article)
Citizens For Midwifery (organization)
Technology in Birth (Midwifery Today)
Books
The Official Lamaze Guide: Giving Birth with Confidence **Excellent starting point. This book is not about breathing techniques.
The Thinking Woman’s Guide to a Better Birth
Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth ** I like this book but I wouldn’t start with it. This is the kind of book you read after you’ve done some research about choices in childbirth.
Obstetric Myths Versus Research Realities: A Guide to the Medical Literature - ** This is very scholarly so if you want a light read you may want to start with something else.
Videos
The Business of Being Born
** This is an excellent starting point and I can’t recommend it enough. I’d actually recommend that women who seek birth empowerment start with this video. It’s on Netflix if you have a subscription.
In one of those movies it mentions that women are scared because they watch these TV shows that portray it as a horrible thing.