So a year ago, if someone had told me they were using a midwife instead of a OB/GYN I would have thought they were some sort of strange, crunchy hippy person. After watching the “Business of Being Born” with Ricki Lake, my perception of midwives and doulas changed. The documentary talks about the way birthing in the US is becomingly increasingly driven by profit instead of what the best option is for momma and baby. The idea of natural birth is becoming a new/unique idea versus being the first option for most women.
Key in every birth is a commitment to doing what’s best for mother and baby, regardless of pre-planned agendas. The filmmaker’s lament is that hospitals and doctors often too quickly advocate medical intervention in the interest of saving time and avoiding potential litigation. While unquestionably advocating midwifery over hospital birthing, this documentary presents solid expert opinions, concrete facts and statistics, and anecdotal experiences of both mothers and midwives that are crucial in making an informed decision about the use of midwifery in birthing as well as enlightening as to the current state of birthing in the United States.