Review of The Business of Being Born (2008) by Kelly C — 04 Jan 2011

"The Business of Being Born" is a well- made documentary about births in the United States. The documentary has a definite point of view that widwifery, and particularly home births, is the superior option for women. Although I would have preferred a more balanced documentary (is there a such thing as a balanced documentary anymore?) I have a strong affection for this film presenting birth as normal, natural, and something that women's bodies are capable of without a doctor "rescuing" us. Birth is seen as an adventure, which of course is painful, but is also a major event in a woman's life which should not be stolen from them by a doctor who "calls the shots" rather than listening to our judgment and out own body.

The film shows several births, most of which are at home water births. I must stress the significance of these images. Before seeing this I thought of birth as a frightening, traumatic experience which modern medicine made women lucky enough to be Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds during. But I found that I did not feel like flinching or turning away during these birth scenes. On the contrary, I found it enjoyable to watch these women face birth head on, and always come out of the endeavor elated that they, in fact, could do it.

I had a strong emotional reaction to this film. My mind has been forever changed, and I will likely never forget those images of women reaching down and pulling their own babies toward them. However, I understand that natural births are not for everyone, and that hospital births have certain advantages despite their many problems. It would have been nice to see this movie work as a tool for women out to make their own decision. Still, I strongly recommend this movie to women because of the wonderful images of women having positive birth experiences.