You Have a Choice (A Short Birth Documentary)

[hajeh]

lovely short film.. thank you

[stefanierose88]

I really wanted to give birth at home or at a brithing center but I cant because I am on subtex, an opiate medication. Because of this I have to be somewhere with a NICU so my baby can be monitered for withdrawal. I am very nervous about the hospital. I have had nothing but bad experiences in hospitals b/c I'm a medicaid patient with a past history of drug addiction. I do not want to be stressed out. I dont want IV's or meds. Can anyone advise me on making my hospital birth more enjoyable?

[skyerorymika]

@stefanierose88

Just realised you wrote this 8 months ago.

How did it go Stefanierose? :-)

[stefanierose88]

@skyerorymika my body did great :-) and my baby was healthy and shes growing very well and happy. I had a horrible experience with my OB, he basicly assaulted me during my labor (he broke my water without consent or informing me and tried to put an internal fetal monitor but I was kicking him and screaming for him to get off of me so he couldnt get it in her head). I hope I never have to give birth in a hospital again.

I also tried very hard to breastfeed but i failed :-( that was hard for me.

[AnniaMarie]

I am so fortunate to be able to have a home water birth w/ midwife. Baby will be here in a few wks and im so lucky to know what i know and not only know that the hospital is my only option. Its time women around the US woke up and wised up.

[psycholicious90]

Getting an epidural is way more painful than the actual contractions, c-sections and " drugs" should only be used in emergencies....

[MommaTBlair]

Very well done Mark. As for the young nurse in the video; I have never met a more committed young lady in all my life. She is so committed to what she does that she provides her services not only when she walks into the hospital to punch a clock, but also to a family that wants to have the intimacy of home birth. As for you LaborDeliveryRN... I think you may need a zanax, you are way too uptight! I think it's important that people know there are other methods out there other than a hospital.

[zenfire86]

I have read all of the comments to this board and

LaborDeliveryRN screams out that she has never worked in the inner city. Labor sounds like they have a nice cushie job at a well-off hospital. Were I live there is no one-on-one anything and people like Boontok are a blessing we don't get often. The two hpts in my area put u in a bed and hook you up to an IV, no other options. Once you're in labor thats it, you cant get up anymore till you give birth. Don't be so fast to judge what you dont know

[boontok]

Thank you for your viewpoint... very well said.

[McGowanGuitars]

One more thing...with your comments about the nurse in the video. She has delivered numerous births in hospitals as well as home births. I know this because she delivered my wife and I's last child in our home. Before you discount her experience make sure yours at least equals it.

[boontok]

Touché!

[McGowanGuitars]

LaborDeliveryRN...Make your own video about what you believe in. Maybe if you did that you could change my mind on how I view hospitals in regards in delivering babies. The hospital you work at may be wonderful, and if it is, it's an exception. My wife and I have experienced 3 home births with our own children. Have you ever experienced a home birth? If you havent, I can understand your defensive viewpoint. But I have, and a man with an experience is never at the mercy of a man with a theory.

[sharonabona]

Great video and message - too bad people have to find things to pick at when it's not entirely "their bag"....

[LaborDeliveryRN]

Did this "nurse" recently graduate nursing school? She appears to be wearing a student nurse uniform or a costume of some sort. I don't know of any labor and delivery unit where the nurses where WHITE scrubs with all the blood/etc that we see? Most hospitals I am familiar with have you change when you get to work and wear hospital laundered scrubs for the safety of the newborns and also allows you to change if your scrubs get soiled on the job.

[boontok]

She is wearing that uniform because all her real uniform has her hospital's logo on it, which I thought it wise not to have on the video.

What would it matter when she graduated? The fact is that she works in this environment full-time. She sees and experiences all the things she talks about. She didn't offer to she could share her daily L&D routine, I asked her to do that.

She clearly states: "a typical birth at the hospital I work at". I'm glad that the hospital you work at is different.

[LaborDeliveryRN]

I've had patients laboring on hands & knees on the bathroom floor, spending their entire labor in a hot shower (we have waterproof telemetry monitoring if needed). Pts use the birthing ball, they walk around, they labor in the complete dark/quiet... etc. Some have epidurals, some have c-secitons, some VBAC... WE give them a choice and support them, we don't force procedures upon them. We aim to have a safe, family-centered experience every time for every patient!

[LaborDeliveryRN]

We also have personal birthing consultant available 24/7 for pregnant pts to call or visit us, meet one-on-one with a consultant, take a tour, etc.. At that time, we encourage them to develop a birthplan at that time and we file it with the prenatal records so it is available to us when they are admitted and we already are prepared for their requests.

[LaborDeliveryRN]

I work at a hospital in Illinois where we are privileged to have a 1:1 nurse:patient ratio during labor/delivery. We are able to provide emotional, spiritual, and physical support to our patients and support THEIR choices regardless of OUR opinions. Many of our patients delivery naturally without any medications or intervention but are in the hospital in case an emergency would arise.

[magelynjay]

thanks for clearing everything up...and it IS great to have a choice for giving birth. But I stand beside my comment on this particular way not being for everyone, not everyone can experience a joyful birth by using minimal pain meds. And when you deliver your first 9lb baby after 36hrs of labor with minimal pain meds...I will want

to hear about your theory of believing "there is glory in pain"...brother...

[boontok]

I appreciate your response sister!

I would love for my friend Nicole to comment on this... let's see if she sees this.

[genamom]

Great job guys!

[magelynjay]

WoW..very informative, and touching, definitely not for everyone, but nice to have another option.Good Job Everyone..

[boontok]

What's not for everyone, a choice? Yeah, you're probably right, not every one needs to make a choice, especially if you like being a sheep.

[magelynjay]

Are you kidding me?..I like the video...what I don't like is giving my honest opinion and having someone compare me to a sheep!..its my opinion that not all women will want to endure a natural childbirth period! and it doesn't make them bad mothers or bad people! Remember there is NO glory in pain. I defend the right to HAVE a choice. I had both of my children the old fashioned way, no pain meds, no warm bath, no soft music. Get off your high horse sister, your hurting your own cause...

[genamom]

Wow...sounds like birth baggage. I feel your pain sister...it sounds like you have a lot to work through...your ignorance about natural childbirth has obviously transformed you into this person..

[magelynjay]

Oh my......I have no ignorance about natural childbirth, did it twice as a matter of fact, and loved every minute of it. Go back and read my first statement, informative, touching, definitely not for everyone...but nice to have another option...Good job everyone!...birth baggage...come on now...everyone has a right to their own opinion...and by the way...my niece and her family look beautiful in the video...geeze...love you Booner!

[boontok]

Thanks for liking the video. We have some miscommunication though:

1) The video wasn't about natural birth, but about choice in your birth. You said it's "definitely not for everyone" to which I thought you were talking about that choice.

2) I didn't compare you to sheep. I was making the statement that you (i.e. anyone) who doesn't make a choice is a sheep.

3) You're right, they're not bad, but I believe that there is glory in pain.

4) "brother" would be the appropriate term to use here.

[LaborDeliveryRN]

magelynjay, I applaud you for trying to give your kudos on this video, I am sorry that these people are so one-sided that they cannot even see the compliment you gave them! You are right on, people deserve choices! They ARE definitely hurting their own cause here.

[boontok]

LaborDeliveryRN: I not only thanked her for her compliment, but I tried to clear up any miscommunication. Please read the full context before making accusations. I'm glad to see that the "cause" is not being hurt, like you said. I have we have had lots of good response from the video, except from you.

What's funny is that you didn't even respond to the compliment I gave you.

I guess I can't please everyone.

[skaphanatic]

Great video Mark. Although after watching it I really miss all of "my" kids. Especially with the clip of them playing in the backyard. Give everyone a huge hug for me when you see them next.

[LaborDeliveryRN]

I am not sure what hospital you work at but this is NOT a typical hospital birth experience!!!! This is absolutely absurd that you would portray birth in this way! Are you a real nurse or just playing one on TV for the sake of scaring people?

[riemck]

it certainly is accurate based on my first experience. if a woman doesn't know she has choices & she trusts her doctor & the hospital staff, then it does turn out very much like this "nurse" describes. whether or not she's a nurse, she paints a very accurate picture.

[boontok]

Yes, she is a real nurse, and yes, this IS a typical birth where she works. For time sake I had to cut out some of the more gruesome details that seemed too absurd to be true.

[LaborDeliveryRN]

I have a very difficult time believing this. If she is so passionate about birth as MJoyDrew states, then why is she still working at a place that is so horrible, so evil, and so against everything she feels is correct? If I was in a work environment where I was forced to follow orders I didn't agree with, I would not be able to continue working there.

[boontok]

Some people feel that they can make a bit of difference in dark places... to bring comfort and peace to those who have unknowingly fallen into this system.

[LaborDeliveryRN]

Gruesome details? C'mon?? This is not Hollywood.

[MjoyDrew]

I personally and very closely know this nurse, (Who by the way graduated valedictorian of her nursing school), and she by no means is biased or giving information based on an attempt solely to win some contest. She is very passionate about birth and has over time as she has seen births happen in the hospital become frustrated with the method. Do not take this as a personal threat mam, and realize that everyone may have different passions.

[genamom]

Hi labordelivery RN, I am a Doula and have worked in ALL the Hospitals in Fresno County and this is pretty right on...I wanna know where you work. :)

[lifefullj1]

Good video to let people know what the now common hospital childbirth is generally like and to encourage people to research the other options available.

[Wingedlass]

this video makes me want to have a baby....where god is my future husband??

[jslmvk]

Very well done!

[stevehurl88]

Great video.

[purplesux]

An interesting look at Child Birth and the options available. We are looking into other options for our next child.

[mikemorenz]

Love it man! It flowed together very well.

[life0devoted]

Great job Mark!!

[boontok]

I love you.

[minpie3]

As a former home-birth mother (of 3) who believes in this passionately, GREAT JOB in presenting the better option! As a TV producer, great job on the filming, scripting and editing of this project. You did a terrific job all the way around! The video is definitely worthy of an award in my opinion!! :-D

[boontok]

Wow, much appreciated. That says a lot.

[newmathclub]

Yeah! Great work sucka!!

[nancymauldin]

wow Mark! This video is professionally done. I hope you win the contest!

[ArtisticEyePhoto]

Nice job hun! I love all the interviews, good luck in the contest!

[dpcaggiano]

Great job Mark!!!! We're going to use this and any other ones you make to educate the community on evidence-based birth!

[boontok]

Educated they shall be.

[sayveedotcom]

nice work hombre. Final cut?

[boontok]

But of course!

[mrsdanarobbins]

Mark, you ROCK!!! You did such an awesome job in such a very SHORT amount of time! I've already had 3 pregnant friends email me and ask for more info!!! So, this video has already accomplished much more than winning a contest!

[boontok]

How great it is!

[McGowanGuitars]

excellent!!! i'm SO impressed! amazing job mark...you're a genius.

[boontok]

I had good subjects. Thanks!

[karpadiem]

Good job mark!

[ktpre]

Well done!

[djkettle1974]

fantastic! very thoughtful and moving. thank you!

[boontok]

You're welcome!

[ecal2003]

BEAUTIFUL!! This a professionally done video that makes the message very clear. You have a choice when it comes to giving birth -- make the right one!

[boontok]

Thanks.  Yes, we have a choice!

[mt2414yt]

the newest Spielberg on the block meets the up and coming Florence Nightingale of pediatrics in the midst of the hollywoods most famous home birther's

[boontok]

This could only be Steve. Am I right?

[Miraclemunkee]

wow, this is nice!

[hartnell114]

Ok wow,well im stopping at cervix... haha

hope ya win! ... what do you win? a baby! hope ya win a baby :)

[ledred77]

WoW. Very informative. Amazing job Mark.

[Usticks555]

stands up and claps....i never want to know about this stuff again...but thank i love you mark and miss you

[pocat6]

Thats a hot Nurse!

[boontok]

I know, I tell her that all the time!

[llanabarron]

Bravo, Director Mroz. Very very well done, highly informative, and professional. *applause*

[boontok]

Thank you Llana!