Ricki Lake Birth Documentary - The Business of Being Born

[theonlytone]

Out*

[theonlytone]

When I delivered my second child the nurse who was helping me before I actually started pushing kept trying to force me to have an epidural which I had stated previously that I did not need, it got to the point when I actually yelled at her that this is my second child I know what I'm doing lol and then my water broke and he came our with in minutes! You just have to do your research and make sure you know what you want because if you don't then you will be easily persuaded into taking pain meds

[hunterjumper17]

I would imagine a mother having lots of complications as some of you nurses have commented after the fact she had been drugged and induced interrupting her natural rhythm. In a hospital, time is money. they will convince any women to do what they say if its going to convenience them. Its a great documentary i recommend it to every women who's thinking of having a child. There's a lot of history and facts on the drugs they use in hospitals on pregnant women and what it does to you. GO SEE IT!

[MermaidSteve]

Billion dollar business? Depends what country! I didn't pay for my birth. The government bulk bills if you can't afford private health insurance :)

[dxarmy94]

The hospital's there to help the birth process not to destroy it!!!

[creamsodaistasty]

@dxarmy94 nope.

[dxarmy94]

@creamsodaistasty Ok. So giving birth at home is safer than using a specialized room just for it with a professional trained to deliver the baby?? No.

[creamsodaistasty]

@dxarmy94 When one has a low risk pregnancy, YES.

[skyseeing]

@dxarmy94 Hospitals have more bacteria and viruses than you can find anywhere else, they are spreading infections. Baby is immune to bacteria at home, not at the hospital.

[gardensheriff]

@dxarmy94

great question, except if you watched the whole documentary you would have a clue or two

of what is actually taking place in this 'home of the free, brave and all that jazz'

[gardensheriff]

why dont you go and watch what actyally takes place during a hospital delivery, and then compare it to how the female body was built by god do bring children into this realm.. no need to reinvent the wheel, we were born without hospitals for millenia

if childbirth was required to be a surgery then why not call pregnancy a sickness?

why not ask your mother, or better yet, get pregnant and find out for yourself or hold your comments until you actually comprehend and relate to what you are saying

[dxarmy94]

@gardensheriff Do you know what happened before hospital births? Alot more deaths, not only to the mother but the child too! God gave man hospitals for this and many other reasons!!!

[buddhaforkath]

@dxarmy94 So before that he killed women while they were giving birth? Nice logic that God of yours has ;)

[akrzywonos]

Research birthing before you do it! arm yourself with knowledge! I labored for 29 hours after my water broke it was hard but awesome! the hospital was pushy but I pushed back and had the delivery I wanted... not everyone can have it there way though especially if there is a complication.. but it's so worth it if you can do it:)

[ransom4many09]

I had a c-section with the 1st, a vbac at a military hospital with my 2nd, and a homebirth the 3rd time- homebirth was by far the best experience-

[Gingagirl]

I'm Swedish btw

[Gingagirl]

I had a baby 5 months ago, I haved an epidural, and (Don't know what you call it) gas. He got out at 5 hours. It hurted like hell though the pain reliefers. I got my baby right on my chest, but he was soon taken because he was 1 month premature and small for his age. Wish I deliver the next one without epidural. I have a 'pressure' on my pack since giving birth. Probly of the epidural.. Not good.

[crazyrainbowlover]

I wnat children so much though pregnancy and labour are big turn off's

[yesyoucanquilt]

@crazyrainbowlover; it passes very quickly and is one of the most beautiful experiences you will ever have the pleasure of having.

[Cinderaly001]

I am a Girl and After Watching that Documentary I am making DAMN sure I am NEVER having Kids...HOLY CRAP!!

[luxmaz81]

i believe 'interventions' during labour should be done only when 'necessary' NOT because of hospital routine or to avert risk. midwife lead obstetric care has been proven to be CHEAPER AND provide BETTER health outcomes for babies and moms. All medical interventions have risks associated with them. they are NOT natural. so why start with a medical model for pregnancy and birth which are NOT sickness but actually a state of well being?

[crazyrainbowlover]

I totally agree with you

[DrSandmann]

@luxmaz81

When you go to the hospital to deliver, they don't put you on pitocin unless it's indicated. The ONLY thing they do, routinely, is place monitors and start an IV, where they give you fluids. Beyond that, delivery is a completely natural process.

What you are forgetting is that childbirth used to be a major cause of death in women before modern medicine. You're simply assuming that mother nature never gets it wrong, and you are mistaken.

[rockindancer86]

@DrSandmann

Actually, a lot of hospitals use pitocin as routine procedure now, or they convince women it's necessary when it's not.

And while childbirth may have used to be a major cause of death, that's not considering the fact that many women were in poor health due to malnutrition or poor sanitation. That can cause complications that wouldn't have existed otherwise.

[creamsodaistasty]

@DrSandmann Really? that's why the doctors pull at the newborns while coming out? that's why they push and pull to deliver the placenta? that's why they cut the umbilical cord until it stops pulsating, taking away blood that the baby needs? there's nothing natural about hospital births.

[manco82]

@creamsodaistasty You sound like doctors are killing the babies.

[creamsodaistasty]

@manco82 I sound like doctors only care about their paychecks.

[carrie84uk]

@luxmaz81 I couldnt agree any more :)

[mattimber]

I not only support a public insurance option for U.S. health care, I demand it! NO COMPROMISES!!

It should be mandatory for all congress & senate members to watch 2 movies during the August recess: Michael Moore's Sicko & Ricki Lakes "The Business of Being Born."

Just like the real issue of manmade global warming, the issue of heath care reform is being attacked with lies from fascist corporate shills, & repeated by the brainwashed masses who hear the BS aired on Fox News.

[alyahenai]

medical school....I guess they and their babies all died....I'm not completely against medical care, but find it weird how we had a natural design that we are constantly being told that it's not "good" enough...matter of fact, we are being told that we cannot function AT ALL....there is something wrong with that

[DrSandmann]

@alyahenai

Hey dumb-shit....people get cancer....."naturally".

People are born with lethal heart defects.....naturally.

People are develop aneurysms that rupture and kill them.....naturally.

Likewise, women can die from childbirth.....naturally.

Modern medicine doesn't exist to change life. It exists to keep motherfuckers alive who'd otherwise have naturally died. Get it?

[TellsHowItIs]

@DrSandmann I do :)

[alyahenai]

So...what you are saying basically that as women, who were CREATED to give birth WITHOUT medical intervention (yes because doctors believe it or not are not the creators of our bodies, they did not come up with this wonderful machine we have), we don't know how to do what was naturally given to us to do??? What occurred to the women of old and ancient times who never had a doctor or a nurse or a blah blah blah and only had access to midwives who by the way didn't go through several years of

[mommymaryRN]

Our death rate is the 2nd highest because of fertility treatments and the increase of premature deliveries (I work as a NICU/OB nurse, i should know). Just because a few people luckily escaped the bad things that can happen, doesn't mean that it can't happen to the next person who unsuccessfully attempts a homebirth. It's extremely unsafe for mother & baby, and is extremely selfish choice of the mother. The moment you get pregnant it stops being about YOU!

[hppysra]

Actually it's all about the mother. If both mother and baby are in danger, it's the mother you should try to save first. The mother's well being always comes before the unborn child's. After the baby is born then that's a different story.

[piscesariescusp121]

im scared to death of the pain. omg, i dont want to imagine myself going through that, but i know oneday i will.

[yiyalaportecheer12]

Same here!

[SchoolinYou]

Sort of a horrid yet wonderful thing, huh?

[melissabradarvo]

i had 2 ceasars.. never looked back!! breast fed both my children for well over a year!! still feeding my son who is now 16 months old.. not for much longer though!! a friend of mine tore so terribly that she had to have 30 stitches!! im glad my children are healthy and happy but i am also absolutely happy that my down stairs bits are all still intact!!

[scolac]

great documentary...hospital births in the US affect men too, as some doctors try to convince women that their babies should or need to be circumcised, which of course is false and is not a problem in other developed countries...in home births, women are more likely to appreciate their children and respect their little bodies

[silkcat51]

I had 5 natural homebirths 27-37 yrs. ago with 100% success. I've never had one ounce of regret. That movement was thoroughly suppressed by the money-making medical system. How low do we have to go? Do we have to hit rock bottom on the charts before women take back their rights to safe, healthy, happy birthing?

[naacarricoman]

I also had 5 successful homebirths just 13 years ago (1995 through2003) I have 5 of the healthiest most beautiful girls you will ever see.....and....not a single one of them have ever been to a medical doctor for so much as a vaccination or a medical check up. There is a lot the medical doctors are screwing around with and it is not just a woman's right to give birth, but a mother's right to nurse her own children. I personally have not seen a medical doctor in over 20 years.

[Naughtygoodgurl5000]

5 girls? Wow! Do you ever get in the bathroom? LOL!

[nihongasukidesu]

I think in the UK its different as in the vid it shows that we use midwives and medical care is free. But i want a home birth. I probably for my 1st will go to hospital as i will be more scared and i wont know what to expect. But after that all my children will born by water birth at home (ASSISTED BY A MIDWIFE). But the hospital gives you loads of free stuff lol

[hunterdietrich]

Do some research. Your chances are better at home! I think the brave ones are the ones who are willing to brave the hospital! lol Also, free stuff is only free because it benefits someone...think about it. What does a baby need? To be snuggled up with mom in bed. That's it. No bottles, no mobiles, no formula, heck- you don't even NEED diapers. Free stuff is not a reason to risk a hospital birth.

[mynameisorde]

AGREED! What's more important? "Free stuff" or a healthy baby?

[kirstendulmage]

Loved it!! I have chosen to use a midwife and a natural birth!

thankyou.

[hotboi28]

Thank You...Ray "J"

[StarbucksCoffeeFreak]

Great movie! I have had four out of my five at home; the youngest three weeks ago. I actually have a tendency towards precipitous births (three of my five children were born in under two hours) so choosing homebirth was probably actually safer in my case. A lot safer than having a baby in my filthy van in rush hour traffic, that's for sure :) Thanks Ricki, for making this film.

[grlheart]

wow this is kinda shockin 2 me

[quelinda456]

I saw this movie and thought it was great! It was educational. I have no children but may want to in the future. I loved the idea of the birthing center. It was a natural birth in a "home like" enviornment but still in a hospital setting.

[theonlythai]

That is a fantastic option. You have a 'family centered feel' where medical intervention is there ONLY if you need it.

[frenchmansgirl]

5elements...what i am saying is that i do now realize that my baby could have died. look. i posted 5 months ago and was very anti hospital birth. after a scary homebirth i realize hospitals, at least here in france are not as bad as i thought.so yes, it seems horrific and i am AGREEING with you..if a woman goes unassisted she has to be okay with the chance of losing her baby or else dont do it cause it is possible for something to go wrong. i was not okay with the losing my baby.

[frenchmansgirl]

so even though we had him here, we ended up in the hospital for 5 days. but, yes, there could have been complications at the hospital as well. 2 of my best riends had home births in the states w/ midwives and had no trouble. you just need a good back up plan or be okay with the possibility that your baby could die and thats the reality. theres a book called

'the baby catcher" by peggy vincent. she was a midwife in CA and shares her stories. its a great read..

[5ElementsFist]

"..a good back up plan or be ok with the possibility that your baby could die" wow!! who is ok with that??? Especially when all your baby might of needed was suctioning oxygen or bagged. Are you kidding me! Many babies require these interventions when they are born (relatively minor and you may not have even realized) but they are life saving and are not available at home. It's all unpredictable and an ambulance ride to the hospital may be too long to wait. OMG! Why gamble!

[dradzinski]

It's comments like these that spread misinformation. "suctioning oxygen or bagged...life saving and are not available at home" How sad. To set the record straight. Certified Midwives that attend homebirths are trained to handle emergencies. They bring with them everything they need to resuscitate babies, stop a hemorraging mother, or in the case of a needed c-section they call ahead to the hospital so they can prepare for that event. Do your homework or you continue to spread fear.

[frenchmansgirl]

i wouldl ike to say that my mother in law who lives next door to us here in france gave birth 6 times unassisted ath ome and had no trouble. we had hospital follow up during pregnancy and doc said all was looking great so we decided to try for a home birth..knowing we could call for help if we needed it. i knew something was wring and we called for assistance. here in france a doc and midwife will come in an emergency. the cord was 5 xs around the neck. he did need to be suctioned.

[5ElementsFist]

In addition, I'm sure there are a lot of countries where the maternal and fetal deaths are less than that of the USA but how do we link this directly to place of birth? How about the fact that we are probably the 'unhealthiest' people of the nation. As parents, we have the most prexisting conditions complicating pregnancy and fetal compromise. Of course that is going to lower our stats. Just another thought....

[aiesha80]

True, we are the unhealthiest people. BUT the REASON we are so unhealthy is due to the health "care" industry in the first place! Haven't you heard the saying: there's no money in the cure, there's money in the disease. That's not paranoia, it's common sense for a money-hungry society (and I sadly made a living advertising for the pharma industry so I KNOW.) Hospitals have their place, of course, but they're not needed NEARLY as often as we have been brainwashed into believing so.

[5ElementsFist]

Meconium aspiration, repiratory distress, prolonged transition and undiagnosed fetal conditions are perfect examples of why mothers need to be better educated about births outside of hospitals. These conditions are unpredictable and require immediate interventions for the baby that you cannot provide at home. All mothers have the right to their natural birth while making an informed decision.I am a NICU nurse and have seen tragic consequences from the delay in appropriate care.

[kzantey]

... on the other hand, many things happen in hospital that wouldn't happen at home. The stats tell us so, and as per the movie, the Netherlands have 1/3 of their births at home and they have far less maternal and fetal deaths than the USA. Something is going wrong and it makes sense to give up one way causing so many complications and deaths, to a route that causes LESS. Those things you mention mustn't be a common occurance or major concern over there if they are doing so well outcome wise.

[5ElementsFist]

Bad things can happen ANYWHERE. In combination, these conditions can occur in roughly 35% of all births even the Netherlands. They're not uncommon or NICU's wouldn't exist. They're very serious sometimes requiring mechanical ventilation & much more. As a nurse and a mother, I am saying that a mom should have the birth she desires with appropriate help within reach. NOBODY knows that "all will go well" so why not have resources. Maternity centers adjacent to hospitals are a fantastic option.

[DrSandmann]

@kzantey

In the Netherlands, they have fewer maternal and fetal deaths because 1. the population there has better access to routine care, including proper prenatal care, than people here in America do, and 2. because Americans are not a particularly healthy people. We have an obesity epidemic, for one.

If you had half a brain, you'd know that these things have very direct and significant effects on pregnancy outcomes.

[RachelSoma]

@kzantey Actually the Netherlands has the HIGHEST perinatal death rate in most of Europe. Perinatal mortality is death from 28 weeks of pregnancy to 28 days of life. Therefore it includes late stillbirths and deaths during labor.

[dradzinski]

Since you are a NICU nurse, I really encourage you to learn more about homebirth midwives and what their training entails. People listen to you because of your profession. It is your responsibility to them to make sure you are speaking facts. Many of these problems that you mention are treatable at home by a trained midwife or at the very least caught in advance because she is constantly and solely monitoring the mother throughout her labor.

[BrendanIsCool]

@5ElementsFist madame, these glorified housewives are retreating away from what science and progress has graced us with. Soon we'll be back to trepanning to relieve headaches and trying to pray away cancers. I appreciate the great work you do.

BrendanIsCool MD

[gardensheriff]

@BrendanIsCool

ratiation and chemotherapy actually slays more patients and at much quicker rates than their cancers do.

facts, not theories!!

when canadian doctors testified in congress that they found cure for cancer, which was cannabis, the big pharma had them arrested and jailed

american cancer institute commented that they arent interested in herbal research for curing cancer, why you ask? what would your paycheck look like if we could all cure our own cancers? i question your ambitions

[gardensheriff]

and before you slander prayer why not tell us what drove you to pursue medicine in the first place, im quite sure it isnt your piety, modesty or care to help your victims you might refer to as patients.

[BrendanIsCool]

@gardensheriff I went into medicine because I realized I had a capable brain, a deep interest in the scientific method and resulting benefits and a hope that my abilities could alleviate pain and suffering. I've accomplished this many times over, it's very satisfying.

[gardensheriff]

I URGE ALL PEOPLE, NOT JUST PARENTS OR YOUNG EXPECTING COUPLES, BUT PEOPLE OF ALL AGES THAT RESIDE IN UNITED STATES TO WATCH THIS DOCUMENTARY.

IN THIS COUNTRY TRUTH IS VERY UNPOPULAR, IT IS OUR HOLY DUTY TO SPREAD IT AND EDUCATE THE MASSES.

BIRTH IS SOMETHING ALL OF US GO THRU, LEARN THE TRUTH AND DECIDE FOR YOUR SELF WHAT THE RIGHT THING TO DO IS.

DEDICATED TO OUR SISTERS, MOTHERS AND WIVES - IN HOPES THAT THE FUTURE BRINGS TRUE FREEDOM TO OUR WOMEN !!

GOD BLESS RICKY LAKE FOR THIS DOCUMENTARY

[gardensheriff]

@5ElementsFist

Why not watch the whole documentary before commenting on this segment miss nurse? Im sure you would be quite surprised at the factual truth you will learn. would love to see your comments afterwards

[frenchmansgirl]

and i want to add that when i said i hate hospitals its just because i had bad experiences as a child not that hospitals are bad necessarily and after going through what i did i can really respect what they have to offer.up to this point though i really didnt believe i could have a say if i was in one esp. being american living in france and not speaking the language. a lot of the drugs are unnecessary but i think womens birth choices should be respected even if they opt for the drugs.

[frenchmansgirl]

errr..yes, i know hospitals are necessary in some cases and are good to have...i just gave birth at home and had to transfer to get baby checked cause cord was 5 times around the neck. he was fine but im definitely humbles..amazing what you learn through the process of birth, biggest lesson being that of humility. i think home births, hospital births are both good as long as mom can have a say in treatment, delivery, etc and for me i now know this is possible

[loretta007t]

I have seen this movie. It is fantastic, a must see for everyone. Well done Ricki.

[nohollaback]

I'm 23...we'd like to have our first by the time we're 30. I'd love to see this movie. I've only heard terrible things about inductions and my half-sister had a C-section with twins and it was awful. Celebrities chosing to have C-sections only make the case worse. They should be used as a last-resort - if the mother and/or baby are in real danger. Hope to see this come to DVD soon!

[SailorBabe]

I wish I could find this movie. I want to add, the fight for a woman to choose where, and with who they give birth has been going on for a LONG time. My fisrt was born in a hospital, awful experiance. My next 3 babies were born outside the walls of the hospital, with my last and only daughter, born at home, in my bed, with a lay midwife. My babies ages? 30, 28, 27, and 23. At that time the BMQA said homebirth was "child abuse"! So, I guess I am an abuser of children?

[daj4444]

BMQA?

[AlbertaRose94]

@SailorBabe There is also a book titled "Your Best Birth" by Ricki Lake. I signed it out of the library. Twenty-four hours later I was dumping it in the return chute while a bookstore bag was looped around my wrist. Yes, it was THAT good I had to fork out the money to buy it.

[ddfrisbie]

Everyone can get check out this video on NETFLIX on February 26th!!!!! :) The most important film of the year. Watch it!

[Sexyfeet16]

I want to see this so bad, but the closest place it is showing to me right now is oregon :( I already know i don't want to give birth in a hospital and some people think i'm crazy for it! Well, this is why! I want to do it naturally, how i was meant to give birth. I won't be able to do that in a hospital.

My sister had a natural birth at a birthing center and she LOVED it. It was amazing for her. That is what i want.

Everone should see this!! Have you guys seen Birth as we know it?

[beardude14]

I am so happy about this documentary, every woman should know this stuff. I wanted to have a natural birth, I thought I could have one in the hospital. BIRTH HOSPITALS ARE THE BIGGEST DRUG PUSHERS IN THE WORLD! I didnt want drugs but I was pushed, every 1/2 hour they offered me a little of this and a little of that, I was in a vulnerable state so I gave in, I think it is criminal what they can do.. and it's all legal when you are a doctor.

[yaspeedyrn1975]

B14 I am a maternity nurse and it is JHACHO mandated that we ask a laboring mom(or any patient)if they want pain management frequently ,it is not criminal. If you do not ask,you get complaint letters stating"The nurse or MD did not give me the pain meds that I wanted,or the nurse did not care that I was in pain and did not give me pain medicine when I needed it".When I make my rounds I always ask"Do you want something for pain?"It is out of concern, not because we want to be "drug pushers" .

[glorimo]

This movie is playing on 2/1 and 2/2 at 7p at the Tower Theatre in Miami, FL (1508 SW 8th Street). EVERY WOMAN OF CHILDBEARING AGE MUST SEE THIS MOVIE!!!

[Kylie42006]

I agree, this is a needed documentary. I had my first in the hospital and "thought" I would be safe from a medcal birth because I had a midwife. Not true! This should be seen on TV, in ALL theaters and sent to every OB & Midwife out there!

[Inkypinkyponkie]

This documentary should be on mainstream TV!! ALL women should watch this, not so you can necessarily have a c-section but so YOU CAN MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE FOR YOUR BABY!! Thank you for sharing this

[mzee1972owen]

GO RICKI!!!! I fully, fully support the message she is trying to convey with this important and informative film. Hats off.

[uni000ver000sal]

Well ladies, you asked for it?

Giving birth is the most natural thing a women can experience, you just screwed it up with your antics!

How do the rest of the world do it?

[frenchmansgirl]

this is a much needed documentary. i hate hospitals. most births are medicalized and women are injured and babies are drugged...i can't wait to see this!!!

[yaspeedyrn1975]

Sorry FG but I have to disagree with you. I am a maternity nurse at a hospital , and COUNTLESS numbers of mothers and babies lives have been saved by doctors , nurses , neonatologists in emergency situations ( ex placenta previa , HELP syndrome , premature births). I totally support a womans decision to use a midwife , give birth at home ( I use a midwife myself as my GYN ), but it is unfair to demonize healthcare professionals, the majority who are very concerned with the mom's wishes.