Suggested Birth Movies

Suggested Birth Movies

1) The Business of Being Born
Inspired by their own unique birth experiences, producer Ricki Lake and directorAbby Epstein team up to provide a nation of mothers-to-be with insight into the processof childbirth and the various options available when preparing for life’s most specialevent. From pregnancy to the miraculous moment of birth, “The business of Being Bornis an entertaining and informative celebration of the road to motherhood that “should beseen by every pregnant women in America” (Jack Mathews, New York Daily News)DVD 84 min

2) Born in Water: A Sacred Journey
A beautiful collection of seven waterbirths at home and at Andaluz Waterbirth Center.From a first time mother with midwife helping to a fourth baby with siblings present atthe birth and mom catching her baby on her own, watch birth women give birth withgentleness, awareness, and wisdom. Suzanne Arms says about Born in Water, “Thisexquisitely filmed video should dispel any of the fears and misconceptions that stillsurround water birth. The film shows seven water births, each featuring womensurrendering to the power of her labor, birth partners actively supporting women, andmidwives at their unobtrusive best. Both English and Spanish-speaking families arepresented, making this an excellent film for bilingual audiences. Appropriate for youngchildren, teens and adults, and particularly valuable for those with preconceived notionsof water birth as risky - including physicians and nurses hesitant about water birth, whowill find this video most educational.”DVD 33 min

3) Psalm and Zoya
This educational tool will move, inspire, and transform you as you gain an intimateglimpse into the Goorchenko household where, after a two-and-a-half hour labor, twinsPsalm and Zoya are born into their mothers arms. Highlights include: A vertex birth, afootling breech birth, mother performing her own vaginal exams, mother catching herown babies, a child present at birth, a calm birth environment, breastfeeding of twins.DVD 20 minutes

4) Birth Into Being: The Russian Waterbirth Experience.
Russian Spiritual Midwife, Tatyana Sargunas and her filmmaker husband, Alexi,recorded five totally natural, incredible waterbirths. Their original footage takes you on abreathtaking expedition to witness two families birthing in the Black Sea, and into theirhome to see two of their daughters being born in a handmade clear birthing pool. Scenesof children and babies swimming with dolphins will delight and amaze audiences of allages.DVD 28 minutes

5) The Birth of Sabine
Sabine’s video shows us the excitement and anticipation of a mom’s first pregnancy. Thestory follows Stephanie and James from the positive pregnancy test, prenatal visits withtheir midwife, a belly cast, to the unexpected surprise of her water breaking days beforelabor begins. They are shown making decisions and using natural methods of inductionup until the day they are (gratefully!) in labor. Daddy helps catch baby as she is born intothe water and placed immediately on momma’s chest. With lovely music throughout, thisvideo is perfect for parents-to-be learning about the surprises, decision making, and joythat pregnancy and birth can bring. You will walk away touched by the birth of thisprecious baby, Sabine.DVD 10 minutes.

6) Giving Birth
This movie was designed to inspire and educate. It shows the model for normal birth andwhy it is important for mothers and babies. It contrasts the two different models for birth~ the medical model vs. the midwifery model and explains the risks of routine obstetricpractices. You will learn what scientific evidence has discovered about birth and hear itfrom three obstetricians (including best selling author and PBS television host Dr.Christiane Northrup), a labor and delivery nurse, and a doula. You will learn why doulasare important if you birth in a hospital. You will also hear from a cesarean mother andyou will see two births. You will experience a woman giving birth in her own home,attended by a midwife, and see images of a water birth. This video explores commonmisconceptions about pain in labor, epidural anesthesia, cesarean, and many routinehospital procedures. Giving Birth presents what midwifery care is all about.DVD 35 minutes