mommymedia : Ina May Gaskin

The Business of Being Born- DVD

Satya — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 16:03:00 GMT

The Business of Being Born turns society’s expectation of birth on its head by refuting the common belief that birth must be done in a hospital with an OB-GYN. Any industry knows that gaining new customers is the key to flourishing and the medical industry is no exception. The c-section epidemic in this country has become the poster child for a more fundamental issue in the birthing industry.

The DVD features talk show host Rikki Lake and renowned midwife Ina May Gaskin who shine a spotlight on the unfortunate state of childbirth in the United States today. The US has the second highest infant mortality rate in the world and the most medicalized birth process. As the film reveals, more interventions during birth bring more risks. The film uses facts and figures to back up their opinion that women are treated like a commodity in a hospital; to be serviced in the quickest manner and then sent on her way.

While the producers do the viewer a disservice by making such blanket statements that herald homebirths and demonize OB-GYNs as such a wide-range of experiences is possible, even in the hospital, the real message of the movie is one that all women in America should hear: play an active role in your child’s birth. According to the film, childbirth is an experience, not a medical emergency. After watching the videos of homebirths included in the film, you will surely see how powerful an experience it can be (and might even find yourself in tears). The film is truly convincing and well made, but one wonders if it is overly dramatized and exaggerated for shock value or really accurate. Either way, it is one strong view that many women hold and the general message is a good one. Overall, it is a strong case for women to empower themselves and take control of the most life-changing event of their life: the day they give birth. Pick up a copy here.

Spiritual Midwifery

Satya — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:37:00 GMT

If you’ve ever wondered how birth occurs when conducted with a hands-off approach, this book is for you. Ina May Gaskin describes many exhilarating birth stories, most of them at home and with little medical intervention. Gaskin, a renowned midwife in the birthing community, has a resilient belief in a woman’s natural ability to give birth and has spent her life devoted to helping women have safer, more enjoyable birthing experiences.

Though it is written as a guide for midwives, the information is valuable to any expecting parent. After getting a firm view of how a natural birth can occur in a variety of circumstances you’ll be left feeling empowered to deliver without fear. The book also covers common pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia, breech birth, multiple births, stillborns, genetic deformities, stalled labor, cord prolapse and much more.

The book is a gem of birth stories that evoke the whole spectrum of emotions. You’ll read birth stories that have heavy partner involvement and are filled with love and a sense of the divine, even when things take a turn for the worse.

Surely though, there are some parts that will leave the reader with raised eyebrows, like the woman who was told to drink alcohol to prevent early labor. Some may have heard of this author and may feel it’s too “earthy, crunchy” for them or simply unbelievable, but to so easily dismiss this book would be a mistake. This book is refreshing for its heart-open approach of letting nature take its course and contains basic lessons about birth that every pregnant woman should know but is rarely ever told. Pick up a copy here.

Homebirth in the Hospital

Satya — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 17:22:00 GMT

Integrating Natural Childbirth with Modern Medicine

Homebirth in the Hospital is an engaging journey through birth stories of all types with only one similarity: the doctor in charge. The author of the book and primary caregiver in each birth story is Stacey Marie Kerr. Dr. Kerr has an incredible background for a medical doctor. Not only did she spend time on The Farm, a spiritual community founded by renowned midwife Ina May Gaskin – she actually lived there. During that time, Dr. Kerr learned the power of letting Mother Nature take its course in the birthing process. Her humble approach towards childbirth makes each story very touching.

Each story is incredibly unique. They range from all-natural births to c-sections, some with drugs and some with minor interventions, and women who had health problems to those who were in perfect health. There is even one very sad story of a baby that didn’t make it. Collectively, they give the reader a bird’s eye view of what twists and turns Mother Nature can throw at a woman in labor and the integrative solutions at hand. The way the doctor handles the births is wonderful and always seems so right, putting to shame many other doctors who treat pregnancy exclusively as a medical condition.

The stories in Homebirth in the Hospital are awe-inspiring and may leave you in tears of joy and grief as you share in these women’s most intimate moments. A very good read for first-time mothers interested in natural birth, it shows you that nothing is set in stone and even the a typical pregnancy can end unpredictably. The book provides the reader with insight into a woman’s intuition during pregnancy and labor as well as what to look for in a doctor. Homebirth in the Hospital is a captivating book that is rich with emotion and often difficult to put down.

Pick up a copy here.