Epstein's argument in favor of home birthing is certainly biased -- but its biases are so transparent, and so impassioned, that they work in the film's favor.
Epstein's argument in favor of home birthing is certainly biased -- but its biases are so transparent, and so impassioned, that they work in the film's favor.
This is a personal documentary tackling the controversial debate between at-home and hospital births in the United States. It contains hocking facts (illuminating to both men and women alike), regarding the historical and current practices of the child-birthing industry. The chronicle is interwoven with footage of married couples opting for home childbirth.
Former talk show host Ricki Lake had her first baby in a hospital and came away with the need for a birth experience that was more empowering, with less medical intervention.
A powerful, frightening look at America's delivery room that makes a strong case for natural childbirth overseen by experienced midwives rather than by surgery-prone doctors.
Passionate, enlightening and unabashedly one-sided, Abby Epstein's documentary is not for everyone. But at the very least, it should be seen by every pregnant woman in America.
Full of surprises, including shocking stats about the high rate of infant mortality in America, prevalence and high cost of Cesarean deliveries and contextual presentation of Ricki Lake's home video of the delivery of her child.
Not a lot new about the U.S. obstetrics industry, but despite its faults, its arguments are worth bringing to a new generation of health providers and expectant parents.
This movie really made me realize how cold and impersonal the hospital births really are. If I ever had another kid (first I need to find someone to sleep with me again) I would make my significant other watch this movie.
Interviews with the mothers and footage of the birth process combine to offer intimate portraits of women preparing for and experiencing this natural phenomenon that has become increasingly mechanized.
Contending that America's mothers would be far better off if deliveries were taken out of the hands of obstetricians and hospitals, director/producer Abby Epstein and executive producer Ricki Lake will push buttons, but they won't jab them.
While a good source of information, this documentary is terribly put together. The director doesn't even attempt to make the documentary at least feel fair and balanced. The only people interviewed in this film are those that agree with the film's overall message. When the opposing view is represented, silly music is
added and the footage is edited in a way that it appears as though it were nothing more than a montage of stupidity. While I understand that one cannot be completely objective when making a film, it would have been nice to not to have felt beaten over the head by the message. In summary, if you love your docs completely one sided and poorly constructed, then pick this one up for your next date night!
August 16, 2011
Reid Volk
Super Reviewer
Wow. This movie makes me so glad I don't have to have kids. I'm already a fan of natural birth and a opponent of most of the medical profession, but this movie didn't do the best job ever of bringing these points to light. It could have focused more on facts about child birth and hospitals, but instead it focused on
crap like some french dude talking about how hospital mothers don't care about their babies because they didn't hold them afterward. P.S. I'm scarred for life after seeing Riki Lake give birth. Yikes. So graphic...
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