Last week we were asked to view a film called The Business of Being Born, it centered around various women who chose to have natural births, and allow nature to take it's course. These women chose to have natural births to feel more in touch with the birthing experience. And this was all done without the help of medication, and pain relievers such as epidurals. These women were the ringleaders of their deliveries, and they were in charge. This film was very eye-opening and discussed, among many things, our blind trust in hospitals and in it's doctors. Both of whom, are supposed to make the birthing experience more comfortable for the mother and child. But, after viewing this film it seems like they have a whole other agenda.
Before this film I never saw hospitals as "businesses" which is what the film referred it as. A business whose only goal is to fill it's beds and then empty them. This may or may not be the case for all hospitals, but it is the case for many. And sadly since this is their goal, spontaneous medical descions are being made for "legal reasons" and not for the benefit of the mother and child. It's very upsetting to think about, that the miracle of birth is in most cases rushed and impersonal. I want my first birth to mean something. And as Ricki Lake so eloquently stated, "Birth wasn't an illness, and wasn't something that needed to be numbed, it needed to be experienced." And when you can give birth you can do anything, and I think that was the main message from the film. A message that I will take with me.
(Jennifer Hall)
i agree with this post as well.. the movie gave a specific point of view,and defintly expands alot of ppl's perspectives who dont really know much about birthing opions.
ReplyDelete(Nour Salmeen)
I like this topic and your comments, Jennifer! What struck me the most in the movie was also the "business" of the hospitals. Although I've heard the correlation between the two before, it never meant as much to me until the movie put it into this context. It definitely makes me reconsider future decisions about how I want my birthing experience to be. I would prefer the people taking care of me to have a genuine interest in my health and happiness, rather than the profit that may come with my visit.
ReplyDelete(Brittany Randolph)
I'm glad this was brought up. I never thought of the hospitals as being a "business" until I saw the movie. But, then I rethought about it and said any place that is making money is a business. I feel that they still care about your health even though they try to get you in out. Because, if they did not get someone in and out, then another person could possibly not be able get a bed to receive service as well. I agree with some of the things said in the movie but it was only from their point of view and how they felt so in the movie I feel like they could have portrayed things in a different sight then what they really are. I give two thumbs up to the women who do the natural births but I still feel like you can have a great touch with the birthing experience without having a natural birth. But, that's just my opinion. :. It was a great movie...Very interesting!
ReplyDelete(Brittney Williams)