The Wonder of Pregnancy & Birth

By: Amanda Davis

2002 Educational film This movie followed the stories

of 3 different people. Each situation was different in showing how amazing the human body is in adapting and healing.

One story was about an infertile couple wanting to try in-vitro fertilization, in hopes of getting pregnant.

Although doctors can really play God, it is still up to the human body to create that baby and carry it to term!

National Geographic, The Human Body

The tidbit in this movie about in-vitro/artificial insemination, is amazing.

Thank goodness for technology! I cannot believe what a gift doctors can give women who cannot conceive on their own.

It has been some time for my husband and I trying for a baby & we have not had any luck. We may have to go this route.

I am not thrilled about the idea of daily hormone shots to raise the levels of eggs produced by the ovaries, but it is amazing that because of advances in science we have figured out that it can be done.

And I fear that huge needle they inject into the uterus, scary! But the thought of a higher likelihood of multiples is something that my husband and I welcome!

My reflections after viewing “The Human Body”…

2008 Educational film Based on the writings of

French obstetrician Dr. Fredrick Leboyer, exploring alternatives to western child birthing methods.

Focused on 3 methods: calming welcoming environment, chanting/breathing, and massage.

Birth Without Violence

This video shows ways other cultures aside from the western culture treat childbirth and infancy.

I loved the different ways that they showed that women can relax and make the birthing experience more special.

I really enjoyed the segment where the mother massages her infant. He just seems so happy and calm. It is such a precious time for both mom and baby.

I love the idea of welcoming a baby at home and with dimmed lighting and no sound.

Giving the baby time to adjust to his/her new world is so nice, as opposed to being plunged into a harsh world where it is poked and prodded right after birth.

My reflections after viewing ”Birth Without Violence”…

2008 Documentary Birth: it's a miracle. A

rite of passage. A natural part of life. But more than anything, birth is a business.

Ricki Lake sets out to find answers after a disappointing birth of her first child.

The Business of Being Born

This movie seems to have an agenda! I love how this movie follows the lives of 3 women

during this journey, “right of passage” as they call it. Although it is somewhat graphic I loved it because

how real it is. The women in this movie are so brave to expose

themselves during that most private time, thank you ladies!

Because they have shown me that I can take back control of my birthing experience, I want to do so.

At home birth seems so much better than going to the hospital!

My reflections after viewing “The Business of Being Born”…

2008 Documentary/True Story This movie follows the

pregnancy and birth of a young couple, while they attempt to interview individuals in the medial industry, to get real answers about what is happening to women and babies during labor and delivery in hospitals.

Pregnant in America

What an eye opening video! I loved how this couple went all over the

world to get answers. They were able to interview people in the

medical field and it amazed me what kind of responses and attitudes they got.

All in all, it seems like the hospitals cause the problems during child birth. They make the whole experience very impersonal.

My reflections after viewing “Pregnant in America”…

2008 Documentary that

challenges western ideals of childbirth .

Women can take control of their birthing experience to the point of it being actually pleasurable.

Orgasmic Birth: The Best Kept Secret

This video was not at all what I thought it would be. This video was just telling women how they can enjoy

their birthing experience. Women can take their minds to another place of calm

and joy and because of this they can almost eliminate the pain associated with childbirth.

The video said that if the conditions are right, a woman may experience an orgasm, but the goal of the video is to educate women on how to take in every second of their labor and not rush through it.

Women are encouraged to be intimate with their mates, (i.e. hugging, kissing, holding each other) during the hours or minutes leading up to the birth.

My reflections after viewing “Orgasmic Birth”…

2008 This is part 2 of a

series hosted by physician and internationally know scientist Dr John Tyson.

This video offers a straightforward approach to safer and healthier childbirth.

Childbirth From Inside Out

This movie is a step by step tutorial about being pregnant and the process one should usually go through when planning to give birth.

This movie was very graphic, the most graphic I have seen yet, but it has also been the most educational.

I loved how they gave you a plan to go by. They told you things to expect at the hospital and they even gave tips on how to take care of baby once you have gone home.

This movie was wonderful for my educational purposes. My favorite movie so far.

My Reflections after watching “Childbirth From Inside Out”…

I am still teetering back and forth between a home birth and one at the hospital. I can see the benefits to both but I can also see the draw backs to both. I just have to weigh them for me, as to what is most important.

I will continue to search for information about pregnancy and child birth, after all women have been doing this for decades.

I want to be informed for my pregnancy and child birth. I want to know that I did all I could to make the experience the best it could be for both my husband and I and our new baby.

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!

Final Thoughts…