ORGASMIC BIRTH

Audiences around the world are cheering Orgasmic Birth, a documentary film by internationally respected childbirth educator, doula, and birth activist Debra Pascali-Bonaro that asks: What would happen if women were taught to enjoy birth rather than endure it?

Five years in the making, Orgasmic Birth challenges cultural myths by revealing the emotional, spiritual, and physical heights attainable through birth. Viewers witness the passion of birth as women give birth in unhurried, non-medicalized settings—including hospital birth centers— where they feel supported and safe.

Birthing experts who provide commentary in the film include women’s health advocate and bestselling author Christiane Northrup, MD; Marsden Wagner, MD, MS, former director of Women’s and Children’s Health for the World Health Organization; and other leaders in the field. They explain that a pleasurable birth is an integral part of women’s sexuality and a neglected human right.

This event was sponsored by The Massachusetts Friends of Midwives, The Western Massachusetts Homebirth Midwives Association, The Green River Doula Network and Smith College.

Other movies:

The Business of Being Born Compelled to explore the subject after the delivery of her first child, actress Ricki Lake recruits filmmaker Abby Epstein to question the way American women have babies. Birth is a miracle, a rite of passage, a natural part of life. But birth is also big business. The film interlaces intimate birth stories with surprising historical, political and scientific insights and shocking statistics about the current maternity care system. When director Epstein discovers she is pregnant during the making of the film, the journey becomes even more personal. Should most births be viewed as a natural life process, or should every delivery be treated as a potentially catastrophic medical emergency?

Orgasmic Birth The filmmaker, Debra Pascali-Bonaro, spent five years researching, interviewing and collaborating for this groundbreaking film which visually and verbally presents birth as an ecstatic experience. Oxytocin, birth and digital videography make a great team in this highly informative film. Those interviewed include Ina May Gaskin, Maureen Corry, Elizabeth Davis, Sarah Buckley and Marsden Wagner.

AND The newly released film: “Laboring Under an Illusion: Portrayal of Childbirth in the Mass Media”

This brand new film shows how human childbirth is portrayed in American movies, television, and tabloids. Humorist and media specialist Vicki Elson created this hilarious, alarming and inspiring film contrasting Hollywood birth scenes with films made by natural childbirth advocates.

Relevant Links:

Birth Year Network of Southeastern Massachusetts & Cape Cod—www.birthyearnetwork.org

Massachusetts Friends of Midwives—www.mfom.org

Citizens for Midwifery—www.cfmidwifery.org

The Business of Being Born—www.thebusinessofbeingborn.com

Orgasmic Birth—www.orgasmicbirth.com

“Why does the National US Cesarean Section Rate Keep Going Up?”—www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10456

The Mother Baby International Film Festival—www.tcmiff.org/