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Birth is a miracle, a rite of passage,
a natural part of life. But birth is also big business.
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. Epstein gains access to several
pregnant New York City women as they weigh their options. Some of
these women are or will become clients of Cara Muhlhahn, a charismatic
midwife who, between birth events, shares both memories and footage
of her own birth experience. Footage of women having babies punctuates
THE BUSINESS OF BEING BORN. Each experience is unique; all
are equally beautiful and equally surprising. Giving birth is clearly
the most physically challenging event these women have ever gone
through, but it is also the most emotionally rewarding.
Along the way, Epstein conducts interviews with a number of obstetricians,
experts and advocates about the history, culture and economics of
childbirth. The film's fundamental question: should most births
be viewed as a natural life process, or should every delivery be
treated as a potential medical emergency? As Epstein uncovers some
surprising answers, her own pregnancy adds a very personal dimension
to THE BUSINESS OF BEING BORN, a must-see movie for anyone
even thinking about having a baby. |
