the Business of Being Born

As soon as I found out I was pregnant, I knew I'd choose Dr. Mixson. Several co-workers sang his praise, and after I met him, it just felt right. It seemed that he understood things beyond being a doctor with no children of his own somewhat, and he didn't rush you through check-ups et cetera. He also had two wonderful midwives working with him. Both of them saw me for regular check-ups, and Janice eventually saw me in the hospital when I first started having major problems.

All said and done, I am in a whole different category from a lot of people in this film. I didn't have a choice about what kind of birth experience I had... Enid had to come out ASAP or neither of us would have made it. I wouldn't have done a home birth, but I would have done things differently if I did have a choice.

I've known people who've gone strictly the birth center route and then had such long excruciating labor that they had to be moved to a hospital anyway. I've known people who had completely natural births in hospitals as well. The various paths go on and on, but the point is that women (and their partners) really need to be more informed and empowered.

I honestly do recommend watching the documentary... even if you don't have children or plan to have any, you were one and you know people who have them. There are some alarming statistics mentioned and numerous people who work in different areas of the childbirth field give their experience and expertise. It might be surprising.