The Business of Being Born

While it talks about medical practices in the US, The Business of Being Born still resonates with me since many of the interventions they do in the US are done here in Korea. You can watch the video on Youtube. There's also a sequel, called More Business of Being Born, which has four parts.

1. Part 1: Down on the Farm
2. Part 2: Special Deliveries
3. Part 3: Explore Your Options
4. Part 4: The VBAC Dilemma

Released in January 2008 with Ricki Lake and Abby Epstein it raises many questions about birthing in the US. This isn't the first time that the US is under the microscope. The State of the World Mother's Reports also points its finger at the US. Despite being a first world country, the US rivals third world countries with some of its statistics about infant mortality rates and breastfeeding.

While the US seems to have changed some of its practices over the year, Korea hasn't and many things that happen here in Korea are what were happening in the US a couple of decades ago. Shaving, enemas, and episiotomies are all part of the assembly line birthing practices here. Natural birth isn't for everyone and C-sections are necessary, but there shouldn't be a one size fits all birth plan for everyone.

In both the US and Korea, the C-section rate is about 30%, however, they can vary widely from doctor to doctor and hospital/birthing center to hospital/birthing center. Many women are given interventions, such as shaving, enemas, episiotomies, pitocin, IVs, epidurals, spinal blocks, cord traction, etc.

There are other videos about natural birthing. You might want to watch Orgasmic Birth and Organic Birth and Organic Birth. Another good video to watch is Ina May's TED talk about reducing fear during birthing is also an eye-opening video that makes you re-think about all the interventions done to women in labor. Ina May Gaskin is a pioneer in the natural birthing field and has many women get the birth they want. 
 
Reviews about The Business of Being Born

• Amazon
• IMDB
• NY Times

Resources

• Birth Plans for Korea
• Hospitals and Birthing Centers in Korea
• Signs Your Doctor Will Perform an Unnecessary C-section

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Tender Embrace Birthing offers childbirth, breastfeeding, and newborn care classes and support.