The Business of Being Born (2008)

Birth: it's a miracle. A rite of passage. A natural part of life. But more than anything, birth is a business. Compelled to find answers after a disappointing birth experience with her ... See full summary »

Director:

Abby Epstein

Stars:

Mary Helen Ayres, Julia Barnett Tracy, Sylvie Blaustein

Cast

Credited cast:
Mary Helen Ayres	...	Herself - Homebirth Midwife in Indiana
Julia Barnett Tracy	...	Herself - Parent
Sylvie Blaustein	...	Herself - Owner & Director, Midwifery of Manhattan
Louann Brizendine	...	Herself
Michael Brodman	...	Himself
Patricia Burkhardt	...	Herself
Tina Cassidy	...	Herself - Journalist and Author of 'Birth'
Ronaldo Cortes	...	Himself - Ob / Gyn (as Dr. Ronaldo Cortes)
Robbie Davis-Floyd	...	Herself - Medical Anthropologist
Eugene Declerq	...	Himself
Abby Epstein	...	Herself - Filmmaker
Eden Fromberg	...	Herself - Ob / Gyn (as Dr. Eden Fromberg)
Natashia Fuksman	...	Herself - Doula (Labor Support)
Ina May Gaskin	...	Herself - Midwife
Nadine Goodman	...	Herself - Public Health Specialist

Storyline

Birth: it's a miracle. A rite of passage. A natural part of life. But more than anything, birth is a business. Compelled to find answers after a disappointing birth experience with her first child, actress Ricki Lake recruits filmmaker Abby Epstein to explore the maternity care system in America. Focusing on New York City, the film reveals that there is much to distrust behind hospital doors and follows several couples who decide to give birth on their own terms. There is an unexpected turn when director Epstein not only discovers she is pregnant, but finds the life of her child on the line. Should most births should be viewed as a natural life process, or should every delivery be treated as a potential medical emergency?

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Plot Keywords:

birth | hospital | brief female frontal nudity | archival footage | doctor | 

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Genres:

Documentary

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Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 January 2008 (USA)

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$9,574 (USA) (11 January 2008)

Gross:

$69,348 (USA) (22 February 2008)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Barranca Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Connections

Features Ricki Lake (1992)

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Soundtracks

"Jack Kerouac"
Written by Joy Askew
Published by Foggy Music

User Reviews

The Real Finale to Sex and the City!

This film is full of life: humor, elation, disappointment, and the full range of emotions that the birthing experience provides. It is inspirational to women and partners and allows them to view different births including the preparation. These hip, smart and endearing city women and partners allow the viewers to share an important time of their life. Giving women more choice in their ideal birthing experience spares them from being surprised by the reality of hospital births. The lack of support in the United States for birthing families is surprising. This film is supportive, courageous and dares to challenge ignorance in the delivery room.