The Business of Being Born

The Independent Midwives’ Association (IMA) and the NCT are hosting private screenings of ‘The Business of Being Born’ - directed by Abby Epstein, executive producer Ricki Lake – to raise awareness of the importance of good quality midwife led care and to campaign to save independent midwifery in the UK.

Lake’s documentary film ‘The Business of Being Born’ looks at the birth culture in America, explores the choice between obstetric and midwifery care and asks if birth is becoming increasingly medicalised and too far removed from a natural life event. Lake became interested in the US birth culture after having her first child. Her second child was born at home and this is featured in the documentary, along with footage of other women giving birth.

The IMA and NCT are planning a tour of private independent screenings in over 100 locations over the coming months. See list below.

With rising caesarean rates, a reduction in one to one midwifery care and low home birth rates, the IMA and NCT are highlighting this film as an example of what could happen in the UK in the future if we ignore the need for good midwifery-led maternity care. Both organisations are also calling on the Government to increase funding and resources to ensure current maternity policies are met and that women have access to quality care and choice.

Belinda Phipps, Chief Executive, NCT says; "This film shows us a picture of the future of birth in the UK if resources and changes to the way we treat women are not introduced as a matter of urgency. We believe it is vital for women to feel confident in the fact they will have one-to-one midwifery care throughout their labour. Around ten percent of women in the UK have reported they worry in advance about a possible lack of support and feel anxious when left alone in labour and this is unacceptable."

“We are taking this film on tour because we want to raise awareness of the choices women have over their maternity care. Every woman should receive one-to-one support from a midwife throughout her labour and they should be able to choose the environment in which they give birth."

"We need women in the UK to know what's possible and to stand up for a service that will meet their needs and give them the midwifery care they deserve."

The Business of Being Born DVD is now available from NCT Shop, order online or call 08458 100 100

See the film

For more information and to book a place at the screening please contact campaigns@nct.org.uk

Host a screening

The NCT’s Campaigns Department is encouraging NCT members and members of the public to work with local independent midwives and host a screening of the film for NCT members, their friends and prospective parents as well as local health and social care professionals and healthcare providers. These events have the potential to help the NCT and the IMA raise their profile in the local community and with the local media and build relationships with local policy makers and health professionals.

Screenings would provide a perfect opportunity to highlight the IMA's and the NCT's campaigning objectives.

For information and terms and conditions on the film licensing agreement - email campaigns@nct.org.uk

Background

In 2001, Ricki Lake gave birth to her second child with the assistance of a midwife in her home bathtub. She made the choice for a home birth after she experienced unwanted medical interventions while delivering her first child in a hospital setting. When Ricki succeeded in giving birth on her own terms and the experience was so unexpectedly empowering and life-changing that she felt every woman should know what they could be missing out on.

Inspired by her own experience, actress Ricki Lake approached filmmaker Abby Epstein to collaborate on a film that would examine birth culture in America and ask questions about the way American women have babies.

The documentary was created to examine birth culture in America, and ask questions about the way American women have babies. The film features footage of many families’ birth experiences as well as 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?

Footage of women having babies punctuates the film. 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. As Epstein uncovers some surprising answers, her own pregnancy adds a very personal dimension to the film a must-see movie for anyone even thinking about having a baby!

For more information please see www.thebusinessofbeingborn.com

Save Independent Midwifery

The Independent Midwives Association (IMA) has been hosting screenings of US documentary across the UK since April to raise awareness of and raise money for the IMA's Save Independent Midwifery campaign. NCT supports this campaign. It is important for women and families that independent midwives are available as one of the range of choices available for maternity care, but independent midwives' right to practice is being threatened by changes to insurance rules.

The Business of Being Born also highlights many of the issues the NCT has been campaigning on for years:

• The importance of protecting normal birth
• The benefits of receiving one to one care through labour
• The right for women to choose out of hospital birth

Take Action

Help the IMA to lobby the Executives of your local NHS Trust by writing an e-Postcard. Each online form is converted into a hardcopy postcard that will be sent to your local Trust.

To join in, visit here and click on the banner on the centre-right of the page.