Orgasmic Birth Documentary

Mom Stages - Birth

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Available only in limited screening dates around the world and through the websites as a DVD you can own, this documentary follows the intimate birthing journey of eleven women. Each is shown laboring undisturbed in a free, sensuous, joyous moment in a variety of environments and with a mixture of outcomes in the birth process; from homebirth to cesarean without demonizing one or the other. The film begs the question – “What would happen if women were taught to enjoy birth rather than endure it?”

The first thing you need to know is that the film is not a ‘how to’ or instructional movie. Orgasmic Birth poses the ultimate challenge to our cultural myths and confronts even the staunchest natural birthing advocates beliefs about birthing. It opens the possibilities for all of us to rethink our beliefs about birthing, pregnancy and the sexual nature of birth. Absolutely birth can be painful, exhausting, traumatic; but equally it can be joyous, empowering, exhilarating, and perhaps even enjoyable.

Reactions to the film have ranged from sniggering laughter, to disbelief to outrage from all walks of life and experiences. Again, it is not the material most people are reacting to – it is their own perceptions and expectations of what they believe birth to be.

Filmmaker Debra Pascali-Bonaro reveals a revolutionary approach to birth that is statistically safer and healthier for both mother and child than the birthing and delivery methods that are standard in many parts of the world today. She draws on interviews from a variety of well known experts and respected people, from  Sarah J. Buckley author of Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering, Ina May Gaskin author of Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth to Dr. Christiane Northrup, author of numerous books and famously Oprah's gyno. The documentary shows a variety of birthing situations, from homebirth, to c-section, to medical intervention – without passing judgement on any woman's decision to birth the way she felt necessary or empowered to do so. And in case you were wondering, it does capture a birth where the labouring woman orgasms. It's an incredibly powerful, beautiful scene.

This film reminds us that when women give birth in a safe, private and unobserved space pleasure and ecstasy are possible. Hopefully it will encourage more women to seek out such a birth environment and to make choices which will support their parenting and relationship outcomes in years to come. Although initially this film will appeal to the already converted (mainly homebirth or natural birth advocates), it ought to be promoted within mainstream birthing communities and medical practices. It reinforces natural birthing beliefs and gives viewers a solid way to understand natural birth is important - why reform is important. The sad thing is that the majority of people don't even know that homebirth is legal or possible.

This film is a must for anyone contemplating parenting, those who are pregnant or those unhappy with the current state of medical intervention and control within birthing.

Copies of the DVD can be obtained through Debra's site in the US, or here for Australia and New Zealand.

Image ©2008 Jada Shapiro www.birthdaypresence.net 

Annie is a freelance writer and describes herself as a Thaumaturg  (what mother isn't?). See her catch her growing amount of websites and blogs.

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Emily 2009-03-13 05:19:42 An orgasm during delivery, really? Now I've heard it all.

ecstatic/orgasmic birth possible genakirby (Author) 2009-03-13 11:28:54 I'm not surprised to hear the "Now I've heard it all comment". I hear it a lot. Most women who have only experienced birth in a hospital setting can only laugh at the idea that birth might be a pleasurable experience, instead of something to suffer through. Unfortunately most women haven't heard it all. I'm sure most women don't know that the United States is tied for second place amongst industrialized nations for losing the most women and children around the time of birth. They haven't heard that one in three women are having major surgery instead of vaginal birth, when all studies show that c sections are far more dangerous. They also haven't heard through the media, stories of women enjoying their labor, they haven't heard that home birth is as safe or in many instances SAFER than a hospital birth. Unfortunately our broken maternity ...

Embrace the opportunity jodicleghorn (Author) 2009-03-25 16:50:22 This is a powerful documentary because as you state Annie - it challenges the cultural assumptions of even the most open minded natural birth advocate. What most women do not realise is that the same hormones involved in orgasm are also involved in the labour and birth protest, or that birth is a natural progression on the sexual continuum. While having not had an orgasmic birth - the second stage of my labour (a homebirth) was predominately a peaceful and enjoyable experience because I took the time to research a physiological (no pushing) second stage and demand that for myself. I feel very blessed to have had it. And ditto to everything that Gena said above. Australia is not much better and I fear the Aussie c-section rate is higher than the American one.

Orgasmic Birth Annie_Evett (Editor) 2009-04-20 01:49:41 Thanks Gena and Jodi - its a powerful film and although I now have seen it a half dozen times, there are scenes which still brings tears to my eyes and make me want to shout out the message on the streets...

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