Search - Attending Birth on DVD

An amazing documentary

Nasri Hajjar | Jounieh, Sahel Alma, Lebanon | 04/13/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Birth is the most sacred and wonderful miracle of life, attending it is the greatest honor and privilege anyone can have.
Too bad many rush to hospitals and fear not going through it except with the presence of a doctor and an obstetrician. Not to lessen their importance, not at all, we need them very much, especially during complications and high risk births. But it is a shame most women don't just stay at home in their natural cozy environment with their beloved families and a well trained midwife and/or doula.

They talk about mortality rates and dangers, well, statistics prove that it is so much safer to bring a healthy baby to this world at home naturally.
Fearing labor pains and insisting on useless epidurals make things worse. It slows the labor and then there are needs for other drugs to re-accelerate it making contractions even much more painful.
There are so many other benefits for homebirths and disadvantages of hospital births, I advise all to watch this amazing documentary to discover them; I cannot impose my opinion but you can hear what people who experienced it would tell you and even watch breathtaking images of couples in waterbirth scenes and realize how much happier and safer these mothers are.

Some women also feel better during waterbirth, and ever since Igor Charkovsky introduced it in the 60s, it is used more and more often. It's a perfect way to relax in labor.
There are discussions whether it is better to use a regular cheap kiddy pool or rent a special expensive birth pool or in a bath tub or in the ocean or so on. Well, as long as the water is warm enough, and as long as the valiant laboring mother is comfortable and moving at her ease comforted by her beloved husband and family who try their best to sooth her pains and encourage her, it will work and is safe in any case.
Many boil water and dip a piece of cloth or towel in it to put it on the dilating vagina to reduce the pains a bit, or some use some other ancient but effective and secure methods. Being in water leads to the same results and it also reduces some back pains because the lower body is submerged.

Even if it sounds a bit strange, a cow trough can be used!
It is some sort of tub which can be filled with water and can be accommodated so that the women can be comfortable in it. So why not also use it if you want to?

Thanks for the mothers allowing us to attend, even if not personally, their wonderful births.
It is so inspiring to watch them, all expecting mothers will surely be encouraged by this video."

Loved IT!!

Bree90 | 06/25/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Watching this made me want to have a kid despite the fact that I am not expecting one...yet.

There is so much information out there for women,,n for men too....about home birth that America has not heard of! there are some interesting stats in here that prove that we really do need to change how we think about birth... Some things that I had questions about with regards to home birth were answered here, and I thank God I've gotten t watch this before having my own children.

True to say, my fear of home birth is gone now! and I can't wait to bring my little ones into this world! The VERY NATURAL way.. :)"

Welcome Breath of Common Sense

Homebirth Dad | 04/03/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Attending Birth" is really several separate videos. Each segment is different, but collectively they dispel the mystery surrounding birth and remove the fear and popular myths and cultural stereotypes our society seems to attach to birth. Each segment is refreshing in its own way. The interview with Jenine Tgettis is perhaps my favorite -- her calm and ingenuous description of giving birth, 3 days earlier, to the daughter she is nursing as she speaks, is simply arresting. "Evidence-Based Childbirth" is a welcome breath of common sense, and Dr. Marsden Wagner is a kick! For anyone interested in birth, "Attending Birth" is a "must" see."

Attending Birth

E. Danel | SF, California | 04/09/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A must for pregnant woman. If you want a natural birth in a hospital you have to have an advocate with you these days or the "professionals" take over and you have a typical institutional birth, with a 38% chance of cesaerean. This explores other possibilities and helps you take control of your birth."