Last week my (future OB) friend, Annie, called me from NY to talk about the morning she’d had. Up there for interviews, she’d met one of the main homebirth back-up doctors featured in Ricki Lake’s documentary The Business of Being Born. That morning they’d had a showing of the movie for the residents and attendings.
A large number of them booed and catcalled during most of the movie.
(Did I mention one of their bosses is featured prominently as an obvious supporter of natural childbirth?)
Annie and I discussed for a long time the inherent polarization of the (vast majority of the) medical community versus natural advocates. And what angered me most with her story was that their behavior was shamefully arrogant and narrow-minded, and it attested to the same kind of patronizing attitudes I’ve encountered in my own experiences as a pregnant mother or doula. That is ridiculous on too many conceivable counts, but I’m not going to get into why, because I think that’s probably obvious no matter where you stand.
So this morning on my local parenting board someone posted last week’s review of the doc featured in Slate. And here’s the thing, I don’t totally disagree with the writer that it’s propaganda. Personally, on one hand, I wish there could be even-handed media to present – in an effort to quell the skeptical bias people already have towards unconventional practices like homebirth. But on the other hand, I totally understand why the movie needs to be so far that direction, because it’s fighting a monstrously large and insipid medical mentality, and it’s the shock value that usually wakes people up and makes them think. (And maybe you’re thinking even my wording’s dramatic, but.. well.. it really is the truth.)
But then the writer gleefully mentions how the director’s eventual breech c-section is a ‘counter argument’ for the cause. And that’s a perfect example of missing the freaking point: Very few people – very few- would say that there is never a need for medical intervention. Obviously this mama and her midwife decided it was time to go to the hospital. ACOG calls for 30 minutes as a window to prepare for a normal section, and when a homebirther transfers, rarely is it the ambulance screeching drama you see in movies. Which is the whole thing, that it doesn’t need to be either/or. The best case scenario would be working in tandem.
Currently it’s (excuse me) a dick waving contest.
But that’s beside the point. I’m frustrated (and resigned) that the reviewer couldn’t really discuss the documentary without her own bias hypocritically shining through. She calls the team out for statistical inconsistencies (the quote about fetal homebirth death rates) yet doesn’t cite the studies. I think I know which one she’s referencing, and the key detail missing there is that all births outside of the hospital are included as a homebirth. So late-term miscarriages, side-of-the-road emergency situations – all are lumped into the category. And there is such an incredible difference between an emergency precipitous birth in the automotive section of Wal-Mart and a planned homebirth. Stating it the way she did is highly disingenuous – and not surprising.
(Propaganda what?)
Really, I could get more steps for my soapbox and give a lengthy diatribe about egos interfering with the supposed main goal of healthy baby and mother blahblahblah, but I won’t. First because I don’t have the energy to get too fired up today, but mostly because I believe that if you are educated, you will make the best decision for your family, whether it’s in a hospital or on the moon. So if this snarky reviewer (and everyone who feels the same way) wants to dismiss the valid points made in the documentary out-of-hand simply because they are different – I mean ‘crockpot’ – well, go for it sister.
It is easier to float along when you choose not to muddle your life with critical thinking.
11 comments
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Thursday, January 17, 2008 at 11:54 am
SS
I keep thinking spud might just explode through Misty’s midsection like the alien from Space Balls then break out into dance and song… however I love my wife and reality a bit too much for that.
As for how alien baby will burst onto the scene, I say whatever makes Mist happy and confident. Seems to me that so long as mama’s happy and comfy that baby will come out ok. But I’m still going to have the cane and hat ready in case scenario one comes into play.
Thursday, January 17, 2008 at 12:05 pm
jen
“I say whatever makes Mist happy and confident.”
Exactamundo, amigo. And knowledge is empowering.
Thursday, January 17, 2008 at 12:24 pm
Brandi
Is it legal for people like Sam to reproduce?
Thursday, January 17, 2008 at 12:28 pm
jen-nay
I don’t talk to my doctor-friend about homebirthing or anything alternative anymore. Someone so open-minded in most other areas of his life can’t accept that the hospital birth isn’t what is best for every woman. I am looking forward to watching The Business of Being Born. I heart propaganda when I agree with it. 🙂
Thursday, January 17, 2008 at 1:45 pm
SS
hahaha… brilliant Brandi.
My guess is the European Union probably has laws about such things… thankfully the colonies are still a bit lax in that department. But don’t worry, we’ll bring spud over to reign terror on the Deutchland soon enough.
Friday, January 18, 2008 at 12:39 am
Brandi
Oh, Sam, you’re the living end!
Friday, January 18, 2008 at 7:15 am
jen
Dorks! Both of you!
(Who’s in charge of planning the Collegian reunion, anyway?)
Friday, January 18, 2008 at 11:26 am
Brandi
Not me, love. I’m all up and living the European life (read: drunk and hairy). I will, however, be making a guest appearance in The Big Easy Jan. 29-Feb. 1. Sam, no time to visit our part of the great state of Louisiana, I’m afraid. But I suppose my lungs will thank me for not taking them to visit Sulphur.
It would be damn awesome to see y’all again, though. Why can’t you all just come over here? What with that weak-ass dollar, you can live like millionaires. And by that I mean you’ll be paying $6 for a small beer. And that’s what rich people do, right? I can’t wait to visit me some outlet malls and spend all of these dollars that have been piling up here like so much Monopoly money. Maybe I can rent me a helper monkey.
Friday, January 18, 2008 at 12:14 pm
jen
You’re not headed further West than that?! I though you hailed from Derby or Newton!
Friday, January 18, 2008 at 4:02 pm
SS
Yes, best to stay away from Sulphur and Lake Chuck, thou Contraband Days will be just around the corner. Enjoy Na’lens, it’s always a good time.
We’re thinking of a Euro invasion in April perhaps, depending on how Misty’s doing… She wants to hit up Paris and all the museums… I’d prefer getting sloshed in a Germany and Amsterdam, so we shall see. My guess is it will be Paris this time and hopefully Germany next year, baby will need to get its own stein anyway.
I think a Collegan Euro reunion would be helluva good times thou… I’m in!
Saturday, January 19, 2008 at 2:04 am
Brandi
Newton, Jen, Newton. Derby, like the hat of the same name, is for losers. I’m going to New Orleans for the Informex, which is a trade show for the chemical industry. In other words, I would not be going there of my own volition. We haven’t been back to the U.S. in two years, and we haven’t been in Kansas since 2003. I’m sure that Kansas will be back on our agenda sometime soon, though.
Until then, you all are welcome to Germany, even if your only goal is to get sloshed while your pregnant wife looks on (I’m looking at you, Sam…).