I hope that you have seen the documentary The Business of Being Born. It’s very well done. If haven’t seen it yet, make a point to watch it!
A reader emailed me to let me know that when the documentary was released earlier this year (2008) the producers of Oprah’s show declined to produce their own show on the topics of pregnancy and birth care in the United States. Their reason was that these issues lack “mass appeal.”
I feel like American women would like to know the state of maternity and newborn care in the USA – and why it often isn’t ideal. Reader Danielle suggested writing in to Oprah and her producers to let them know that women are indeed interested in coverage of this important issue.
I feel that birth and the treatment of women and babies is a timeless issue – but it’s an issue that is very relevant in today’s modern society with the medicalization of pregnancy and birth.
If you’d like to comment to Oprah and producers click here to send an email.
2 Comments
Hi. I got to your blog when I did a search for cloth diapers. However, I read you blurb on Oprah and wrote in immediately to tell her that BOBB does have widespread appeal and that it is an incredibly important topic! Thanks for posting that!
Sultana
http://www.simplewondersdiapers.com
I watched that movie the day after we had our home water birth. It confirmed that our decision was the best. I was ready to do it all over again right away. As for Oprah, I think the real reason that they won’t show it is that more women would do it (home births) since “Oprah” said so. I saw a memo that the AMA is now saying that home births are bad. I guess it all leads down to education and spreading the word.