Comments on: Mass Media Childbirth vs. The Real Thing

By: vickispix

vickispix — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 07:46:04 +0000

Yes it does, but …
Yes it does, but not in a way that is preachy. It’s a collection of clips, compared and contrasted, that respects the viewer’s ability to make up her own mind. That said, there is wonderful and inspiring footage — once you see a bit of the films excerpted, you might want to obtain some of those films in their entirety.

By: swargy14x

swargy14x — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 07:46:04 +0000

I’m not very …
I’m not very familiar w/this video..does it support natural childbirth? I was just wondering b/c my husband and I are expecting our second lil’ boy and using a CNM this go around. I’m trying to put together a good collection of references in order to prepare.

By: keithandjess

keithandjess — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 07:46:04 +0000

i saw this …
i saw this wonderful film at a conference last fall, and we’re planning a public screening in our community. As a doula and childbirth educator, I’m always looking for new ways to get the general public thinking about birth, without completely clubbing them over the head with propaganda. “Laboring Under an Illusion” is a lovely way to open a community conversation about birth in a way that a wide variety of people can connect with. Thanks, Vicki Elson!

By: KimSycamore

KimSycamore — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 07:46:04 +0000

I was impressed …
I was impressed that Vicki Elson wisely and fairly used natural birth documentaries and educational DVDS as well as sitcoms, television dramas and tabloid magazines to examine the cultural message of popular media. That was a smart decision and makes “Laboring Under and Illusion” all the more powerful too for looking at why we believe what we believe about chilbirth.

By: hannahgk

hannahgk — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 07:46:04 +0000

Terrific ~ a …
Terrific ~ a balanced, intelligent, thought-provoking presentation of birth. From the silly to the sublime, Vicki Elson captures the beautiful potential of fully-engaged, participatory family childbirth, and the skewed perspective of prime-time nonsense (carefully notice the “Baywatch” clip!) This film is timely, entertaining, well-researched, and inspiring. Thanks!

By: UrbanCrunchyMama

UrbanCrunchyMama — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 07:46:04 +0000

Thanks for making …
Thanks for making this available on YouTube. I’ve posted this trailer on my Facebook page.

– always the birth advocate

By: BonnieB2323

BonnieB2323 — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 07:46:04 +0000

Finally someone is …
Finally someone is putting the truth about birth on film.
Real birth is wonderful, triumphant. The media has been partially responsible for making it look dangerous, painful, and definitely something you need a physician to help with and something you would want to forget.
Of course this is totally WRONG. Women are uniquely designed to have their own babies! With encouragement and support of a midwife most women can do just fine. The most beautiful experience, memorable, fantastic !

By: skyeway

skyeway — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 07:46:04 +0000

I want to see it, I …
I want to see it, I thinkit may be biased, looking at some of the ‘real thing’ births that are up there. It’ll be interesting to watch regardless.