Extra Cedit Comparison and Contrast

I performed the extra credit activity, and watched, “One born every Minute” which I then compared with “The Business of being born,” and I noted some very interesting similarities and differences. These two shows provide two different views of the birthing experience. The Business of Being Born (BBB,) changed my entire mindset of how a woman should experience childbirth. I knew that I wanted a natural birth, but I also planned on being in a hospital. The Business of Being Born opened my eyes to the big business and capitalist nature behind giving birth in healthcare today. It showed me that’s what’s best for  the mother and baby wasn’t being taken into account, and it really made me question if I even wanted to continue in the career path of Obstetrics and Gynecology. The natural births provided such a completely different experience then the births I witnessed in One Born Every Minute (BEM). For instance, in BBB it clearly stated that the vertical position was the most optimum position for giving birth, and that lying down provides the biggest chance of an episiotomy. Yet, every woman in BEM used that position of birthing, and every woman was set up to an IV.

One of the mothers; Nicole 34, had a full day of active labor. At first when a C-section was mentioned as a possible option for delivery she cried and was very against it, but after a full 24 hours in labor, she submits with the reason of exhaustion. Although, one of her main reasons for originally being against a C-section was because she felt like she wouldn’t get that initial bonding time with her baby. The mothers in BBB had stronger and more active birthing support from their partners as opposed to BEM. The home births had male participation where the males would actually get into the birthing tub, and holding their significant others during the most active stages of labor. While the males in BEM just looked on with helpless expressions as their wives moaned and groaned through labor. The husband of Christian 33, who was having her fourth child, even dropped his camera on their new baby girl! The amount of medical intervention also greatly differed in the Business of Being Born; the women were only monitored by the midwife and she served as an extra aide to help the body do what it does best. Their bodies were truly the stars of the show. 

In One Born every Minute however, once the women were fully dilated it seemed as if the responsibility was taken out of their hands. The doctors in Christian’s case used the vacuum and had three pop offs.  None of the women were able to eat, and two out of the three mothers would get epidurals. The only thing I really saw that the two views of birth had in common was that they were actually giving birth and there was family support, but the experiences of the mothers in the two situations was drastically different.