The process of natural childbirth is a subject that I have become very passionate about since the birth of my last child. I had two epidural childbirths with Alec and Sophie and it was during my third pregnancy that I began to look into natural childbirth.

As many of you know I worked as a nurse in the OB/GYN medical field prior to beginning this business so I have been instructed to look at most things from a medical perspective. I wanted to learn why it was so uncommon for women to have a natural, un-medicated childbirth. I decided that this was something I wanted to experience and prepared myself over the course of several months to take on this endeavor.

After reading books and more books, viewing hundreds of videos of natural childbirth and interviewing every woman I knew that had experienced natural childbirth, I felt prepared. I trained myself in ways to relax and calm my body and patiently waited. I went into labor on a Monday night and after 18 hours of labor my beautiful son arrived via natural childbirth. This experience hit number one on my list of AMAZING moments in my life. This was an experience that I would never forget. Never in my life had I felt so empowered and in touch with my body. I had conquered the goal that I had set for myself.

In 2001, actress Ricki Lake gave birth to her second child with the assistance of a midwife in her home bathtub. She made the choice for a home birth after she experienced unwanted medical interventions while delivering her first child at a hospital birthing center. Ricki succeeded in giving birth on her own terms and the experience was so unexpectedly empowering and life-changing that she felt every woman should know what they could be missing out on.

Ricki approached filmmaker Abby Epstein to collaborate on a film that would examine birth culture in America, and ask questions about the way American women have babies. The Business of Being Born is a must-see film that asks the following question: should most births be viewed as a natural life process, or should every delivery be treated as a potential medical emergency? The filmmakers are allowing local screenings to help raise awareness on the topic and support birth organziations on a local level. Please visit http://www.thebusinessofbeingborn.com/ to view upcoming screenings in your area. You can also view the trailer on their website. If you live near the Redlands area, Active Life Chiropractic & The Wellness Loft are presenting a special benefit screening. The scheduled dates are Wednesday, February 6 at 6:30 pm and Friday, February 8 at 6:30 pm. Please call 909-793-9355 for ticket prices and more details.