This film, with executive producer, Ricki Lake and directed by Abby Epstein chronicles the pregnancies of several women (including Epstein herself) as it delves into the evolution of birthing in the US. In 87 minutes, the movie raises some provocative questions such as why Cesarean sections are the most commonly performed surgeries in the US and rising; why less than 8% of American women turn to midwives for birthing; and why the US has the second worst infant mortality rate in the developed world?

Despite the compelling and intensely personal nature of the material, it wasn't easy to get the film made. Lake ended up financing the project herself over the last three years. Epstein says some TV networks thought it was just too controversial to take on the medical establishment.

"People don't understand the topic and people perceive this as the 'Brown Rice Moms,' those crunchy moms trying to push their agenda on other moms," Epstein explained to me. Instead, she underlines, "The film is about empowerment and about women being robbed of an amazing transformative experience that women deserve to control."

The movie is in limted showing in Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York. Keep an eye on the website to see if and when it arrives in Sacramento. Or you can rent it on NetFlix or the DVD will be for sale at the end of March. It could be a great topic for an upcoming SacWomen event?

Gillian Parrillo
SacWomen