The Business of Being Born (2007) February 20, 2008

Birth is a miracle, a rite of passage, a natural part of life. But birth is also big business. Compelled to explore the subject after the delivery of her first child, actress Ricki Lake recruited filmmaker Abby Epstein to question the way American women have babies. Epstein gains access to several pregnant New York City women as they weigh their options. Some of these women are or will become clients of Cara Muhlhahn, a charismatic midwife who, between birth events, shares both memories and footage of her own birth experience. Footage of women having babies punctuates 'The Business Of Being Born.' Each experience is unique; all are equally beautiful and equally surprising. film's fundamental question: should most births be viewed as a natural life process, or should every delivery be treated as a potential medical emergency? Abby Epstein appears in conjunction with the film 'The Business of Being Born.'