Monday, November 30, 2009

"Orgasmic Birth" giveaway!

Debra Pascali-Bonaro has graciously offered to give away a copy of her film Orgasmic Birth! To enter (one entry per comment, please):
  • If you've already seen the film, write your own review. Post the review on your blog or website, and put a link to the review in the comments. Or post your review directly in the comment section. 
  • Write a question for Debra to answer. I will be interviewing her in the next few weeks and will use the most interesting, thoughtful, or probing questions. 
  • Talk about your own orgasmic/ecstatic/transformative (or whatever!) birth, especially in relation to the issues raised in the documentary.
 Giveaway ends Friday, December 11 at 5 pm EST.

31 comments:

  1. From Abby Mikkelson heartsongbirth@telus.net

    I have not yet seen Orgasmic Birth, though as a doula and Birthing From Within mentor, I've heard a lot about it (why haven't I seen it?).

    QUESTION: What would you say to the women who do NOT have an orgasmic/ecstatic birth experience? In particular the women who have prepared for an orgasmic birth (read books, taken classes, mediated, yoga-ed, etc.) and do NOT have that experience? Would you say that orgamsic birth is what we "should" have or just that some women can have this experience?

    My 1st and 3rd births were what I believe were orgasmic (and to be fair, my 2nd was also, but going from 3-10 in 15 minutes and pushing out a baby in 2 minutes...only the last 2 minutes was ecstatic...the rest was like being dragged behind a frieght train and full speed). My first I did not know what to expect, but once I was pushing, it was AMAZING! I remember saying, "I would do that ten more times RIGHT NOW to have that same feeling!" I did not have an orgasm as I have experienced sexual orgasms, but I was never more powerful, never more high. Truly ecstatic and empowered.

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  2. If there was one thing a woman could do to prepare to make her birthing time orgasmic/ecstatic, what would that be?

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  3. What would you suggest to a doula to help her clients have orgasmic/ecstatic/transformative birth experiences?

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  4. I would like to ask why the focus is on orgasmic birth. My two births were incredibly, incredibly painful from start to finish - and frankly, the pain is what made my births so meaningful. I was incredibly proud of myself for getting through that kind of pain and not giving up and giving in to drugs. If I'd had a pleasurable and/or orgasmic birth experience, I don't think birth would have been as meaningful, empowering or transforming. Kind of "I'm a woman, and I am STRONG!" Thus, I would rather see films focusing on the strength of women and the transformative power of birth. Additionally, I think that the expectation of a pleasurable birth can set women up for a very nasty surprise when it doesn't happen. So - why do you think the concept of orgasmic birth is important? (This comment sounds negative, but as a matter of fact I LOVED the movie!!!)

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  5. What prompted you to choose the title Orgasmic Birth instead of something tamer like Ecstatic Birth, Peaceful Birth, etc? What sort of thoughts would you hope to stir up in people as they ponder the use of such a potentially debatable term as orgasmic birth?

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  6. Question: What would you tell women who have had a previous birth that was *not* orgasmic (or anything close) to help them prepare/try for a more enjoyable birth the next time around?

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  7. I would love a copy of this wonderful film to lend to my pregnant families.
    Pick Me : )

    Emme Corbeil CPM

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  8. Question: How much do you think the ability to have an orgasmic birth depends on WHERE the woman is giving birth? (e.g., could a woman have an orgasmic birth in a hospital that has extremely high intervention rates?)

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  9. (I hope I am doing this right, and that I'm allowed to have two entries!)

    I don't feel like my son's birth was orgasmic in the least. And I don't even feel like it was transformative. It changed me, but it was slow and minor...I think. I felt like I had my control taken away by the hospital (because of the doctor, IFM, feet in stirrups, etc.) I wasn't able to listen to my body and do what felt right and satisfying. I feel like I still NEED that orgasmic birth experience. That ecstatic birth experience. I actually have come to believe that all women NEED it. They need to have birth experiences that really impress them.

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  10. My question would be, what was your favorite part of making the movie? What was your favorite part *in* the movie?

    -Kathy

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  11. I just gave birth at home on November 20 to a beautiful baby girl. Here's the blog post where I tell the whole story and share photos:

    http://growingupsharp.blogspot.com/2009/11/susannahs-story-very-beginning.html

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  12. I have seen the film, and while I was dubious about the title at first, found it truly to be about normal birth as I understand it. Although there is one woman who is clearly experiencing a physical orgasm (I thought, who wouldn't, in that lovely tropical outdoor setting in a tub, etc.?) most of the women are clearly experiencing birth as I know it: intense, physical, emotional, and challenging in all ways.

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  13. I'm assuming we're allowed to enter more than once, but if not, just enter me once.

    Question: what do you know about how partners feel about birth when the mama felt it was orgasmic or ecstatic vs. when the mama found the experience traumatic?

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  14. My birth stories - none of which were orgasmic physically, all of which were orgasmic in the larger sense - are here:

    http://www.mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?t=176696&highlight=

    http://www.mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?t=455363&highlight=


    http://www.mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?t=1123940&highlight=

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  15. If old reviews are OK, here's a review I wrote of Orgasmic Birth when I first saw it last fall:

    http://phdoula.blogspot.com/2008/11/orgasmic-birth.html

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  16. And a question for Debra: Have you been able to be at screenings of the movie where more "conventional"/hospital-based care providers (OBs, nurses, etc.) attended, and if so what were their reactions? Or has anyone from the more mainstream maternity care world gotten in touch with you about this movie, and what have they said?

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  17. A question: What has been the most surprising reaction to the film? What is the most common?

    Thanks and good luck! I look forward to seeing it.

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  18. Debra, some argue that women are most able to get into the ideal birthing state of mind when in private or attended by low-profile women, do you feel that the presence of male partners contributes toward or detracts from a women's ability to have "ecstatic/orgasmic" births?

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  19. I've heard the story of how your movie got it's title, and understand that you couldn't get funding to make the movie without a shocking title. Do you think you would ever change the title in the future, or do you feel that the controversy over the title makes your movie more intriguing?

    I'm only asking because it has only been the title that has kept me from seeing the movie, and I'm sure I'm not the only one. Just very curious about your thoughts.

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  20. How are women reacting to this movie, specifically women that hospital birth? What are women saying who want the drugs/interventions/etc? Are they even seeing it, and if so, is it making them question standard OB practices?

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  21. Do you have any suggestions on how to let go and be open for birth?

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  22. i underwent considerable pressure in the hospital to go back to a flat on my back position during expulsion- some tactics didn't work (you'll get tired, your knees will be in pain, etc..)but one of the worse was the horrified look by the young intern who saw me naked, unshaved, on all fours on the bed.
    in spite of what my body told me, and my feminist mind shouting "what the f..., ignore him!!) i felt so inappropriate...
    the result was... an unconsented 3rd degree episiotomy by the same intern and months of unorgasmic sex, my boy is nearly 3 and only since last month am i able to have sex without having flashbacks or images of what happened.
    so here is my question, how do you think one could present this movie's title afraid of how sexual birth is?
    thanks rixa for the giveaway!
    Isabelle

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  23. I would love to have a copy of this movie both for myself and as part of my lending library to my clients.

    Interview questions as entry:
    1. What can a birth attendant do to help promote an ecstatic birth for her clients? (I of course already have a bunch of ideas on this one, but love to here more!)

    2. When interventions are needed (or, as in my fairly mainstream practice, merely wanted) how can we preserve a woman's ability to feel in control and in charge of her birth?

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  24. i will be having my first child this coming march. i have seen clips of this film and loved experiencing some other films: birth into being/ as we know it.
    i love being pregnant and look forward to the experience of childbirth without expectations one way or another. at the same time yoga, my desire to birth naturally and my partners trust in my process inform me to not fear childbirth so being loose and open seem right.

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  25. I had an overall orgasmic birth a few weeks ago. Two slow, restful days of early labor, a bit of a rough point during transition and pushing, but once that head was out it felt so good. I could actually feel his shoulders in the birth canal, and perhaps it just felt BETTER than the ring of fire but to me it felt nice, a major relief to be sure!

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  26. My question would be, "how can a fast and furious labor be made more enjoyable?". My second was only 45 minutes and while it was not particularly painful, I felt dragged along behind a fast moving train. I do think that there was ecstasy -- but it moved through so fast....

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  27. woups, i seam to have forgotten one part f the sentance, i meant 'so here is my question, how do you think one could present this movie's title to a maintsream caregiver who typially isn't confortable with how sexual birth is?'
    Thanks

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  28. I have yet to see the movie. I have had three birth's of my own, the first in a hospital with no complication's or intervention.... The next two at home with my wonderful midwife. I was hesitant at seeing the movie as the title deterred me from wanting to watch it. I by no mean's would describe birth as Orgasmic, it was amazing yes, powerful, the most earth/soul awaking experience... But I did not feel orgasmic. Thus I felt I was setting myself up for disappointment wanting to watch it while pregnant with baby #3. Afraid I would be a failure not being able to reach that "higher plain of pleasure" that the director was concluding from her title. Reading the review from you Rixa has made me want to watch it, and I am sure I will have many more questions to ask to the director beside the naming of her movie.... I hope if I do win, I will be able to share and open up the eyes of friends and some women I have met to the beautiful process that birth is.

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  29. This is a wonderful film, that could help women see the possibility of Birth not only being a safe and positive experience but also a pleasurable one. I would love to have a copy to share w/ others.

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  30. I really enjoyed this film, although I did wonder why it was called Orgasmic Birth;) But I understand the use of the title is to draw people into watching it.
    I reviewed it back in January. You can see my full review at http://www.dare-to-give-birth-naturally.com/orgasmic-birth.html

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  31. My question to her would be about the making of the film. What kind of issues/surprises did she run into? Did she begin with a specific script/direction that changed in the process? Did she feel that her crew/equipment, however discreet, effected the births she filmed? Hope I'm not too late.

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