Orgasmic Birth: The Best-Kept Secret

The main point of this documentary, is that if a woman gives birth naturally without medical intervention, she can indeed experience orgasm during the birthing process. It's explained that an orgasmic birth experience is possible, if nothing (such as drugs given to mothers in labor at hospitals) impedes the flow of a woman's hormones, that her body produces when she goes into labor. And these hormones, can produce powerful feelings of euphoria, which can lead to orgasms during labor and delivery.

Several women are shown going through natural childbirth at home, and at birthing centers. When they were interviewed, they gave glowing testimonials about their ecstatic birthing experiences, which included orgasms. Other women were interviewed, who had given birth in hospitals. None of these women who gave birth in hospitals, spoke of their birthing processes as being euphoric in any way.

Midwives were interviewed as well. And they emphasized that women should take back their right to give birth naturally, instead of having to do so in a hospital. The midwives also explained that the explosive increase of cesarean births, have been a direct result of induced expedited labor, which is customary when a woman has a baby at a hospital. And it's a fact that cesarean births, often result in serious complications, including the death of the mother, and/or child.

I think that all expectant mothers, should see this superlative documentary. Then they'll know that their childbearing experiences, can include ecstasy, instead of only pain.

I am thrilled with the new attention to birth in the media. Of the three recent films, Orgasmic Birth adds depth and beauty to the existing available media.

I have been a childbirth educator, doula, mother, etc. for over 25 years. Because of the technocratic methods of birth in my local hospitals and my lack of access to home births, I cherish the opportunity I have through Orgasmic Birth to witness totally undisturbed labor and birth. I've had faith that it existed but it has been hard to come by in the typical hospital births where I have assisted families.

Now that I have this video, I have been introducing undisturbed labor and birth to my birth classes. I waited a while because I was a bit nervous that it was too out of their reach. But then I began to feel guilty that I was depriving them of knowledge about birth that they should really have the option to choose. I wasn't worried, like some others, about the title. I don't understand how we can have 4 hour erections thrust at us on the TV and yet we giggle and sputter when the word orgasm comes up. Is erection more male and orgasm more female? The expectant parents who have seen the 3 births I choose to show don't have any problems with the births or the title. They immerse themselves in the beauty of the births.

I really REALLY appreciate the narrative in between the births. The speakers say to the parents so eloquently everything I want them to know about birth. The speakers are so passionate and knowledgeable that their messages come through loud and clear.

Orgasmic Birth is a treasure. It allows me to plant seeds of humanistic birth in the minds of my class participants. It empowers them to choose normal, undisturbed birth. It gives me hope for our future generations of attached, loving families. I thank all the parents who so generously allowed their births to be filmed, and to the creative genius that conceived (yes, a pun) the idea to really put orgasmic birth into the culture. I'm excited about the change this film will produce in people's lives, their births, and society in general. From my heart, thank you.

In summary, this film needs to be promoted so that everyone has a chance to see the beauty of birth.

This excellent film demonstrates what women can do. Women can give birth without excessive medical intervention including the epidural, IV, and episiotomy. In the film you see women in comfortable surroundings supported and cared for by skilled midwives that respect and trust the normal birth process and allow the women to birth in an undisturbed, safe environment. Are they all "orgasmic births"? No, but the message in the film is not about orgasms, but about reframing how we view birth. I applaud the film maker, Debra Pascali-Bonaro, for being so bold in giving the film this title - it could be why "Orgasmic Birth" is going to be featured on 20/20. Many women that I have told about the film Orgasmic Birth have stated that "they want one too"! A must see film.

Given the misinformation and many distortions that most Americans carry around in their heads about pregnancy and birth, it is crucial that more people see films like this one. It educates while absorbing the viewer in a wonderful maze of commentary and experiences about birth WITHOUT unnecessary medical interventions. Not only has medicalized birth created a "climate of doubt" that serves no one well, it has produced worsening outcomes from a purely medical standpoint. THis film will help viewers understand why bringing back physiologic birth is so important to enhancing such a life-changing moment as well as to improving the outcomes of births in this country (where we have a rather dismal track record in comparison to other countries in Europe, for ex.).

Orgasmic Birth takes a provocative look into the possibilities of what birth can be, not typical medical-model birthing, but normal, natural, even blissful birth. First-time filmmaker Debra Pascali-Bonaro has captured on film intimate and tender moments which offer us insight into the true nature of birth, and the creating of mothers, fathers, and families. As a midwife, doula, childbirth educator and the mother of five children myself, I highly encourage everyone to buy this film - and show it to your daughters! It will truly open your heart to what birth can and should be like - sensual, beautiful, empowering, and ecstatic.