Documentary Explores Sensual Nature of Birth
Audiences around the world are cheering Orgasmic Birth, a documentary film by internationally respected childbirth educator, doula, and birth activist Debra Pascali-Bonaro that asks: What would happen if women were taught to enjoy birth rather than endure it?
Five years in the making, Orgasmic Birth challenges cultural myths by revealing the emotional, spiritual, and physical heights attainable through birth. Viewers witness the passion of birth as women give birth in unhurried, non-medicalized settings—including hospital birth centers—where they feel supported and safe.
The film, recently shown at the prestigious Rio de Janeiro International Film Festival, will be featured this fall on ABC-TV’s news magazine “20/20”.
Birthing experts who provide commentary in the film include women’s health advocate and bestselling author Christiane Northrup, MD; Marsden Wagner, MD, MS, former director of Women’s and Children’s Health for the World Health Organization; and other leaders in the field. They explain that a pleasurable birth is an integral part of women’s sexuality and a neglected human right.
Orgasmic Birth had its world premiere on May 16, 2008 at the fifth annual World Respected Childbirth Week conference in Prague, Czech Republic. The United States premiere was held in Cleveland, Ohio, on May 18, followed by screenings in more than a dozen states, with many still to come. The film is being shown across Europe, Mexico, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan, Israel, and more.
The DVD, subtitled in French, German, Spanish, and Portuguese, has a remarkable score by John McDowell, who wrote the music for the Oscar-winning documentary Born Into Brothels. Copies of the DVD and original soundtrack CD are now available through the website, www.orgasmicbirth.com. DVDs and CDs continue to be sold for screening events at universities and for other educational uses, facilitated by the site’s comprehensive Screening Planner.