Orgasmic Birth: The Best-Kept Secret

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.

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.

Let me preface this review by giving my background.

I'm a 23 year old male nurse who has a fair amount of experience with the process of childbirth and labor. I've sat through actual births before and given support to new mothers. I am by no means bothered or queasy about the process of birth.

And yet, this was one of the most disturbing movies i've seen in my life. It's not the process of child birth, it's the eerie level of intimacy which surrounds the entire movie. There's lots of footage of cuddly couples to be which in the context presented, comes off to me as voyeuristic. It's being given an uncomfortably close look at the lives of new mothers.

There's plenty of educational value to this film, and i'd have no qualms with recommending this movie to the intended audience. But for every male in my age demographic who has their girlfriend present this movie to them, expect a night of awkward cuddling without any real satisfaction.

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 first viewed Orgasmic Birth last June at a screening for professionals in Portland Oregon. I watched it as a doula, a mother and a mentor and it both overjoyed me and saddened me. The missing piece of our modern birth practice is pleasure, and mention the word...eyes roll and the sarcasm starts. Orgasmic Birth shows real birth settings, real women and men, and it serves to encourage, enlighten and educate in a positive way...to counter the negatives we see in popular culture and in the news so frequently. I ask all my clients to watch Orgasmic Birth, even, and especially, the ones who are birthing in a hospital setting, so they can see the organic process take place and balance their fears with the truth...birth can be beautiful, peaceful and fulfilling. Thank you for this beautifully made film.