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.

As a supporter of undisturbed birth, I've waited a long time for a film like this! Orgasmic Birth is much more than a film about how to experience pleasure in birth. It's about viewing birth as a natural bodily function, rather than an inherently dangerous, painful medical event that needs to be managed, controlled and medicated. It's about tapping into our own natural resources, instead of turning ourselves over to the medical establishment to "save" us from ourselves. Any natural bodily function proceeds best when it's done in privacy, and this is what the women in the film advocate. Unfortunately, most members of the medical profession pretend that birth isn't sexual, yet it involves the same hormones, organs and emotions as sex. When we recognize the inherent sexuality of childbirth, overcome our fears and inhibitions, and keep strangers away as much as possible, birth CAN be ecstatic if not orgasmic. It certainly was for me. I highly recommend this film, and know it is destined to change the way society views our most intimate act of creation. We do NOT have to choose between a medicated, medically managed birth and a painful, difficult "natural" one. There is a third choice and Debra Pascali-Bonaro has found it!

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.

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.).