A must-see movie for anyone even thinking about having a baby! You will never look at giving birth the same way again.

To watch a preview, click the link in the left margin entitled Trailer: "The Business of Being Born"

Just released in theaters January 2008. Available to rent through Netflix February 26, 2008. Available for purchase May 6.

"We have a secret in our culture and it's not that birth is painful. It's that women are strong." Laura Stavoe Harm

“In any society the way a woman gives birth and the kind of care given to her and the baby points as sharply as an arrowhead to the key values of the culture.” Sheila Kitzinger, Women as Mothers

"If we are to make real progress in providing primary and preventive care and in reducing infant mortality rates, we must broaden our provider base by encouraging the growth of midwifery." Dr. Charles Mahan, State Health Officer & Florida Deputy Secretary for Health, Associated Press, Oct. 1993.

All proceeds will be donated to non-profit organizations

Saturday, February 23, 2008

10:00 a.m.

Hope Covenant Church (inside the Grand Cities Mall); 1601 17th Ave S; Grand Forks, ND

Admission: Free will donation

Q & A session from members of the local birthing community will follow the screening

Men encouraged to attend, as well.

Nursing babies welcome

All proceeds will be donated to local non-profit organizations dedicated to babies, children, mothers, and families.

Thursday, February 7, 2008

6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Audubon Room; Minot State University Student Union; Minot, ND

Q & A session from members of the local birthing community will follow the screening

Men encouraged to attend, as well.

Nursing babies welcome

Brian Briggs, M.D.

As a physican, Dr. Briggs attended births at the former St. Joseph's Hospital in Minot, ND. He also attended homebirths. He currently practices independently in alternative medicine.

Paulette Efimenko, Direct-Entry Midwife

(701) 263-4126

Paulette has been attending homebirths as a midwife for 25 years. As an autonomous midwife, Paulette’s responsibility is to the families she serves. Additionally, she is a herbologist and natural healer. She is a mother of two children, a son and a daughter.

Mary Graner, Retired Independent Childbirth Educator

Mary taught childbirth education for 10 years in Minot, ND. She was also a La Leche League Leader for 10 years. She has been married to her husband, Marty, for 40 years. They have nine children; some born at the hospital and the others born at home. Grandchild number 20 and 21 are on their way.

Jody McLaughlin, Maternity Care Reform Advocate

Jody@Minot.com www.compleatmother.com

Jody grew-up on a farm in south-central North Dakota. Since 1990, she has published The Compleat Mother: the magazine of pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding. She too is a retired La Leche League Leader. She and her husband, Tim, have two daughters and a granddaughter.

Christine Mehl, Doula and Independent Childbirth Educator

(701) 412-5088 jjcmehl@msn.com www.geocities.com/mamabeginnings

As a doula, Christine has assisted dozens of families during labor, birth, and the postpartum period. She serves families at the hospital or at midwife attended homebirths. She and her husband co-lead a parenting support group for Attachment Parenting International. Christine also holds a degree in Public Health. She was born at home in The Netherlands. Christine and her husband have three children, who were each born in water at home.