Face of Birth

Where the personal gets political

The two-year period in which the film was made has seen huge changes to maternity care and home birth; it is a very exciting time to be following this issue. In Australia, it is almost impossible to choose a home birth. In fact, in 2009, it almost became illegal.

The most important factor is choosing where, and with whom, to give birth is: where do you feel most safe, supported and cared for. For some women that is having a doctor down the corridor and being next to a machine that goes 'ping'.

For others it is in their own home with a midwife who has led their care for the last 9 months. This film explores this choice, from both sides of the debate.

The Co-Director Kate Gorman has two daughters and she realised that in 20 years' time her children may not be able to choose a home birth, even if they wanted to. She wrote them a heart-felt letter offering them all the information and advice that she could find to help them make empowering choices. This letter became the film.

Every birth story is unique, because it is the start of someone's life story.

Face of Birth website

Screening Dates

Monday, 12 March 2012 – screening with panel discussion with director
4-6pm
Fraternity Club – 11 Bourke Street, Fairy Meadow
$15/$10concession
Online sales now closed - tickets available at the door

Friday, 16 March 2012 – screening only
7:30pm
Younga Yoga Studio – 5 Thomas St, Wollongong (opposite Ibis Hotel)
$10/$7.50concession
Online sales now closed - tickets available at the door

3 years in the making, filmed across the globe from London to Alice Springs,

The Face Of Birth is a moving documentary with vital information to help sort out fact from fiction around the politics, risks, safety and fear in birth. “Home birth. It continues to amaze me how impassioned people become when discussing this topic,” Gavin Banks, one of the director producers of the film stated. “Yet very few people know much about it, or those who choose it - and why. Regardless, almost everyone has an opinion about the right or wrong way to give birth. Some argue that caesarean section is the modern way, while others are convinced that their baby would have died had they not been in hospital. In opposition to these beliefs, a growing minority maintain that home is the safest place to have a baby. But who, if anyone, is right? And upon what evidence do they base their claims?” ?

Over 25 of the world top birth experts were interviewed, including the famed Sheila Kitzinger author of over 26 books on pregnancy and childbirth; and the founder of modern midwifery in the USA, Ina May Gaskin. Australian experts include: Dr Rupert Sherwood, president of RANZCOG ( Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynecology) who doesn’t support home birth; and pro home birth obstetricians Euan Wallace and Andrew Bisits, both doctors have started up hospital-run home birth pilot programs.

Get a chance to talk to one of the directors! Face of Birth premieres in the Illawarra on Monday, 12 March. Attendees will get a chance to watch the movie and then ask questions of a panel of local experts and Gavin Banks, who has made time to be in attendance for this important event.

Beautifully shot and openly revealing, The Face Of Birth tells about all the things we never knew about birth and the power of choice.