Orgasmic Birth - Film By Debra Pascali-Bonaro

Orgasmic Birth is a documentary by filmmaker Debra Pascali-Bonaro that examines the intimate nature of birth, an everyday miracle, and the powerful role it plays in women’s lives when they are permitted to experience it fully. This documentary which intersperses expert commentary from doctors and midwives with footage of 11 women labouring – at home, in birthing centres and in hospitals, asks viewers to re-examine everything they thought they knew about giving birth and the potential it holds. The official website is http://www.orgasmicbirth.com.

Until now, I've never heard of giving birth being associated with anything other than the long wait, the excruciating unbearable pain, the screaming and yelling. Orgasmic? That's new to me. I've personally know relatives and friends who had given birth via C-section, natural birth and even giving birth in a cab, and all those were associated with pain, nothing sensual or pleasurable. But of course nothing beats the joy of bringing a baby into this world.

Pascali-Bonaro wants her movie to open up the possibilities to women to have a pleasurable experience when giving birth in environment where she feels undisturbed and not in the conventional hospital where they are hooked up to machines with doctors and nurses moving in and out. Pascali-Bonaro hopes her movie will inspire women to enjoy childbirth with freedom of movement during labor and using birthing balls, being upright, dimming the lights, a totally new experience.

Orgasmic Birth has had an international impact on the film festival circuit and was screened at the prestigious Rio de Janeiro International Film Festival; The Baltimore Women's Film Festival; Usti Film Festival in the Czech Republic; and Festival Caminhos in Portugal. Orgasmic Birth also won the Audience Choice Award at the 2008 Motherbaby International Film Festival in Bermuda.