The Business of Being Born: Reflection Paper on Birth Options

This reflection paper analyzes the documentary "The Business of Being Born," which explores the medicalization of childbirth in the United States. The assignment prompts students to formulate a personal opinion on birth options, considering home births, hospital births, and the influence of healthcare providers. Students are encouraged to integrate their classroom knowledge, textbook readings, and personal experiences to support their viewpoints. The paper requires at least one external reference and focuses on answering questions about the film's impact, personal opinions, and the role of nurses and midwives in maternal care, as well as advocating for women's birthing choices. The paper aims to help students critically examine the current practices of childbirth in the U.S. and develop their own philosophies regarding birth and healthcare.

The Business of Being Born Reflection Paper
Objectives:
1. Students will formulate a personal opinion about birthing options in the U.S.
2. Students will articulate their opinion in a clear and concise written paper.
3. Students will utilize current nursing literature, a textbook and the film to explain or justify their
personal opinion.
The Business of Being Born is a documentary, which explores the ways that childbirth is approached in
the United States. The film takes on the U.S. healthcare system and the trend towards “medicalizing”
the normal process of birth. This film is considered by many to be controversial as it proposes a distinct
change from current practice. As you watch the film, you are encouraged to do so with an open mind.
Think about what you have learned in the classroom and how it is either similar or different from what
the movie portrays. You are expected to thoughtfully reflect on the movie and formulate an opinion or
personal philosophy about birth.
You are expected to write a reflective paper, which captures your thoughts about the movie as well as
your personal opinion or philosophy about birth. This paper should not exceed 2 pages (not including
reference page), should be double spaced, and use size 12 fonts. The following questions should be
considered as you reflect, but the paper should be written in paragraph form and not simply answer the
questions. These questions are intended only to help you think through your thoughts. Remember –
there is no right or wrong philosophy; it is all about your explanations and justifications. You will need
to have at least one reference in your paper, other than your textbook and the movie, and it must be
written using proper APA reference citations. You should write this paper in the first person.
Questions to Consider:
1. What was your overall impression of the movie?
2. Have your opinions or views of childbirth and pregnancy in the US changed? If so, how? If not,
why?
3. How do the topics covered in this film relate to what you are learning in class, have personal
experience with, or reading in your textbook?
4. Do you think that home birth is a safe option? Do you think it is possible to have natural birth in
a hospital?
5. How might healthcare workers influence a woman’s choice of birth options – either favorably or
unfavorably?
6. How did the information presented in this video impact your view of the role of nurses and
midwives in the care of pregnant women?

7. Were you surprised by any of the information in this film? How might it impact your professional
or personal life?
8. Who should be responsible for ensuring that women receive the health care and birth that they
desire?
9. How might we advocate for women as they consider their birthing options? Are women today
educated regarding their options?