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Recommendations by Birth Balance

Videotapes - Water Related

The Art of Birth

The story of four gentle births in water [PAL: Australian & European format] This new Australian video explores the beauty and emotion surrounding gentle birth in water. Four births are included - two in a birth centre and two at home. Each set of parents introduce their story then enable us to accompany them on this voyage of discovery as their babies are gently welcomed to the world. A wonderfully uplifting exploration of natural birth.

To order: www.acegraphics.com.au/product/video/vt102.html

Aquatic Ape (Homo-Delphinus)

This video looks at Sir Alistair Hardy's notion that human ancestors were aquatic apes. Elaine Morgan, a Welsh writer, has written two books on this theory, which became buried in a conspiracy of silence by thosewho were totally opposed to such a notion. In 1992 a Summer Science Symposium in England brought together many authorities from a variety of disciplines--including Elaine Morgan, Dr. Michael Odent and Sir David Attenborough. This is their report, which was broadcast on British TV. Produced by Estelle Myer, Miracle Productions International. NTSC.

To order email: Estelle Myer

Aqualight, Introducing Babies to Water

By BirthLight. This video introduces an original approach to swimming with babies. Developed by Dr. Francoise Freedman of Birthlight, she draws on her skills as a swimmer, anthropologist, yoga teacher and birther. This promotes an holistic approach to birth, through transformations of pregnancy, birth and early parenting, 2000 (30 minutes)

To order contact: www.bluelight.com

Bathtub Babies, Volume 1, Birth to 4 months, Make your Family Bathtime Family Bonding Time!

By Vera Garibaldi (Waterbabies Aquatic Program), Bathtub Babies is intended to give all the skills you need to introduce your new baby to the water safely and confidently. The techniques included are ideally used from birth to 4 months and can easily be transferred from the bath to the pool. (20 minutes, 2000)

To order contact: www.waterbabies.net

Baby Water Play (The Rainbow Dolphin Center)

This video demonstrates the progress of young babies and their moms as they learn the joys of waterplay together over several months. Personally filmed by Estelle Myers in Moscow during a visit to meet Igor Charkovsky in 1985. Filmed exactly how it unfolded, we see Igor, the parents and babies using water for birth, exercise and training for global peace. NTSC. (30 min.)

To order email: Estelle Myer

Birth Day (with Naoli Vinaver Lopez and Family)

Naoli Vinaver is a native Mexican patera (midwife) who gives birth with only her husband helping. This video is the birth of Tamaya Okumura Vinaver, filmed on location in Xalapa, Mexico in the spring of1999. It was originally made for the Boston Museum of Science's 'Reproductive Exhibit'. Naoli beautifully narrates her labor, birth and early post-partum. The descriptions of her contracting belly are like poetry, as we watch her pick fresh herbs from her garden, serve lunch and then surrender to her labor in the Japanese-stylebath tub. The older children watch and then join their new sister and parents in the tub. This video is short, but very powerful in communicating the power and beauty of home waterbirth. (2000) Available in NTSC and PALand English PAL with German Subtitles. (10 min.)

Also Available: Dia de Nacimiento (2000)

The Spanish Language version of Birth Day.
Filmed on location in Mexico, with Naoli Viniver, Mexican midwife, narrating in her native Spanish. You can't ask for a better translation. Also available in English with German Subtitles

To order contact: Homebirth Videos

Birth Into Being: The Russian Waterbirth Experience

Russian Spiritual Midwife, Tatyana Sargunas and her filmmaker husband Alexei, recorded five totally natural, incredible waterbirths. This video takes you on a breathtaking expedition to witness families birthing in the Black Sea, and into their home to see the birth of their own babies in a handmade clear birthing pool. The video shows amazing scenes of children and babies swimming with dolphins. Barbara Harper, world renowned water birth expert and author, and Russian-born visionary Elena Tonetti brought this footage to the US to share with parents and professionals. It is inspiring, entertaining, and deeply moving. It will challenge you to look at birth in a different light. The music of Paul Winter leads you on an emotional journey through awesome birth scenes. A culmination of a ten-year project of joint cooperation between The Centre of Parents' Culture "AQUA", Moscow, Russia, and Waterbirth International, Portland, Oregon, USA. NTSC. (25 min.)

To order contact: Injoy Videos

Born In The Water, A Sacred Journey (2001)

By Andaluz Waterbirth Center. A beautiful collection of seven waterbirths from the Andaluz Waterbirth Center and also includinga home waterbirth attended by midwife, Jennifer Gallardo. The Center footage is located in Guatemala and Oregon. Witness women give birth without interventions as they reclaim their power as a bearer of life and bring their children into the world with gentleness and wisdom.

To Order contact: www.waterbirth.net or call 1-877-885-0228

Born In the U.S.A., A Documentary About Childbirth In America

By Marcia Jarmal and Ken Schneider. This video explores the landscape of maternity care through the eyes of three caregivers: an obstetrician working at a teaching hospital, a licensed midewife attending home births and a certified nurse-midwife bridging both worlds in an urban, free-standing birth center, 2000. (56 min.)

To order contact: www.fanlightproductions.com

Born To Be Loved

Photographer Shin has confirmed this by displaying the remarkable collection of families, husbands and midwives who are somewhere in the corner of the scene. The people who appear here do not pretend how they are to show their ecstasy. Their faces say it all. If only these scenes could be repeated elsewhere, it could be a greatly happier occasion to welcome a new member of family. When partners participate in birth process, family tie becomes stronger. Shin's contribution is immeasurable in this sense. To consolidate the whole debate of births from men's point of view, this video will certainly attract more young fathers to be and matured men alike. VHS(NTSC) or CD. (25 min.)

To order contact: LEMITON

Channel for a New Life:
The Outdoor Waterbirth of Carsten Noble Sorger (1988)

This video shows the outdoor water birth of Carsten Noble Sorger with parents Elizabeth Noble, childbirth educator, and Leo Sorger, obstetrician. A captivating, spontaneous waterbirth in a beautiful, natural setting. Produced by Joan Sawyer. New Life Images, Maternal and Child Health Center, 2464 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge MA 02140 (617) 864-9343. NTSC. (37 min.)

To order email: Elizabeth Noble

A Clear Road To Birth

By Judy Seaman. Overcoming the commonly held fear that birth is inherently dangerous, five women have their babies without a docotor or midwife. The results are spectacular. Two waterbirths are shown, 2000. (57 minutes)

To order: www.keyframeediting.com

Enlightened Pregnancy With Water Birth

This video is a reflection of Dr. Cole's beginning research and implementation of the use of water for labor and birth. Produced by Dr. Ronald L. Cole, MD. Contact number: 281-422-2229, Baytown, Texas, USA. NTSC. (29:52 min.)

To order contact: Birth and Healing Beyond

Gentle Birth Choices (1993)

This video is based on Barbara Harper's new book, Gentle Birth Choices. The film is a beautiful blend of six actual births (different positions and locations, which include waterbirth, squatting, VBAC, and home birth) and interviews with couples, midwives, and physicians. This exciting video brilliantly demonstrates the power of women during childbirth and exposes the common misbeliefs that many couples and medical practitioners hold about the birth process.

Also Available: Opciones para un parto suave (2000)

The Spanish video version of Gentle Birth Choices.
Actual voice over in Spanish. Professionally done and recorded with native speakers. 47 minutes

To order either contact: Global Maternal/Child Health Association

Guide to Water Birth

This video is an account of a woman's experience of labor and delivery in water. It also describes in detail the process of setting up such a facility within the hospital environment. It will serve equally well as a guide to both health professionals and women who are interested in exploring the concept of water immersion during labor and delivery. Written and presented by Ethel Burns. John Radcliffe Maternity Hospital, Oxford, England. University of Oxford, 1993. NTSC. (11:30 min.)

To order contact: Global Maternal/Child Health Association

How to Prepare for a Safe and Easy Waterbirth

This video is presented by Dr. Gowri Motha, an obstetrician who has innovated a preparation programme for couples contemplating a water birth. Dr. Motha has pioneered water birth in London hospitals since 1987. The couples interviewed on this video were followed throughout their pregnancy, birth and post natal phase. An excellent video that teaches you everything you want to know about the preparation needed for water birth in an easy-to-understand way. Produced by Dr. Gowri Motha and David Wachs. Directed by David Wachs, Hot Wachs Productions, 16 High Street, Kings Langley, Herts WD4 8BH, England. (58:11 min.)

Managing Pain In Childbirth: The effects of the Bath In Labor, speaker, Janet Rush, RN,MS, PH.D. (Global Maternal/Child Health Association, 2000)

This presentation was made during the Waterbirth 2000 Conference in Portland, Oregon. Janet Rush documents the multi-dimensional and subjective experience of pain and presents the results of a recent randomized controlled trial of the effects of the bath in labor. (54 minutes.)

To order contact: www.waterbirth.org

Kelly's Birth

Assisted by her husband, midwife and Doula, Kelly has a water birth. Kelly uses a variety of coping techniques before entering the tub. Includes incredible shots of the birth under water. (10 min.)

To order contact: InJoy Videos Online

The Perils and Pitfalls of Initiating Waterbirth at OHSU, Portland, Oregon, speaker, Polly Malby, CNM, MSN (Global Maternal/Child Health Association, 2000)

This presentation was made during the Waterbirth 2000 Conference in Portland, Oregon. Polly Malby discusses the process that was used to obtain support for starting a waterbirth program. All concerned departments in the university hospital setting were involved in the process, which included obtaining signed letters of agreement form physicians. (33 minutes.)

To order contact: www.waterbirth.org

The Safety of Waterbirth: Convincing Colleagues, speaker, Mark Albini, M.D. OB/GYN (Global Maternal/Child Health Association, 2000)

This presentation was made during the Waterbirth 2000 Conference in Portland, Oregon. Dr. Mark Albini discusses the data he used to convince his colleagues at St. Mary's Hospital, Waterbury, Conn., that waterbirth was safe and a valid modality for birthing families.. (33 minutes.)

To order contact: www.waterbirth.org

Series: Waterbirth Tapes: By Birth Balance, 1 hour to 2 hour segment

Click here to view archive lisiting

Sterile Water Papules, Relief for Back Pain in Labor

By Gertrude L. Welsh, CNM, MS, 2000. (8 minutes)

To order: pollyp@pwshift.com

Swimming With Babies

By BirthLight, Swimming with babies shows an original approach to swimming with very young children. Developed by Dr. Francoise Freedman of Birthlight, she draws on her skills as a swimmer, anthropologist, yoga teacher and birther, 1998. (12 minutes)

To order: www.bluelight.com

Use of Water for Labor and Birth

This video explores the therapeutic use of water during the labor and birth of two families. It illustrates the individuality of homebirths and provides an outline for the basic concepts of the use of water. Narrated and produced by Marina Alzugaray CNM, a midwife since 1981 who has attended numerous water labors and births, and has been doing research on human dolphin interaction since 1984. The narrative emphasizes the importance of each woman's instinctive knowing, family's involvement, and midwive's care. NTSC. (25 min.)

To order contact: Marina Alzugaray

Water and Birth

An inspirational video for parents and midwives interested in using a waterpool for labor and birth. Discusses the natural approach of choosing to labor and give birth in or near to water, featuring the births of three different women. By Janet Balaskas, Active Birth Videos, produced by Amy Hardie, and birth filmed by Gena Nacche.

To order contact: The Active Birth Centre (link may be down)

Water Babies: Aquatic Experience in Ostend

Water Babies: the Aquanatal experience in Ostend

This video reveals the amazing work of a dedicated group of water birth practitioners, parents, and aquanatal instructors in a state hospital in Ostend, Belgium. Filmed in 1994, we see what is now the world's leading Aquatic Maternity Center, where couples spend time preparing for birth in aquatic prenatal classes, giving birth in water and returning their newborns into the quatic environment for swim training, fun and bonding. Produced by Jade Productions, Brussels, Belgium. NTSC. (28 min.)

To order contact: Global Maternal/Child Health Association

Water Baby: Experiences of Water Birth (1986)

The original breakthrough waterbirth documentary, and very comprehensive in its scope, The WATER BABY video provides in-depth information on the use of water for labor, birth, and early childhood development. Filmed in the USA, France and Russia with the world's leading experts in the field, (Michael Rosenthal, MD, in California, Michel Odent, MD, in France, and researcher Igor Charkovsky in Russia) it features water birth moms and dads discussing their personal birth experiences and includes four waterbirths, in home, hospital and birth center settings, and lots more. Written, produced, directed and edited by Karil Daniels, Point of View Productions, 2477 Folsom St. San Francisco, CA 94110. NTSC. (57 min.)

To order email: Karil Daniels

Water Birth on ABC-TV's 20/20 (1994)

Judith Halek, director of Birth Balance, was instrumental in initiating 2 stories on 20/20. These two segments, nine months apart, reflect the pros and cons of this alternative method of therapy. Two segments. (25 min.)

To order contact: Birth Balance

Water Immersuion During Labor, An Evaluative Study, speaker, Ethel Burns PGDip, DPSM, RM,RN (Global Maternal/Child Health Association, 2000)

This presentation was made during the Waterbirth 2000 Conference in Portland, Oregon. Ethel Burns discusses 10 years of the use of water for labor at John Radcliffe Maternity Center in Oxfor, England, where more than 2300 mothers use the bath and 1400 birth in water. (45 minutes.)

To order contact: www.waterbirth.org

Waterbirth Data From St. Elizabeth's Hospital, Red Bluff, California: 1994-1999, speaker, Lynn Springer, RNC, BSN (Global Maternal/Child Health Association, 2000)

This presentation was made during the Waterbirth 2000 Conference in Portland, Oregon. Lynn Springer discusses the experiences of 430 women who labored and birthed in water at the first hospital in California to offer this program. (25 minutes.)

To order contact: www.waterbirth.org

Waterbirths, Mater Natura Clinic

By Dr. Adailton Salvatore Meira, MD, OBGYN.A rough edit of a few underwater births by Dr. Meira in Campinas, Brazil. Language, Portuguese, 2000. (14 minutes.)

To order: salvatore@terra.com.br

Water Born

Three home waterbirths, attended by families and friends, captured on video and presented here by Melanie Moore, CPM. Fathers and siblings are actively present at births as mothers catch their own babies underwater and cradle them during the first moments of life. There is a lot of cutting chords and suctioning. Be prepared. 30 minutes in length.

To order contact: click here