Those of us clients and friends of The Midwife Center understand its value first-hand and know how lucky we are to have access to an independent midwife practice. Now that the United States has the second worst newborn death rate in the developed world as more and more medical interventions during birth become commonplace, our center is even more precious. Ricki Lake’s response to this crisis in birth was to produce a documentary film about birth titled The Business of Being Born. Please join us for a special screening of this powerful film at Waterworks Cinema in Aspinwall the morning of Saturday, October 4, 2008. The schedule for the morning is as follows: bagels and coffee will be available beginning at 9:30 a.m., a welcome and introduction to the film at 10:15 a.m., and the moving screening at 10:30 a.m. From the producers: Birth is a miracle, a rite of passage, a natural part of life. But birth is also big business. Compelled to explore the subject after the delivery of her first child, actress Ricki Lake recruits filmmaker Abby Epstein to question the way American women have babies. The film interlaces intimate birth stories with surprising historical, political and scientific insights and shocking statistics about the current maternity care system. When director Epstein discovers she is pregnant during the making of the film, the journey becomes even more personal. Should most births be viewed as a natural life process, or should every delivery be treated as a potentially catastrophic medical emergency? If you haven’t seen the film, you don’t want to miss it. Even if you have seen the film, please consider joining us for this event and inviting that friend you’ve been meaning to tell about the center. More women need to see that there is another way – this film will make it crystal clear. Tickets are just $10.00 each and may be purchased at The Midwife Cetner. All proceeds support The Midwife Center for Birth & Women’s Health. 923 Freeport Rd. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania