Premiere Screening of MICROBIRTH in Manila

Yesterday was the premiere screening of MICROBIRTH by the Gentle Birth Philippines group at Beyond Yoga, Greenhills.

"MicroBirth is a new feature-length documentary looking at birth in a whole new way; through the lens of a microscope. The film investigates the latest scientific research that is starting to link the way babies are born with health in later life, particularly the increased risk of children developing certain immune-related conditions, including asthma, type 1 diabetes, celiac (coeliac) disease, obesity, cardio-vascular diseases, mental health disorders and even some cancers."  - www.microbirth.com

My darling doula, Irina Otmakhova, purchased the film so that she can help spread the knowledge in our country. We hope to make a difference in the alarmingly high c-section rates in the Philippines. At present it is about 30% (I suspect more because when I hear my friends give birth in the hospital, most of them end up with a CS) when the accepted numbers are only 5-15%. 

Why does it matter? 

Because the seeding of the important microbiome happens during childbirth, specifically during the passage of the baby from the mother's vaginal canal. Read on...

The purpose of the documentary is to raise public awareness of the importance of “seeding the baby’s microbiome” at birth with the mother’s own bacteria – this bacteria helps train the immune system to recognise what is “friend” and what is “foe”. We believe “seeding of the baby’s microbiome” should be on every birth plan – for even if vaginal birth isn’t possible, immediate skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding can still help to provide bacteria crucial to the development of the baby’s immune system. In the scientists’ view, if we can get the seeding of the baby’s microbiome right at birth, this could make a massive difference to the baby’s health for the rest of its life."                - www.oneworldbirth.net

It is interesting to note that c-sections occur much more with families who can afford it. 

Three yogi mommies unite in promoting homebirths in Manila! Monica Luna is to my right with her daughter, Willow. Mon was my batchmate in yoga teacher training back in 2009. Last year, when I was studying everything-I-could-get-my-hands-on--homebirths, she was one of my valuable resource persons because she was successful with hers just a few months before mine! She also recommended her midwife, Deborah Gustafson to me. To my left is Aisa Winternitz, who is currently on maternity leave from Yoga+ because she just gave birth to her son Kainoa at home in the water, just as she envisioned it. Bravo, little yogini! :)

Last group shot before we called it a night. Thank you for supporting this event, gentle birth warriors! May we continue to spread seeds of consciousness to make a real impact in the births of the Filipina. Every woman counts, every child counts, every birth counts! As Ibu Robin Lim says, "Let's save the world, one birth at a time".

Missed this film screening? Join on our Facebook page to get updates on our next gathering. We plan to show the documentary again in a bigger venue to include the medical community because we need to get the doctors and nurses involved if we care about the health of humanity!

We are open to hear your thoughts and suggestions!