Newswise — WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 21, 2015) — American University’s School of Communication announced today the premiere of a new documentary The Mama Sherpas on May 27, 2015 at the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica, CA. The premiere will be followed by regional, VOD and DVD releases. The Mama Sherpas provides an intimate glimpse into the collaboration practices between midwives and doctors, and the changing of birth perceptions nationwide. Award-winning filmmaker Brigid Maher, associate professor of film and media arts at American University School of Communication, teamed with two prominent maternal rights advocates to share this documentary with the public, Ricki Lake and Abby Epstein executive produced the documentary.
Maher's new film, The Mama Sherpas, is a powerful examination of the collaboration between nurse-midwives, mothers and doctors during the entire birthing process. It's the culmination of a journey, with her closely following four midwifery care providers: George Washington Hospital Medical Faculty Associates in D.C.; Baystate Midwifery and Women's Health in Springfield, Massachusetts; Physicians & Midwives in Alexandria, Virginia; and Sutter Davis Hospital Birthing Center in Yolo County, California.
Maher was inspired during her first pregnancy after having an unplanned Cesarean section and not fully understanding the associated risks for mother and baby. For her second child, she chose to deliver with a midwifery practice in a Washington, D.C. hospital where she naturally gave birth to a 9 pound 10 ounce, healthy, baby girl. "I just found the whole process so inspiring, and I realized my own naiveté and ignorance on the subject of childbirth," said Maher.
This topical new documentary examines a growing shift in the birthing industry: the rise of Caesarean sections. With C-section rates dangerously over 30 percent in America, the film raises the question, are midwives the solution? In recent years, the idea of a “collaborative care” practice where doctors and midwives manage women’s care together has begun to gain traction. Research has demonstrated that collaborative care models produce better outcomes for mother and baby, including fewer C-sections.
This moving film provides an intimate lens into how midwives across the country work within and better the hospital system, redefining how the U.S. looks at the birthing process. “We were thrilled to discover Brigid Maher's film The Mama Sherpas which enriches the conversation around birth choices that The Business of Being Born started in 2008,” said Lake and Epstein. “It is a privilege for us to serve as Executive Producers on this moving tribute to modern midwifery. We know that this film will help to educate and enlighten future generations of expectant parents on a more humanistic and family-centered approach to having babies.”
"I'm humbled and honored to have Abby and Ricki come on board as executive producers," said Maher. "Their 2008 film The Business of Business Born had a groundbreaking impact on how women made choices around birth and inspired me to tell the story of hospital midwives who are working to bring the C-section rate down through their women based approach. With this documentary we hope to guide the public into a deeper understanding of midwives and influence public health policy and practice for the better."
The American College of Nurse Midwives awarded The Mama Sherpas with the ACNM 2015 Media Award to be given at the 60th Annual Meeting & Exhibition in June. The documentary will be shown at the meeting and was chosen based on the film’s positive portrayal of nurse-midwives and what they bring to the birthing process in the hospital system. Maher and the midwives who participated in the documentary will be present to answer any questions and hear feedback after the film’s screenings.
The Mama Sherpas will be distributed by BOND/360 as continued support of Lake/Epstein collaborations and the expansion of The Business of Being Born franchise. For additional information, please visit the film's website www.themamasherpas.com; connect on Facebook (facebook.com/TheMamaSherpas) and on Twitter @MamaSherpas.
RSS