Press release
From Start From Seed
One Night Only: Start from Seed is pleased to announce a special pre-release screening of acclaimed documentary film, BIRTH STORY: INA MAY GASKIN AND THE FARM MIDWIVES
Ferguson Auditorium – AB-Tech, Asheville NC
Saturday, April 6
5:30 p.m.- Reception and Exhibits
6:30 p.m. to 9:15 p.m.- Film screening and panel discussion after with Ina May and Stephen Gaskin
BIRTH STORY captures a spirited group of women who taught themselves how to deliver babies on a 1970s hippie commune, rescued modern midwifery from extinction, and changed the way a generation thought about childbirth. Today, as nearly one-third of all U.S. babies are born via C-section, they labor on, fighting to preserve their knowledge and pushing, once again, for the rebirth of birth. With incredible access to the midwives’ archival video collection, the film not only captures the unique sisterhood at The Farm Clinic, but shows childbirth the way most people have never seen it–unadorned, unabashed, and awe-inspiring.
Ina May Gaskin, CPM, has been called “the most famous midwife in the world,” and is the founder and director of The Farm Midwifery Center in Tennessee, and the author of four books, including the wildly popular Spiritual Midwifery. Ina May is a Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) by the North American Registry of Midwives, and also certified by the state of Tennessee. In Ina May’s new book, Birth Matters, The Farm Midwifery Center’s report from 1970 to 2010 states that there were 2844 pregnancies and labors on The Farm during that time with 2,694 births at home, 148 transports to the hospital. Their statistics include: 0 percent rate of cesarean birth for breech babies, a 96.8 percent rate of VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean), 0 percent maternal mortality and morbidity, and 1.7 percent neonatal mortality rate (compared to a range of 9.5 percent in 1970 to 7 percent in 2010 in the US).
BIRTH STORY premiered at the 2012 LA Film Festival and won the prestigious Audience Award.
“A disarming example of documentary filmmaking that stakes out an opinion with plain-spoken, commonsensical wisdom” (Variety, Aug 6, 2012)
“…An incredible story…heart-stopping.” (Matt Holzman, KCRW)
Start From Seed is a non-profit organization that provides birth and postpartum doula services and childbirth education to low income women throughout Buncombe County. This is a benefit screening for Start From Seed and all profits will go back to the program so we can continue to do the work we love.
DATE: Saturday, April 6 2013
LOCATION & TIME- Ferguson Auditorium, AB-Tech campus- 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
TICKETS: $25- Sold in Asheville at Flora, West Asheville or online- Birthstoryasheville.eventbrite.com
A post-screening discussion on maternal health issues will follow the film and be led by Ina May and Stephen Gaskin. Proceeds from tickets sales to benefit Start from Seed 501c3
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