"Birth Story: Ina May Gaskin & the Farm Midwives" directed by Sara Lamm & Mary Wigmore

I met with the legendary midwife Ina May Gaskin a few years back while researching US stories for "No Woman, No Cry.” I had first discovered her while pregnant and exploring natural childbirth and she is truly a pioneer in modern day midwifery. I later learned that she had become a leader in another birth-related movement, the movement to prevent maternal mortality here in the United States. Ina May has made it her life's work to offer literally thousands of women and families a safe, supported and empowering birth experience for decades. In the early 1990’s, Ina began collecting stories about women who had lost their lives during or following childbirth in the US.  In honor of these mothers and their memory she started the Safe Motherhood Quilt Project. This quilt is a chilling reminder that women continue to die in childbirth in this country, many of which are preventable, needless losses of life. The quilt has also brought many of the families together, many of whom are actively advocating to improve maternity care for others.
 
“Birth Story" is a new feature-length documentary film about Ina May's life and work on the Farm Midwifery Center in Summertown, Tennessee, directed by Sara Lamm and Mary Wigmore. It beautifully captures the life story of Ina and history of the the Farm.

Ina May has a unique dedication to supporting women through childbirth and a talent for emphasizing the universal connection among us, the “sisterhood."  The film beautifully tells the story of how the Farm came to fruition and how a group of women, and men, discovered joy in helping others and empowering women to create healthy families. "Birth Story" premiered at the Los Angeles Film Festival last month and won the Audience Award for best film.  

Watch the trailer here and follow the film's progress to see where and how it will be available.

-Christy