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"Recommended. This is a thorough look at the emotional,
psychological and bioethical sides of in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Infertility medicine has grown exponentially over the past ten years. Help
from new research and technology is expanding the horizons for anyone
wanting a genetically similar infant. The sensitive ethical and political
issues surrounding assisted reproduction and IVF in particular have resulted
in a lack of government regulation, leading to a field that is as stated in
the film, "fast-paced, innovative and often unpredictable." A highlight is
hearing Dr. Howard Jones, "the father of IVF in America," comment on the
lack of scientific studies in the field. 'The Children Show' tackles all the
big issues surrounding IVF from insurance coverage to lack of research
studies to how many embryos to implant and everything in between." -EMRO
Review When "test tube" baby, Louise Brown, was born in England in 1978, she was considered a miracle of modern medical science; today, a "test tube" baby is born every day somewhere in the world. In North America alone there are more than 300 centers that practice in vitro fertilization (IVF), fertilization outside the human body, and the best report "pregnancy rates of more than 30 percent per cycle after embryo transfer." Despite this success, the basic human desire to have children and traditional beliefs in technology continue to clash in the world of reproductive medicine. This enlightening documentary explores the ethical dilemmas created by new treatments for infertility and the story of one couple's quest for treatment; it features many renown specialists in IVF, including William Schoolcraft, M.D., who runs a successful IVF clinic in Colorado; Howard Jones, M.D., called the "father of IVF in America," he performed the first successful IVF procedure in the U.S.; Art Caplan, Ph. D., director of the Center for Bioethics at the Univ. of PA, Philadelphia, a prominent bio-ethicist; Glenn McGee, Ph.D., author of Pragmatic Bioethics, and editor of The American Journal of Bioethics; Gay Becker, Ph.D., the former Adjunct Professor of Medical Anthropology, School of Medicine, UC/San Francisco; Gregory Stock, Ph.D., director of the Program on Medicine, Technology, and Society at UCLA's School of Public Health, and author of Redesigning Humans: Our Inevitable Genetic Future; and Madeline Licker Feingold, Ph.D., an experienced infertility counselor with the Alta Bates IVF Program in California. In this evenhanded account we see how opinions and attitudes about technology and gender identity surround infertility, which can make decision making especially difficult; also we see doctors and patients are trying their best to make responsible decisions in an area of medicine that has few rules and no assurances. Produced by Josh Braun. 08DR/CL SCA 52 min. |
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Babies: If Only They Came With Instructions (cc) |
| Answering the most-often-asked questions of parents, Dr. Norman Campbell shares his 30 years of experiences in showing how to provide the best care for newborn through 4-year-old children. Topics covered include: Bottles and Formulas; Colic Problems; Skin Problems; Circumcision Care; Vaginal and Rectal Bleeding; Burping; Growing Pains; Meatal Stenosis. Produced by Scott and Dr. Norman Campbell. 09DR/CC Closed-Captioned SCA 30 min. |
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The Baby Shower |
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"Recommended. This excellent documentary uses a variety
of symbols and films clips to explore the common experiences of women and
motherhood. The interview portion of the program is very powerful, and
demonstrates how a common experience can affect women very differently. It
differs from other documentaries in that it focuses on the personal and
emotional side of pregnancy, rather than the factual, medical, or scientific
aspects." -EMRO Review This sensitive documentary uses a mother-to-be's baby shower to present a personal account, by the wife and husband, as well as relatives and friends, of the feelings and emotions involved with pregnancy, motherhood and fatherhood. Produced by Baby Moon Productions. 07DR Level 1 - SCA 20 min. Level 2 - CA 30 min. |
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"Highly Recommended. One of the best programs this
reviewer has ever had the pleasure to examine. In this fact-filled program a
pediatrician, child psychologist, and nurse/mother's assistant show new
parents how to care for their babies during the first days home. It would be
a shame to do without even a minute of this program." -WLB Review "Highly recommended for parents-to-be. Expert advice with a personal touch." -Booklist In this fact-filled program a pediatrician, child psychologist, and nurse/mother's assistant show new parents how to care for their babies during the first days home. Produced by Duncan Productions. 09DR/CL SCA 60 min. |
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"Recommended. This well-made documentary offers a private
look at two, totally natural, at-home births." -Science Books &
Films "Recommended. This production features two home deliveries. It is very realistic and can orient parents-to-be as to what takes place during a home delivery. Some viewers will be enlightened and decide to choose home instead of hospital birth, although many hospitals are now offering 'birthing suites' that provide homelike surroundings." -VRG Review Only a small percentage of births in most developed nations occur at home; however, over the past 40 years there has been a steep increase in midwife-attended births. There are two types of homebirths: attended - those attended by a professional, usually a midwife; and unattended: also called freebirths, which involves the woman attended by others she knows, and possibly a birth attendant, known as a doula. Obviously, safety for the mother and child or children, has to be the number one consideration, and taking that into account the World Health Organization released a statement advocating at-home births as a woman's right. There are various reasons women choose to give birth at home, and for any woman considering this option, it is best to have as much information as possible. This classic program documents two at-home births each attended by a midwife, providing two real-life perspectives as to how to prepare for an at-home birth. Produced by Televista West. 09DR/CL CA 60 min. |
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"Highly Recommended. This is a very easy program to
watch. The presentation has been well planned. Massage techniques are
clearly explained and demonstrated, with both mothers and massage partners
in a variety of positions. Massage can be tiring to perform; so emphasis is
placed on the partner's stance and posture, as well as the mother's. It
cautions to proceed with care where there are pre-existing back problems,
for either mother or partner, and to avoid nut-based carrier oils in the
case of nut allergies." -Kathy Pollard, BA This program, produced for couples and professionals alike, highlights the physical and emotional aspects of the active and supportive role of massage, and its application during childbirth. Linda Kimber, a community midwife at the John Radcliffe Women's Center for nearly 20 years, takes viewers step-by-step through specific massage techniques that help women cope with their contractions by combining massage with controlled breathing. Produced by Talking Pictures, Ltd. 09DR CA 52 min. |
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"Recommended. A young mother demonstrates the ease of using cloth diapers to a neighbor in this straightforward production. The cost of a diaper service she uses is less than that of using synthetics, and the weekly delivery service is considered convenient. The benefits of natural fibers to the baby's skin and the fact that they are reusable make cloth diapers a good choice. Providing safety and health tips, this useful program depicts the improvements that make traditional diapering methods more attractive to parents." -Booklist Some people may ask, do parents still use cloth diapers? You may be surprised to learn the answer is an emphatic, yes! And there are many reasons why, such as: skin care, health concerns, cost factors, and helping the environment. Obviously, whether you decide to use cloth or disposable diapers is a personal choice. Some parents will choose disposables, some traditional cloth ones; and others may combine using the two. For those who opt for cloth diapering, this classic program is an excellent how-to guide, which will help you decide what you feel is best for your baby. Produced by Elana Pyle. 09DR/CL SCA 15 min. |
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1st Place Award -HSCMA
Festival A premature infant or preemie is a baby born when a woman’s pregnancy lasts fewer than 37 weeks. Premature infants have organs that are not fully developed, meaning the infants need special care until their organ systems have developed enough to sustain life without medical support, a situation that may take weeks to months. This classic program, written and narrated by Dave Iverson, visits Meriter Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin, and focuses on a few months in the lives of premature infants in its “special care” nursery, now called the Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Here we see firsthand how crucial the first days of life are to these infants; we meet the doctors and hospital staff, as well as the parents of the children. Thanks to advances in technology approximately 90% of premature babies from one to two pounds survive and we witness several moving successes; however, as this sensitive documentary also reveals, there are times when some children are born with conditions that are too severe to sustain life. Produced by the Wisconsin Ed. Comm. Board. 09DR/CL SCA 30 min. |