Face of Birth: Birth Stories

Watch Face of Birth: Birth Stories

  • 2012
  • 5 Seasons

Face of Birth: Birth Stories from Food Matters TV is a captivating documentary series dedicated to showcasing real-life childbirth experiences. The show is produced by James Colquhoun and Laurentine ten Bosch, who are well-known for producing popular alternative health documentaries, including "Hungry For Change" and "Food Matters."

The show offers a refreshing perspective on childbirth, and highlights the joys and challenges that come with bringing new life into the world. The show features mothers and their partners recounting their personal childbirth experiences from various parts of the world.

The show presents a broad range of stories that highlight the physical and emotional aspects of childbirth. Many of the mothers featured in the series give birth naturally, and the show highlights the unique aspects of each of their experiences. Some featured mothers choose to deliver in hospitals, while others opt for home births. The series explores the reasons behind these choices, and offers a glimpse into the different types of support that families receive.

Face of Birth: Birth Stories from Food Matters TV also explores the societal and cultural aspects of childbirth, and the varied interventions used in different regions around the world. For instance, one episode of the series shows how mothers in remote areas of Australia have limited access to medical care, thus affecting the choices they make during childbirth. Another episode highlights how the hospital system in Brazil affects the birth experiences of its mothers.

The show also considers the roles of fathers in the birthing process, showcasing how they can offer emotional and physical support to their partners. Fathers bare emotional insights into the birthing process, and the show highlights the pivotal role they play during these precious moments.

One of the outstanding elements of Face of Birth: Birth Stories from Food Matters TV is the high level of attention given to the experiences of mothers themselves. The series allows mothers to fully express their feelings and concerns, and consequently, present an accurate depiction of childbirth from their own unique perspectives.

The show is a thought-provoking, emotional, and insightful look into one of the most important stages of life; birth. It presents an engaging conversation that prompts viewers to think beyond the common tropes of childbirth and motherhood. It is also an important tool for individuals considering having children, as it explores the many aspects of parenting and raises questions for parents and caregivers to consider.

The show features stunning visuals and emotive music, which serve to complement the raw and uncensored narratives of the mothers. The documentary-style format allows viewers to witness the birth experiences of mothers, and consequently gain a deeper sense of empathy and understanding of the birthing process.

Finally, Face of Birth: Birth Stories from Food Matters TV is a timely reminder of the importance of advocating for a more informed, supportive, and safer birthing experience for all women globally. The show underlines the significance of creating a healthy and empowering birthing experience for both mothers and their partners.

In conclusion, Face of Birth: Birth Stories from Food Matters TV is a must-watch for anyone interested in the birthing process. The show presents a balanced and candid portrayal of childbirth, allowing viewers to connect with the incredible moments of joy and experience the challenges faced by mothers, families, and communities during this demanding time.

Face of Birth: Birth Stories is a series that is currently running and has 5 seasons (91 episodes). The series first aired on January 1, 2012.

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Seasons
Episode 17
17. Episode 17
January 1, 2004
Elena left Russia nine years ago with her two sons. She and husband Eric married two years ago and are expecting their first child together. Tea and Pablo's baby will have a multicultural lineage. Tea is Persian and Pablo is Mexican. Sports enthusiast Mary's water broke at her friend's house, and to avoid ruining her friend's beautiful cream carpet, Mary stood over her empty gym bag!
Episode 16
16. Episode 16
January 1, 2004
When Tea first found out she was pregnant she had conflicting emotions. Her first ultrasound put everything in perspective and now she and Pablo are overjoyed. Mary and Rob are living in a hotel until their dream home is finished. Doris's doctor breaks her water to speed things up. Douglas isn't certain how he's going to hold up, as he has a weak stomach.
Episode 15
15. Episode 15
January 1, 2004
Mary is eight months pregnant and as active as ever. When she was thirteen weeks pregnant she ran the Boston marathon. Deanne is at home and in labor. Things are advancing rapidly and well. Her luck runs out when it's time to push. The mid-wives announce it's time to go to the hospital, an exhausted Deanne and supportive husband Jaime, concur.
Episode 14
14. Episode 14
January 1, 2004
It was love at first sight for Douglas when he spotted former Beauty Queen Doris on the dance floor at a club. Now they are married and expecting their second child. Deanne enjoys "girls'- night-out" and the friends share their feelings about sex during pregnancy. Suzanne's contractions are taking a toll on her and she gets an epidural to rest up for the exertion of delivery.
Episode 13
13. Episode 13
January 1, 2004
Deanne and Jaimie are expecting their second child. This time, they are going to use hypnotherapy to get through it. Suzanne is worried, the baby hasn't been moving much. They go to the hospital to check the baby's heart rate. The doctors check the baby and everything is fine. Carly and Mike's third child is on the way. Carly is having the baby at home even though she knows it's big.
Episode 12
12. Episode 12
January 1, 2004
Pregnancy is hard on Suzanne's body image, she's not enjoying the changes. Carly and Mike's third baby is going to be born at home. Carly's impatient to give birth. Nikki is proud that she's taken such good care of herself during this pregnancy. And now it's about to pay off, she's in the hospital in labor.
Episode 11
11. Episode 11
January 1, 2004
Carly is expecting her third child and is treating herself to a spa day. Nikki and David's baby had a scary first trimester, during a routine ultrasound doctors found a potential genetic problem. Janice's blood pressure is really high and her doctors order a c-section. She and Kevin prepare for the surgery and baby Grace is born without complications.
Episode 10
10. Episode 10
January 1, 2004
Nikki has a 12 year old daughter, and didn't want any more children until she met David. David really wanted a child and now they are expecting a baby boy. Janice's health is a concern for her doctors, her blood pressure is rising and her baby is getting big. Jenny and Paul are at the hospital, and she's being induced. Their daughter is born on Father's Day, a special gift for Paul.
Episode 9
9. Episode 9
January 1, 2004
After the dog ate Janice's oral contraceptive pills, she wound up pregnant. Plagued by serious anxiety over losing the baby, Jenny can't believe something so wonderful is happening to them. They continue to consult with specialists regarding the exact condition of the baby's kidney. It's the eve of Lynette's c-section and she's nervous.
Episode 8
8. Episode 8
January 1, 2004
Lynette and Chris moved from Newfoundland to downtown Toronto. But a baby is on the way and so is a move to the suburbs. The morning of her wedding, surrounded by her bridesmaids, Jenny announces the doctors have detected a slight problem with one of the baby's kidneys. Kim is in labour and she's dealing with the pain as best she can. A home birth rules out painkillers.
Episode 7
7. Episode 7
January 1, 2004
Jenny's grappling with serious anxiety regarding her baby's health. Jenny refuses to unpack the baby clothes she bought, for fear she might jinx her pregnancy. Kim and Wesley come from different backgrounds. Katie and Bruno's baby's birth is induced and is born without complications. Their infant daughter has a small kidney defect which will require regular medical attention.
Episode 6
6. Episode 6
January 1, 2004
Kim has decided to have her baby at home. She had to convince Wesley but he's now come around. Katie is worried, a recent ultrasound detected a slight problem with one of the baby's kidneys. Lisa is admitted to the hospital, she's tired and gives up on a natural birth in favor of an epidural. Unfortunately, the first epidural doesn't work and she has to undergo the procedure a second time.
Episode 5
5. Episode 5
January 1, 2004
Katie and Bruno are expecting their fifth child. Their third baby died immediately following birth from kidney failure. The impact of losing a child has had a profound effect on the family. Lyall prepares a room for the home birth. Lisa on the other hand, has accepted that a hospital birth is the safest route. Mariam goes in for induction and after a long labor is finally ready to push.
Episode 4
4. Episode 4
January 1, 2004
Mariam and Joe are tickled pink about becoming parents. It wasn't supposed to happen, Joe has a problem with his sperm. After her latest exam, Lisa's mid-wives recommend moving the birth to the hospital. Lisa's baby is large and she had a c-section with her first, which increases the risk of her uterus rupturing. Kim and John's fourth baby is on its way!
Episode 3
3. Episode 3
January 1, 2004
Lisa is 40 years old, and her last child, seven years ago, was an emergency c-section. That makes a vaginal birth at home this time a little risky. With the birth of the couple's fourth child just a month away, Kim assures the social worker that they can cope. IIsabelle is being induced. During labor, the baby shows signs of distress and the doctor orders a c-section.
Episode 2
2. Episode 2
January 1, 2004
Kim and John have three children under the age of four and are foster parents to three teenage boys. Another baby is expected in a month to join this busy household. Isabelle is spending a lot of time alone. Stephaney and Frank are home with the triplets and aren't getting much sleep. Jana and Scott's baby is born by c-section without a hitch.
Episode 1
1. Episode 1
January 1, 2004
Stephaney and Frank are expecting triplets - two boys and a girl. That's a lot of babies for this 22 year old, first time mom. Isabelle and Zach have been together for fifteen years. Now, they're expecting their first child and it's time for a big lifestyle change. Jana is bracing herself for her fourth c-section, being a surgical nurse doesn't ease her anxiety about the looming surgery.
Description
Where to Watch Face of Birth: Birth Stories
Face of Birth: Birth Stories is available for streaming on the Food Matters TV website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch Face of Birth: Birth Stories on demand at Amazon Prime and Amazon.
  • Premiere Date
    January 1, 2012