bunch of hippies with incense and to remind women that birth is a natural process that has been performed for thousands of years. The World Health Organisation recommends that birth should take place where a woman feels safe, where appropriate care is feasible and secure and where she can be close to her people. In other Western countries like the UK and New Zealand their approach is a more progressive one with independent, publicly funded midwives and homebirths available as well as birthing centres and hospitals. But Australia has some way to come on this issue because the personal has gotten political and everyone has an opinion. The Face Of Birth is not perfect but it is an informative documentary that will get people talking about this important issue. At times it poses more questions then answers but the prevailing message for everyone should be that there will be advantages and disadvantages or risks associated with any birth, because while it is a miracle it can be an unpredictable one. It also seems that the answer is not going to be found in a specific instruction but in women being informed and supported so that they can make their own educated choice, because birth ultimately has impacts that extend beyond the delivery room. 3 responses to "film review: the face of birth" "the personal has gotten political and everyone has an opinion" -- true of so many issues impacting on women, from how we dress to gender-based violence to healthcare...