"Microbirth" The Movie

Some time ago I invested in a film project by Alto Films called 'Microbirth'. This film explores the microscopic world of birth and early development.  It researches how vaginal birth, skin on skin contact and breastfeeding all contribute to kick starting our intricately complex immune system through the exposure to a variety of microbes which then create our microbiome. I am hosting a screening of this fascinating new film in London on World Premiere Day, Saturday September 20th. This film is about raising awareness of the hidden consequences of our modern birth and child rearing practices. It is a must see for everyone not just pregnant women! Visit www.microbirth.com to find a screening near you!

SOUL BIRTHING, ACTIVE BIRTH CENTRE and YOGABIRTH present a PREMIERE SCREENING & DISCUSSION PANEL

Saturday 20^th September, 8.00pm (Doors open at 7.30pm)

Active Birth Centre, 25 Bickerton Road, London N19 5JT

Following the 2 min trailer is an excerpt from the Microbirth press release.

Could the way we are born determine our future health and even impact the future of humanity? These are questions explored in a new feature-length documentary “Microbirth” premiering in hundreds of grass-roots public screenings around the world on Saturday 20th September 2014.

Featuring prominent scientists from the UK and North America, “Microbirth” warns that modern birth practices could be interfering with critical biological processes making our children more susceptible to disease.

Recent population studies have shown babies born by Caesarean have approximately a 20% increased risk of developing asthma, 20% increased risk of developing type 1 diabetes, a similar risk with obesity and slightly smaller increases in gastro-intestinal conditions like Crohn's disease or celiac disease. All of these conditions are linked to the immune system.

“Microbirth” explores several possible plausible explanations. One hypothesis is that if normal vaginal birth is interfered with or bypassed completely because of Caesarean birth, this could alter the “seeding of the baby's microbiome”, the critical transfer of bacteria from mother to baby at birth. Scientists suggest this could lead to the baby's immune system not developing to its full potential. Another hypothesis is the actual process of vaginal birth, including the cocktail of hormones produced during labour, could profoundly affect the baby's immune regulation and metabolism.

Dr Matthew Hyde, Research Associate of Neonatal Medicine, Imperial College London says, ”We are increasingly seeing a world out there with what is really a public health time-bomb waiting to go off. And the research we are doing suggests it is only going to get worse, generation on generation. So tomorrow's generation really is on the edge of the precipice unless we can begin to do something about it.”

The film's co-director Toni Harman says, “Caesarean Sections are essential and often are life-saving. However, up until now, no-one has really looked into the long-term impact. This emerging research is painting an alarming picture in terms of future health across populations. There may even be repercussions for the future of humanity. And yet, up until now, I don't hear any alarm bells ringing.”