Birth Matters of Virginia was inspired by Ricki Lake’s movie The Business of Being Born to host a YouTube video contest (they even got Ricki to help judge it).

As a step toward our goal of educating women about their choices and options during the childbearing years, Birth Matters Virginia solicited short videos about evidence-based maternity and delivery care. With our nation ranking 41st in maternal mortality and our cesarean rate surpassing 30%, it is more important than ever for women to be educated about their options.

We were pleased to have received nearly 40 informative and thoughtful videos on topics ranging from personal birth journeys, the role a doula plays, midwifery care, cesarean sections, birthing in the Amish culture, birth in Ireland, and more. Each video carried a message of the understanding that change needs to occur in our culture related to pregnancy and birth for the well-being of both mothers and babies.

The first place winner was “Prevent Cesarean Surgery” by Ragan Cohen featured above.

Second place was “The Nature of Natural Birth” by Laura Alvarez.

Honorable mention went to “Misconception” by Becky Carey.