Paula James-Martinez, a British journalist and new mother, made a remarkable career shift by delving into feature filmmaking with her debut documentary, “Born Free: Birth in America.” Released on Mother’s Day, the film explores the reasons why the United States has the highest expenses and risks associated with childbirth among developed nations. James-Martinez, based in Los Angeles and formerly working for popular outlets like Dazed magazine and Refinery29, was motivated to shed light on this issue after experiencing the lack of information available during her own pregnancy.
The documentary, which can be streamed for free on various platforms, features insightful interviews with parents who share their traumatic birth experiences. One woman, for example, recounts her experience of receiving an episiotomy against her wishes. The statistics presented in the film align with a recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, indicating that maternal deaths in the U.S. have more than doubled from 1999 to 2019, with Black mothers suffering the highest mortality rates.
Among those interviewed is Charles Johnson IV, who filed a civil rights lawsuit against Cedars-Sinai Medical Center after his wife, Kira, died from childbirth complications. Johnson argues that his wife’s situation would have been treated differently if she were white. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has launched an investigation into these allegations. James-Martinez emphasizes that the poor outcomes for Black women during childbirth cannot be attributed to factors like income or education, debunking common myths.
Coincidentally, the release of “Born Free” marks the 15-year anniversary of the documentary “The Business of Being Born.” Produced by Ricki Lake, that film also explores the modern childbirth experience and promotes the use of midwives. James-Martinez acknowledges the parallels between the two films, expressing solidarity with Lake and the director of “The Business of Being Born,” Abby Epstein. The goal is to continue showing both films together to highlight the progress made in discourse about maternal mortality while recognizing the persistent challenges that remain.
In conclusion, Paula James-Martinez’s “Born Free: Birth in America” is a thought-provoking documentary shedding light on the expensive and dangerous nature of childbirth in the United States. By sharing personal stories and compelling data, James-Martinez aims to increase awareness, advocate for choice and accountability, and improve the overall experience for women giving birth in the country.
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