Attending Birth. Sage Femme, $19.95 DVD

Attending Birth is a two-part documentary looks at the benefits and safety of homebirth. Includes interviews with Dr. Robbie Davis-Floyd, medical anthropologist and author of several books on birth including “Birth as an American Rite of Passage”.

Birth as We Know It: Educational Edition. Elena Tonetti-Vladimirova, $48.95 (DVD format)

Two versions of the original feature film (40 minutes and 20 minutes); tailored for use in prenatal classes, parent lending libraries and midwifery clinics. The film includes footage from the Russian birth camps seen in “Birth Into Being” as well as the birth featured in the film “Orgasmic Birth”.

Birth Dialogue: a Documentary. Miri Urman & Amit Miller, $29.95 DVD 52 minutes

Birth Dialogue follows a couple living a non-traditional lifestyle, making uncommon choices as they navigate pregnancy and the homebirth of their first child. Filmed in Tel Aviv, the DVD is in Hebrew, with English subtitles.

Birth of a Family: a Glance Into the World of an Informed, Home-birthing Family. Christina van Duijn, $37.95 DVD, 30 minutes

This dynamic film portrays the strength of childbirth from a father’s perspective and tells the story of one family’s four home births over a twelve year span.

Birth Into Being: the Russian Waterbirth Experience. Tatyana & Alexi Sargunas, $49.95 DVD

Russian midwife Tatyana Sargunas and her filmmaker husband, Alexi, recorded five totally natural, incredible waterbirths. Their original footage takes you on a breathtaking expedition to witness two families birthing in the Black Sea, and into their home to see their daughter being born in a handmade clear birthing pool. Scenes of children and babies swimming with dolphins will delight and amaze audiences of all ages.

Birth Story: Ina May Gaskin & the Farm Midwives. A film by Sara Lamm & Mary Wigmore, $24.95 (Not available for classroom use or public viewing. For Home Use only.)

BIRTH STORY captures a spirited group of women who taught themselves how to deliver babies on a 1970s hippie commune, rescued modern midwifery from extinction, and changed the way a generation thought about childbirth. Today, these women labour on – fighting to preserve their knowledge, and pushing once again for the rebirth of birth.

Born In Water: a Sacred Journey. Andaluz Waterbirth Center, $47.95 DVD, 33 minutes

A beautiful collection showing seven waterbirths.

Choices in Childbirth. InJoy Videos, $89.99 (2 Volume DVD Set) Note: InJoy DVDs are sold for Home Use Only; and for sale only within Canada. All other users can contact Parentbooks for more information

Choices in Childbirth guides parents step-by-step through three different childbirth interventions and provides an even-handed presentation of benefits and drawbacks.

Volume 1: Epidural Anesthesia 20 minutes. Compare and contrast two birth stories: an epidural and a non-medicated birth. Understand the epidural procedure and how it may affect labor and birth. The merits and drawbacks of this most common pain relief option are explored thoroughly.

Volume 2: Cesarean Birth 22 minutes. With first-of-its-kind, 3D cesarean animation, intertwined with one couple's unplanned cesarean birth story, viewers will have a better understanding of the procedure than ever before. (An actual surgery is included at the end to be shown at your option).

Five Countries, Six Births, Seven Babies: Mother Nature's Design for Birth. $29.95

In FIVE COUNTRIES, SIX BIRTHS, SEVEN BABIES, births unfold in simple, natural settings. Five short chapters show homebirths in France, Costa Rica, Guatemala, the USA and Bermuda including the birth of twins. Three women choose to give birth in water and three choose other locations. All the births are drug free and natural.

Gestational Diabetes DVD. InJoy Productions, $39.99 (22 minutes) Note: InJoy DVDs are sold for Home Use Only; and for sale only within Canada. All other users can contact Parentbooks for more information

This program teaches pregnant women who have gestational diabetes how to keep their blood glucose in a safe and healthy range for the remainder of their pregnancy. It explains the condition, the risk factors and covers healthy food choices, physical activity, medications and more.

Homebirth Stories: a Documentary. Amit Miller & Miri Urman, $24.95 DVD, 42 minutes

Three Israeli couples share their homebirths stories in this beautifully filmed documentary. From their deliberations on the safety of homebirth to the various outcomes — including a waterbirth — each couple relates their unique journey with candor.

It’s My Body, My Baby, My Birth: a Film about Natural Childbirth. Wisewoman Childbirth Traditions, $13.95 (DVD format, 27 minutes)

An educational birth film that tells the story of seven mothers and their emotional journeys to natural childbirth. Beautifully filmed, the DVD presents the views and experiences of mothers, their partners (including one lesbian couple), midwives, an obstetrician and a childbirth educator. Each woman’s story is unique and powerful. Pain, safety and fear are all addressed in this compelling film.

Laboring Under an Illusion: Mass Media Childbirth vs. the Real Thing.  Vicki Elson, $32.95 DVD format, 50 minutes

Anthropologist Vicki Elson explores media-generated myths about childbirth and how our culture influences our birth experiences. Using over 100 video clips from television and film, Elson contrasts fiction with reality and the result is hilarious, engaging and enlightening.

Life’s Greatest Miracle DVD. PBS Home Video, narrated by John Lithgow, photography by Lennart Nilsson, $32.95 DVD format, 60 minutes

It takes countless milestones to turn an undifferentiated clump of cells into a baby and normally it’s a process that happens in the dark. Lennart Nilsson brings it beautifully to light, taking us into the mysterious and beautiful world of conception, through to birth.

Miracle of Birth 3: Five Birth Stories DVD. InJoy Videos, $49.99 (51 minutes/5 segments) Note: InJoy DVDs are sold for Home Use Only; and for sale only within Canada. All other users can contact Parentbooks for more information

Candid interviews, real labor footage and a diverse collection of mothers and birth experiences will keep viewers entertained and informed as they prepare for their own birth experience.

Multiples: More of Everything DVD, Volume One — Prenatal & Birth.  InJoy Videos, $39.99 Note: InJoy DVDs are sold for Home Use Only; and for sale only within Canada. All other users can contact Parentbooks for more information

Multiples: More of Everything DVD, Volume Two —– Postpartum & Breastfeeding.  InJoy Videos, $39.99 Note: InJoy DVDs are sold for Home Use Only; and for sale only within Canada. All other users can contact Parentbooks for more information

This two-volume series prepares parents for the special challenges of having twins or more through the experiences of other families. Stories of twin and triplet pregnancies, births and first-year developmental milestones will inform and encourage viewers.

Volume 1: Prenatal & Birth — teaches parents what to expect during their pregnancy, how to cope with possible complications and how to be better prepared for the delivery.

Volume 2: Postpartum & Breastfeeding — shows the realities of caring for multiples, from the first few days to first birthdays.

Pain Management for Childbirth DVD: Volume 1 Comfort Techniques. InJoy Productions, $49.99 (29 minutes) Note: InJoy DVDs are sold for Home Use Only; and for sale only within Canada. All other users can contact Parentbooks for more information

Volume 1 of this 2 volume set provides an understanding of labor pain – why it occurs, what to expect and how to manage it without pain medications. This DVD demonstrates physical and mental techniques and includes footage of a couple having their first child, using a variety of comfort techniques and delivering their baby naturally. 

Pain Management for Childbirth DVD: Volume 2 Analgesics & Epidurals. InJoy Productions, $49.99 (28 minutes) Note: InJoy DVDs are sold for Home Use Only; and for sale only within Canada. All other users can contact Parentbooks for more information

Volume 2 of this 2 volume set provides expectant parents with an understanding of the two most common labor pain medications. Using real labor footage and 3d animation, viewers will learn how pain medications are administered, how they work and the risks and benefits of each. The DVD includes footage of a single mother who chooses to have an analgesic and then later, an epidural.

Positions for Labor DVD: Maternal Movement and Optimal Fetal Positioning. InJoy Vidoes, $39.99 (19 minutes) Note: InJoy DVDs are sold for Home Use Only; and for sale only within Canada. All other users can contact Parentbooks for more information

This program uses state-of-the art 3-D  animation of fetal rotation and descent, to show moms and their support people the benefits of walking, sitting, forward leaning, side-lying and more throughout labor and birth.

Prenatal Yoga. With Shiva Rea, $29.95 DVD format

The award-winning program for every trimester helps you

• Increase energy and stamina
• Build strength and flexibility during pregnancy
• Improve focus and concentration to assist labour and delivery

The Psychology of Birth, DVD.  $46.95 (43 minutes)

In this beautifully filmed documentary, Dr. Thomas Verny (The Secret Life of the Unborn Child) and Dr. Marshall Klaus (Your Amazing Newborn) explain how an individual’s personality is molded during the nine months of pregnancy and the early days and weeks of newborn life.

Relaxation, Rhythm, Ritual: the 3Rs of Childbirth DVD $64.95, 15 minutes

In this 15-minute video, Penny Simkin shares moments from the labour and birth experiences of ten women. A welcome addition to the films that childbirth educators show in their classes.

There’s a Baby: a Children’s Film about a New Baby. Penny Simkin, $23.95 (DVD, 11 minutes)

This gentle film shows Maia’s joy and excitement as she learns about the new baby, greets her with a kiss and a song, and shows us a bit about life with a new baby.

Understanding Birth: a Comprehensive Guide, 2nd Edition DVD. InJoy Videos (2 DVDs, 135 minutes & 48 minutes) $129.95 Note: InJoy DVDs are sold for Home Use Only; and for sale only within Canada. All other users can contact Parentbooks for more information

The second edition of this award-winning program includes current, evidence-based information, all new footage, and an overall fresh look. As viewers follow the featured families from pregnancy through postpartum, they see a variety of labor experiences, including a natural birth, interventions, and an unplanned cesarean section.

Two DVDs are included with the purchase: Understanding Birth 2nd Edition Express condenses the full-length program and provides the most sought-after topics in less than an hour. The package includes a Facilitator Guide that provides discussion questions and information about the featured families.

Understanding Pregnancy DVD: a Comprehensive Guide. InJoy Productions, $59.99 (78 minutes) Note: InJoy DVDs are sold for Home Use Only; and for sale only within Canada. All other users can contact Parentbooks for more information

A healthier pregnancy starts here, with current research-based prenatal care recommendations, these DVD models healthy habits and teaches about:

• Fetal development
• Prenatal care
• Nutrition
• Exercise
• Discomforts in pregnancy
• Understanding hazards
• Emotions

Understanding Prenatal Nutrition DVD. InJoy Productions, $39.99 (15 minutes) Note: InJoy DVDs are sold for Home Use Only; and for sale only within Canada. All other users can contact Parentbooks for more information

This concise DVD teaches you why good nutrition is essential for a healthy pregnancy and how to incorporate it into your lifestyle.

YOU Having a Baby: the Owner’s Manual to a Happy and Healthy Pregnancy CD Audiobook. Michael Roizen & Mehmet Oz, $36.99

Filled with recipes for nutritious, satisfying snacks and meals, safe exercises for staying fit, and tons of tips that will help you stay comfortable, YOU Having a Baby is the ultimate guidebook for what to do from the moment of conception to the weeks after your child has arrived home. From morning sickness and food cravings to choosing a caregiver and changing a diaper, YOU Having a Baby will give you the real scoop about what's in store for you during this amazing time in your life.