On September 1st, 15th and 29th, there were 3 fabulous performances of Karen Brody's play BIRTH. More than 750 people came to the Historic Iao Theater to support Mother-Friendly Birth. It was a true reflection of the beauty of this community and what we can do when we come together. Enjoy reading some of the feedback from the shows!
"The play was such a well-balanced representation of women's choices in birthing...
It also clearly presented the detached attitude of medical obstetrical treatment of birth in America. The format of the play, with short-takes and group participation keep it lively and focused. The actresses were awesome and deserve a tremendous applause!
Mahalo to you for birthing this opportunity for the women/men of Maui."
-- Dr. Bonnie Marsh, Naturopath
"Birth brought steady tears of joy for such important, essential truth being shared so beautifully. BEAUTIFULLY AND POWERFULLY! BOLDLY!"
-- Roger Sussman, Sussman Communications
"Thank you for an amazing experience last night. I can't tell you how wonderful it was for me to recognize my own birth with the last birth of Jillian and the knowledge that I too had the most perfect birth . . in the water surrounded by four powerful women! I also knew the grief of a violent birth and I feel gifted with two such different but equally valuable birth stories."
-- Monique Paris
"Mahola a nui. Last night, I saw BIRTH at the Iao
Theatre.
I'm not a mom (yet), but feel closer to being one. I
actually feel closer to my own mom, in a way.
Watching the play was inspiring in so many ways.
Words cannot express how much of an impact this
production (and the after-party!) have had on my life
already. Thank you so, so much."
-- Lisa K. Olivia
"Best 20 bucks I've spent in awhile ... it was super to be watching the spirits of these actresses share the
greater birth story. I was moved over and over again. Recalling my own 3 birth experiences and feeling
deeply blessed for my stories of each birth.
My heart goes out to women world wide who don't have this experience of a blissful easy birth.
I now have a deeper empathy. thanks for bringing it home."
-- Tara Grace
"Zuwena and I both enjoyed the play. It was very well done. It did bring back some memories of being offered a C section while in labor with Zuwena. Fortunately, Zuwena's Dad was there with me. As long as the baby was okay, he insisted that we continue. There was a point during the 26 hour labor that I probably would have given in, not from pain, but from exhaustion. There is a good reason they call it labor. I was so happy that I had the support to keep going.
Zuwena called her beau Greg right after the play to announce that they would be having their children in a birthing tub. He was funny. He wanted to know if the baby could drown. Zuwena explained the process so he was reassured"
-- Cynthia J. Salim
"Beautiful Presentation"
"Amazing. Great job"
"Wonderful for women who feel disempowered"
"Great cause, thank you for voicing women's perspective"
"Well done w/forgets. Well done with moving on and not too much stage eye contact, you all kept the flow"
"EXCEPTIONAL. A must for all teen women"
"Soooo good. I may have to attend again"
"How did you choose your actresses? Each one was absolutely perfect for their role"
"more men should see this performance, this was an amazing show, moving, uplifting, concerning and informative
"I feel more open to women who choose to have hospital births"
"This was a very moving experience"
This ... from a mom whose first baby is expected in January "I'm more scared now. I definitely want to know more about my options as a QUEST recipient. It was very intense. I was sweating while Jeana (Amanda) was giving birth"
" I have viewed 2 births before that were great ... this reminded me it isn't always that way"
"I wish I came before my first birth ending in a c-section so now stuck with that"
"I very much enjoyed the experience. Thank you. I think we need so much more of this kind of thing so women become aware of their choices"
"It opens my view of choice and how choices can change during the whole process ... great ... mahalos ... it really makes me want to become a doula now"
"I appreciate the format, the views, the stories, representing real stories - good. I would like to see more information about the realities of birth in hospital vs home/natural. Would love to see more info. about how the births affect the baby. Awesome!! Good work! Blessings! Not only does birth not have to be painful but can be ecstatic!!! Thank you for this beautiful cause. Love the part about getting scrambled eggs (anything she wants) during labor"
"It solidified my desire to have more home birth ... made to feel more safe"
"I'm more secure in my desire to have a home birth. It was wonderful - thank you for putting it on"
"Fab! Moving!"
"I'm a registered nurse for 15 years and Im a guy. I have always believed the hospital is not the place for natural life events. Missed the talkback but the play was awesome!!! Very nice theatre and what a beautiful group of dynamic and powerful women"
"Excellent! Let's create a birth center and get organized!"
Pediatric Physical Therapist(34) "Liked Sandra, very realistic and sadly true for so many women. Related to Lisa because I have a good body intuition but can see how other people might make me doubt it. Missing from the play was premature births and adoption. I feel very supportive of women being educated on their choices of birth. Wonderful performance. Thank you for doing this!"
Housewife, mother(46) "I enjoyed every story ... nothing confusing, completely understood it all. Premature babies missing from play. The debate was very interesting"
"Came to the performance because my wife recommended it. The play has not change my views. I do not view birth through the eyes of western medicine. Informed mothers can and should move on to teaching less informed mothers. More info, more choices, less fear"
Aroma-therapist, Massage Therapist, Artist (34) "My favorite part was "the rock girl" I loved the audience affirmation/participation ... boldness. I feel much more informed, more empowered to have a birth team if I decide to have a baby. All of it was great! Wonderful! Again! A hui ho!
Female, Teacher (38) "I loved my birth, it was a home birth. I'm so glad I had a home birth"
Substitute Teacher (31)" I liked the "my body rocks" girl, I had what I wanted in my home birth, mostly. Hospital success stories were missing from the play"
"The entire show and actresses were beautiful and so in character, so real, emotional joyful, and heartfelt. Thanks for the knowledge. Incredible knowledge and the beauty and joy of a woman being able to experience her mind, body, spirit, soul connection. I would choose the Dulah" (comment from Robin ... hey ... I like that spelling)
"My dear friend Tina Mason was one of the actresses. I take away that we need to be heard. Reinforces what I already believe ... it's up to each of us to stand for what is our truth. Great! Inspiring! Bring it to San Francisco. Reminiscent of Vagina Monologues"
"I will now be able to tell anyone who is interested new options. I feel like I was not listened to by my OB/GYN and I realize a lot more women have the same feelings!"
"Intrigued. Natural Birth rocks, hospitals if a must, after. I will help my sisters with love and support. Powerful, sad, moving, maybe add a touch more humor. Very, Very good actresses. Good directing. I have no babies. Sad but good play for me."
"To experience it. I was deeply moved and informed at the great world of variations in births. Great!!! Every person should see this show"
"Glad to have professional doctors and nurses included in the panel for their perspective. I came because I heard about it and was intrigued. Fabulous! Powerful! Honest! Really glad this was offered to the community and appreciated the informative program with phone numbers and resources. It reinforced my beliefs I'd already formed but no finding support from my fiance ... although it will be a few years from my first pregnancy and birth ... I had been considering locating to Oregon for the last few months to have support for the kind of birth I want ... maybe there is hope here"
"Heard about it in Maui News Backstage. Interest as a potential mother. There ARE options on Maui ... I never knew I had, choices outside of Maui Memorial Medical Center. I already wanted natural; that has been reinforced. I hope the medical community pays attention to this! Women's feelings matter!! This is a VERY important thing for the community. Thank you!"
"I have assisted at 2 homebirths. I am so happy about the BOLD/Women Who Care. Keep it up!"
Female Artist (42) "Favorite birth story was my body rocks. Feel missing was 'more about natural births with non-epidural"
Female Therapist(33). "Favorite part was Robin - she was so earthy and so real. Missing from the play was teenage pregnancy"
"Loved Vagina Monologues, wanted to experience this. I came way that I was not alone in the losing control in my birthing. The MD's were GODS. Thank you for pointing us towards our birth sovereignty. Thank you women who showed us to take back our natural rights"
"Did birth at home 33 years ago. Beautiful and powerful performance."
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