Community Screening: Birth Story-Ina May Gaskin & the Farm Midwives

We invite you to join us for a community screening of the documentary Birth Story. We also are hosting a book club discussion of the book "Spiritual Midwifery" by Ina May Gaskin. To join the book club, please RSVP here: https://www.wombinitiative.org/event-details/spiritual-midwifery-book-club-rsvp-required

Watch the movie trailer

SYNOPSIS

The feature-length documentary BIRTH STORY: Ina May Gaskin and The Farm Midwives tells the story of counterculture heroine Ina May Gaskin and her spirited friends, who began delivering each other’s babies in 1970, on a caravan of hippie school buses, headed to a patch of rural Tennessee land. With Ina May as their leader, the women taught themselves midwifery from the ground up, and, with their families, founded an entirely communal, agricultural society called The Farm. They grew their own food, built their own houses, published their own books, and, as word of their social experiment spread, created a model of care for women and babies that changed a generation’s approach to childbirth.

Forty years ago Ina May led the charge away from isolated hospital birthing rooms, where husbands were not allowed and mandatory forceps deliveries were the norm. Today, as nearly one third of all US babies are born via C-section, she fights to preserve her community’s hard-won knowledge. With incredible access to the midwives’ archival video collection, the film not only captures the unique sisterhood at The Farm Clinic–from its heyday into the present–but shows childbirth the way most people have never seen it–unadorned, unabashed, and awe-inspiring.

COMMUNITY SCREENING STATEMENT

The Women of the Mountains Birth Initiative (WOMB) is honored to present Birth Story: Ina May Gaskin and the Farm Midwives. We hold a deep respect for traditional midwifery, bodily autonomy, and the brave individuals throughout history who have advocated for the right to birth where and how they choose.

Our goal in sharing this historical documentary is to offer an opportunity for education, curiosity, and reflection. We invite our community—families, birth workers, healthcare providers, and advocates alike—to explore the history and evolution of maternity care together.

A Note on Content & Safety

This film includes raw, candid depictions of nudity, live birth, and deeply intimate personal stories. Because these experiences can evoke strong emotions, we encourage all viewers to prioritize their own well-being and self-care throughout the screening. We value your presence and experience, and we are committed to facilitating a safe, supportive environment for everyone in attendance.

A Note on Context & Perspective

As a historical piece, this documentary reflects the specific culture, language, and perspectives of a particular era. While WOMB proudly supports informed choice, bodily autonomy, and access to safe, respectful maternity care across all settings, the specific views, opinions, and statements expressed in this film belong solely to the filmmakers and participants, and do not necessarily represent the official position or endorsement of WOMB, its board, or its partners.

We ask our guests to join us with open minds and an eagerness to learn from the past—both its triumphs and its complexities.

We invite you to stay after the film for a respectful, open dialogue where all experiences, perspectives, and voices are welcome.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

1:00 PM | Mix & Mingle

• Activities: Visit our resource table, meet WOMB volunteers and board members, and connect with fellow attendees.

• Extras: Enjoy complimentary snacks and check out the Nursing Nook.

• Book Sale: Copies of Spiritual Midwifery and Ina May's Guide to Childbirth will be available for purchase.

2:00 PM | Movie Screening: Birth Story

• Runtime: 1 hour, 35 minutes.

• Seating Info: Metal folding chairs (provided by Lancaster Auditorium) and "poofs" (floor pillows provided by WOMB) will be available.

• Feel free to bring your own lawn chair if you prefer extra comfort!

3:35 PM | Transition

• Grab a snack, stretch your legs, and chat.

• Note: During this time, we will restructure seating into smaller groups of 6–8 for the next segment.

4:00 PM | Facilitated Birth Stories

• Small-group sharing of personal experiences, with dedicated facilitators present to hold a safe space.

• If you prefer a specifically trauma-informed group, please indicate this when placing your order.

4:45 PM | Closing Ceremony

• We will gather in a community circle to honor mothers everywhere—from all walks of life and at all stages of the journey.

A NOTE FOR FAMILIES & PARENTS

We love having families and children with us! To help you decide what’s best for your little ones, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Film Content: Please take a look at the content note above. The documentary includes raw depictions of birth and nudity, so we encourage you to make the choice that feels right for your family’s values.

• Childcare & Space: While our Nursing Nook will be open for feeding and caring for little ones, we won't have dedicated childcare or a quiet play area available if kids get restless.

• Guest Experience: We ask that you use your best judgment on whether your children will be comfortable sitting through a long film while being mindful of other viewers around them.

If you’re on the fence or have any questions at all, please reach out to us—we’re always happy to help you figure out what works best for your family!

INFORMATION ON TICKET PRICING

When you register, you’ll see three different ticket options. WOMB is deeply committed to keeping all of our events accessible to women and families from all walks of life, regardless of financial circumstance.

To help cover our costs while keeping our doors open to everyone, we offer a suggested donation of $20 per adult (and as always, children are free!).

We also offer a "Pay What You Can" option, as well as an option to donate a bit extra if you feel inspired to help support our work.

Your donation directly supports this event and WOMB’s mission by helping us:

• Cover the costs of hosting this community screening.

• Keep future educational programs and events accessible.

• Bring our birth and family community together in shared space.

• Show our grantors and funders that the work we do together truly matters to our community.

Thank you for supporting WOMB and being a part of this community!