ALLOWED TO BIRTH

THE JOURNEY OF A GLOBAL MIDWIFE

A Film by Jacinta Lagos

Across cultures and continents, birth is both a universal experience and a deeply personal journey, yet for millions it has become increasingly shaped by systems of control, risk, and intervention.

This documentary explores the global landscape of childbirth, revealing the growing maternal health crisis and the profound impact of the medicalization of birth.

Through intimate stories and cross-cultural perspectives, the film examines how modern obstetric practices (while often lifesaving) have transformed a natural process into a highly managed medical event. It questions whether this shift has always served mothers and babies, or if it has, in some cases, distanced them from safer, more holistic care.

At the heart of the film is the life and work of midwife and educator Kristine Lauria, whose approach offers a powerful alternative. Grounded in respect, physiology, and evidence-based care, her work challenges conventional models and reimagines what childbirth can look like when autonomy, trust, and continuity of care are prioritized.

By weaving together global insights with one woman’s mission, the documentary invites audiences to reconsider how we bring life into the world, and what it would take to make birth safer, more humane, and more empowering for all.

Content Note: This film is not intended for children under 13. It contains discussions of sexual abuse and includes mild nudity in the context of childbirth and human anatomy.

Contact the host of Townsville Screening - "Allowed to Birth: The Journey of a Global Midwife"