A Healthy Baby Girl

DES was a synthetic hormone given to pregnant women in the 40's, 50's and 60's, purportedly to prevent miscarriage. One of the "healthy baby girls" born to a mother who'd previously miscarried, filmmaker Judith Helfland was diagnosed with cervical cancer and had a radical hysterectomy at the age of 25. Ironically, she was a crew member working on another documentary about the drug when she was advised to seek the medical exam which led to her diagnosis. Filmed and taped over a five-year period, the viewer follows Helfland from her surgery to her physical recuperation and the much longer-term healing of emotional scars. Although occasionally self-indulgent, the tape should be a vital resource for other DES "babies." Unfortunately, the price will put it out of the reach of most public libraries, which is where it would serve the most people. Medical school libraries, however, should definitely purchase so the doctors and nurses of tomorrow can be made aware of the huge impact of past medical decisions. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (R. Reagan)