GARDINER – What do mothers want? What do mothers deserve? These and other tough questions are explored in “Birth,” described as “The Vagina Monologues” of childbirth. Throughout September, more than 100 benefit performances of the critically acclaimed play by Karen Brody will take center stage as part of Birth On Labor Day (BOLD), a global movement to make maternity care mother-friendly.

On Labor Day Weekend, BOLD in Maine will host a performance of “Birth” at 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 2, and at 2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 3, at Johnson Hall Performing Arts Center on Water Street.

Proceeds will benefit The Coalition for Improving Maternity Services, www.motherfriendly.org and Birth Roots, www.ourbirthroots.org. An open talk-back session featuring Maine birth professionals will directly follow the performance

BOLD performances of Brody’s play, which have more than doubled in number since last year, are being performed in communities worldwide as part of a movement to improve birthing options and safety for mothers. In 2006, BOLD’s first year, performances of “Birth” raised more than $10,000 for local maternity care groups.

The story of eight women, “Birth” delivers a theatrical experience that melds the unbridled hilarity, the unexpected poignancy, and the tragic truth about power in maternity care today.

The cast represents the birthing spectrum from liberal Amanda to strong-willed, no-nonsense Vanessa to career-driven Beth, violated Natalie and even angry, somewhat deflated Lisa. At the cornerstone of each story lies personal choice. And Janet’s epidural, Jillian’s home birth and Sandy’s cesarean section are all on display without judgment.

“Maternity care today simply isn’t mother-friendly,” Brody said in a prepared statement. “In many communities, pregnant mothers are faced with few options that support low or no-intervention birth choices; in other communities, women feel they went with the standard medical care and were treated poorly. BOLD encourages all people attending performances to learn the truth about childbirth, understand where power lurks in their maternity care system and make informed birth choices.”