dolphin-assisted birth

Quantum_Leap · #1 January 13th, 2012, 05:40 AM

I saw this mentioned on another board as well. I am having trouble figuring out whether or not this is a real thing. Here are some links about it, but none of them seem very credible:

peaceful parenting: Birth Among Dolphins
Penn & Teller Call Bull**** On Dolphin-Assisted Birth
GENTLE BIRTH METHOD

Apparently there is also a video of this happening on Youtube, but I can't access Youtube from here so haven't been able to watch it personally. The link is here, though: Dolphin Midwives and Underwater Birthing - YouTube

Anyway, assuming that this is real, do you think that this is a legitimate birthing option?

foxfire_ga79 · #2 January 13th, 2012, 06:45 AM

One of the comments under the video was "don't try this with sharks" lmao.

It seems over the top to me, but if someone else wants to I don't care. I'm assuming people would only do this with dolphins accustomed to human interaction.

razzledobe · #3 January 13th, 2012, 07:28 AM

I agree in that is is completely over the top and ridiculous. What is legitimate to one person is complete hooey to another... so who am I to tell?

I truly fail to see what is accomplished with this that is not accomplished in a home water birth attended with a qualified midwife. Also, referring to a dolphin as a midwife IMO completely cheapens the profession and is just downright stupid. Really we're going to compare a person that has undergone years of training to a dolphin? I mean they're cute and all but that just makes me roll my eyes.

Repti.Mom · #4 January 13th, 2012, 07:55 AM

All just parent's trying to one up each other.

I'm going to give birth in an active volcano during a full moon all while searching out big foot.

WineKeepsMeSane · #5 January 13th, 2012, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by foxfire_ga79

one of the comments under the video was "don't try this with sharks" lmao.
.

bahahahahahaha!

HappyHippy · #6 January 13th, 2012, 05:11 PM

I've actually heard that it is very peaceful and calming, and if you read birth history books you will find that certain tribes use to give birth in the ocean with dolphins swimming by. The men use to make a circle around the birthing mom and they'd have spears to keep away sharks.

I really don't think this is about one upping the next mom, nor do I think it's over the top, since it's documented in books from many years ago. I just think this is a preferance that a small number of women have, and if it works for them and they're doing it safely, then have at it. It's not my cup of tea.

foxfire_ga79 · #7 January 13th, 2012, 06:01 PM

Yes, the beach is peaceful and calming. And yes, dolphins sure are cute and fun. Just because people did things hundreds of years ago and those things got written in books doesn't mean those things aren't over the top. Just check out some of the initiation rites of some of those tribes for when the boys are ready to be men.
There are many ways of relaxing during labor that don't involve being in the ocean with predatory animals swimming around you, as proven by the billions of women who have given birth nowhere near an ocean.
Besides, I know my luck. I'd be floating around relaxing, and a wave would wash a jelly fish right onto my snooch.

HappyHippy · #8 January 13th, 2012, 06:54 PM

Actually I believe this tribe still does it, and it wasn't 100s of years ago. One of the videos I've seen with a dolphin birth is that they are in a big tank thing with the dolphin, they aren't in the ocean.

I'm not saying that his is the only way to relax, as that's obviously not true, I just don't think this is as ridiculous as some think. I wouldn't do it as I wouldn't be able to relax giving birth in the ocean or in a tank with anything, but I think if this isn't dangerous (which I don't know because I doubt there is a study done on it) then it should be an option for women to experience with caregivers who are trained in this kind of birth.

glasscandie · #9 January 14th, 2012, 08:47 AM

I think the vid is poorly named. I was waiting for the dolphin to nose the baby to the surface of the water or something. If they paid those dolphins for their assistance, they should look into getting their money back, because all they did was swim around and be dolphin-like.

plan4fate · #10 January 14th, 2012, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by foxfire_ga79

Yes, the beach is peaceful and calming. And yes, dolphins sure are cute and fun. Just because people did things hundreds of years ago and those things got written in books doesn't mean those things aren't over the top. Just check out some of the initiation rites of some of those tribes for when the boys are ready to be men.
There are many ways of relaxing during labor that don't involve being in the ocean with predatory animals swimming around you, as proven by the billions of women who have given birth nowhere near an ocean.
Besides, I know my luck. I'd be floating around relaxing, and a wave would wash a jelly fish right onto my snooch.

hahahahahahaha!!!!!

MommaLexi · #11 January 14th, 2012, 12:38 PM

I think this is super dumb. Why in the heck would you want your baby born into water that has been pooped and peed in by those dolphins, that has who knows what kinds of bacteria?

HappyHippy · #12 January 14th, 2012, 01:53 PM

^ That is usually the same argument made by waterbirthing, minus the dolphins.

Fluffy Baby · #13 January 14th, 2012, 08:07 PM

I love that if you can't understand it, it is dumb or stupid or weird.

Lash · #14 January 14th, 2012, 08:21 PM

Maybe they should call it birthing NEAR dolphins?

HappyHippy · #15 January 15th, 2012, 11:44 AM

Or maybe just waterbirth with dolphins.

fluffycheeks · #16 January 15th, 2012, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MommaLexi

I think this is super dumb. Why in the heck would you want your baby born into water that has been pooped and peed in by those dolphins, that has who knows what kinds of bacteria?

This is totally what I was thinking as well, but I tend to be a bit of a germaphobe about stuff like this. From the sounds of it, it was a public beach too, so I don't think dolphin poop and pee is even going to be the grossest stuff floating around in that water. Definitely not the environment I'd want to introduce my newborn into. And way different from a home waterbirth, before anyone else compares them, where YOUR bacteria (which the baby is already used to) is the only bacteria floating around.

MommaLexi · #17 January 15th, 2012, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fluffycheeks

This is totally what I was thinking as well, but I tend to be a bit of a germaphobe about stuff like this. From the sounds of it, it was a public beach too, so I don't think dolphin poop and pee is even going to be the grossest stuff floating around in that water. Definitely not the environment I'd want to introduce my newborn into. And way different from a home waterbirth, before anyone else compares them, where YOUR bacteria (which the baby is already used to) is the only bacteria floating around.

Ditto! Judge me all you want for calling it dumb, but seriously, that's just asking for a disease or infection...

ChristyRVT · #18 January 17th, 2012, 11:51 AM

I have it on very good authority (a professional dolphin trainer) that these "wise, peaceful" creatures will often bite and have been known to ram a pregnant woman in the abdomen. Doesn't exactly sound safe to me.
Dolphins are animals. Intelligent, fascinating animals, but still animals. I think it's arrogant to assume we know them well enough to put ourselves in such a vulnerable position with them.

Quantum_Leap · #19 January 17th, 2012, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChristyRVT

I have it on very good authority (a professional dolphin trainer) that these "wise, peaceful" creatures will often bite and have been known to ram a pregnant woman in the abdomen. Doesn't exactly sound safe to me.
Dolphins are animals. Intelligent, fascinating animals, but still animals. I think it's arrogant to assume we know them well enough to put ourselves in such a vulnerable position with them.

I agree with this completely. Dolphins are wild animals, not mystical, sentient creatures who can shoot healing rays out of their noses. Sure, they're pretty and all, but that certainly does not make them qualified 'birth attendants.' They're also CARNIVOROUS, and would probably be attracted to the scent of placenta/blood. I just think that birthing anywhere near them is a phenomenally dumb idea, both for the mother, the baby, and probably the dolphins as well.

BIRTH is natural. Birthing in close proximity to animals of another species, who have no vested interest in behaving kindly to you, is not natural. (Jesus in the manger notwithstanding). I don't know of any other mammal species that seeks out others of a different species to birth near, so why should we? There is no evolutionary or physiological reason that dolphins would have any benefit to contribute to a human birth.

Rinchan · #20 January 21st, 2012, 10:09 AM

lol Penn and Teller did an episode on this. When their episode was filmed, the lady who claims to do dolphin births had never actually done one up until that point. She had a four month pregnant woman swiming in deep water.

I would not trust dolphins. They are a wild animal and can be very unpredictable. They are also not as peace loving as many people claim they are.