Sunday, July 6, 2008
Because there is no “guide book” for ocean births, I’m sure I’ll have to amend this list as I go along. And maybe you think I’m crazy for bothering to offer what I’m finding. But I decided the other day when the midwife fairy reached out to me with her own resources that I needed to stop whimpering about the lack of resources and shift gears to focus on the resources that ARE available and make them apparent to others who may be interested. So, if you are interested in an ocean birth, here goes…
Much of what we are doing to prepare for this delivery is coming from our own minds, hearts and instincts. It is a series of unexplored paths which we are choosing to intuitively head down. There are, however, a list of things that we need to consider, research, and purchase to plan for this ocean birth. Remember, I’m no expert, but it helps if both you and your partner can have these things clearly addressed before the big day arrives.
- -Read and research as much as you can about ocean births. Know that even though this is considered unconventional, it DOES happen in other parts of the world. Check it out (click here).
- -Watch some of the YouTube waerbirth videos. It’ll give you a sense of what it’s like, the different positions you can put your body in, and how the baby will enter her new environment. I’m not choosing a link, because a) i don’t have permission to use their video with my blog and b) the videos can be VERY intense experiences to watch, and it is up to you to decide how deeply you want to explore this visual experience.
- -Be sure those present for the birth are all on the same page. You don’t need anyone to suddenly lose their cool or not feel prepared when you are in the midst of active labor. You might feel comfortable along the ocean’s shallows or out in the open sea, but be sure those you invite do, too.
- -proper prenatal care. Some women choose to forego this altogether, but do know that most midwifery state law requirements include a series of simple test and check-ups before they can sign on as your midwife. Unless you are thinking about unassisted birth, which is a whole ‘nother path…
- -I’m not a big proponent of any sort of extra medical tests, but genetic tests (click link) do give you some sense of assurance that your little seabean growing within is unlikely to need any sort of special medical and/or technical intervention when s/he arrives. They aren’t always accurate, and can often offer false positives which can lead to more stress and create that endless circle of fear fear fear (and thus create tangible physical problems). Even still, I’m glad I changed my mind and got them (though I opted out of the amniocentesis), because the good results help me feel clear that this birth choice is a healthy one for her.
- -your health: is your diet what it needs to be? Are you getting enough exercise? Have you learned anything about aquanatal (click link) preparation?
- -locations: is the water clean? Free from strong currents and boat traffic? How far from shore are you? What is the accessibility to get back to land should you need to adjust your plans if there is weather or complications?
- -if you are using a boat, does it have a platform? Is the captain qualified, reliable and trustworthy? Will s/he be available for you and your needs at any time you call?
- -radar. What’s up with the weather? Check your local weather (click link) on the internet, if possible . My fellow is a weather fanatic, and I’m certain he’ll be on top of this. Who will be that person for you?
- -back up plans. If there ARE complications, what are your other options? Can you do a home birth? A water birth there? Do you have a pool? Can you order or rent a portable one (click here)? Where is the nearest hospital should you need one?
- -is your car packed with everything you need? (what exactly you’ll need, I’m still figuring out….i’ll post this as I discover it myself).
It goes without saying that time of year and warm water play a big part in the ocean birth element. I’m fortunate to live along the calm waters of the Florida Keys, and that this new person is expected to arrive in September, when the water is quite warm. Still, it also happens to be the height of hurricane season. This, I think, is the most challenging part of choosing this path. I have no clear idea as to what day she’ll decide to arrive (if it is actually day…it could be night!), and if the weather will support this idea. Part of the lesson, I guess, in keeping open to the process and going with the flow….
Logistically speaking, I still haven’t a thorough concept on how this will work out. How can I when I’ve never done it before? But here’s what I do have, gathered in my corner:
- a partner who supports me in whatever birth choice I desire;
- a prenatal care provider that knows of my intentions and has helped guide me with prenatal care for both my body & baby’s that best support that choice;
- a midwife willing to travel down to be part of the experience, an assistant to back her up or come in her place should she not be able to make it;
- a captain with a pontoon boat and a platform to take us out to deeper water should that be where we choose to go;
- e. coli test kits coming my way to be certain the water quality is safe;
- and an endless amount of coves to explore on both the Gulf and Atlantic sides of Summerland, Sugarloaf & the Torch Keys. Something will show itself soon, I’m sure.
It also helps to have a clear idea as to WHY you want to go this route, and to be especially clear and solid about it. People, particularly those who love you and tend to worry, will question you. Yesterday we went out with our friends up the Keys to explore some locales. Unfortunately, the winds, unusual for this time of year, made it too choppy to really be able to do that. We snorkeled over some coral heads, went to some shallows on the edge of their harbor, had some good talk while storm clouds formed over us. The question of just why I want to give birth in the sea came up. “How do you feel right at this moment?” I asked, as we sat in the shallows, watching stingrays swim around us, the clouds form, their dogs paddle back and forth between us and then run happily about on the little island. “Isn’t this one of your most favorite places to be?” They agreed, yes, it was. “Well, I imagine if I have the choice to create the most expansive environment where I feel safest, most relaxed, most open, and happiest, then being somewhere similar to where we are now would be it.” I think they finally got it. “And the dolphins?” They asked. “They aren’t the focal point,” I explained. “But it would be really something if they made themselves visible during the delivery.” There really is no describing what happens to human hearts and the energy field when surrounded by these creatures. (My best offer is to spend a week at Wildquest (click link) to find out).
As it stands now, we have clear communication with our midwife to prepare for a water birth here at the house. This we can plan clearly and easily. If the weather, the time of day, the locations, my sense of sanity and the physical well-being of the baby and me are right, we will move forward with the ocean birth. While I am frustrated by not knowing where those locations are, I am reminding myself to keep the flow of energy positive and vibrant so that one will manifest. I’d like to have more answers, but part of writing this blog is so that I can discover them as I go along….
June 23, 2009 at 1:57 pm
Hi there..wow,someone with the same idea as me..would love to do a ocean birth,and would be the ultimate to have dolphins show up…am not that super stocked up on funds and would like to do it either in mexico or europe?have you gone thru with it?any advise..been on millions of websites,tried to contact loads of midwives,its quite hard to get any info on this type of thing….so any help or advice would be appreciated….
Embraces
October 13, 2009 at 6:44 pm
Hi
I am a midwife in South Florida. I just attended my first ocean birth. It was amazing. I cannot wait until the next dedicated mama comes looking for an ocean birth. Do you know if anyone is collecting data?
Miriam
March 7, 2011 at 2:57 pm
Hi Miriam,
Hopefully you wil get this as it has been a long while since you posted. I would love to have an ocean birth. I do not plan to get pregnant again until a couple of years. I would love your personal insight on this. I live in Northeast Florida and am just now looking into this. As I am researching I am finding that there is not much information on this subject. My main concern would be the legality concerning this and what the community would think if they found me birthing even in a secluded place. Would the coast guard pull up and object while in transition? Would I be hauled off to the nearest hospital or told to leave. I would not want to stir waters of any local authority beofre hand but would it be a good idea to ask around at how if they would handle it at all? Im sure they would be mortified and without any understanding. Have you done any more ocean births since you last posted and have you gathered anymore information on this as of then? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Please feel free to contact me anytime.
March 7, 2011 at 6:57 pm
hi there, this is cricket, the author of a mamma in the making….. you are right, it’s been a long time since i posted! (two littles now, and very little time to write). i hope you find miriam, i talked with her briefly prior to the birth of my second child but couldn’t get things arranged. she is listed in south florida midwives…. i am sorry i can’t at the moment recall her last name.
as far as legality… my thought is …. how could there be a law against birthing anywhere? … don’t ask, don’t tell sort of thing, i guess.
follow your heart, your intuition, and use your brain, right? if you and the baby are healthy….. and you have a willing midwife…. of course there are always complications, but i believe that to be true in any location. it doesn’t hurt to have a hospital nearby should you need one. they have been instrumental in saving some of my friend’s babies recently during birth. and my second was also born in a hospital, here in key west, with a much different experience than the one in miami…. they were wonderful. i would have still prefered to do an ocean birth, but i just couldn’t line up all of the many logisticis to make it safe and simple, especially with a 20 month old in tow.
may you be blessed with the birth you hope for and at the same time not be to attached to that… in the end, no matter how your birth story goes, you hopefully will have a beautiful, healthy baby… and as important as their birth stories are for your emotional well being, they are an incredible platform for growth, and usually the perfect experience to help you to be the best parent you can be.
love and light,
cricket
July 10, 2011 at 10:50 am
I love this article! I feel so much love and hope here! I found this on the web because I just found out I’m pregnant with baby number 3, and I’ve always dreamed of an ocean birth with dolphins. I live in NC, and the baby is due in March (cold!). What is the water like in FL in late March/early April? Where might I be able to get near dolphins with a little privacy (if that is even possible)? My last baby was a glorious unassisted birth, so I’m perfectly fine with, and in fact prefer, another unassisted birth. Any advice is appreciated! Love, Meredith
July 16, 2011 at 12:13 pm
hi Meredith, thanks for commenting, and reading my blog. it’s been a while since i’ve been able to write … surrendered to being as present as possible with my little ones and knowing that my time for writing will come again one day. congratulations on your pregnancy, and best wishes for the birth that you envision. march and april tend to be quite windy here…. but if you know the local waters or connect with someone who does you could find a secluded spot in the back country near the shallows of the mangroves (where the dolphins frequent aroudn here) and could pull it off. if i had my druthers and the finances intact, i would have flown to hawaii and given birth to my second daughter there (see Darlene’s great comment!). it seems much more supported there in all of the variables, from attitudes to weather to water cleanliness to professional input/assistance. instead, i gave birth to my second daughter at the local hospital (though i wanted to do it unassisted at home, my boyfriend did not)l, brought along an image of the dolphins from the pod i once swam with daily while working in the bahamas, and imagined them assisting me ….. darlene is also right about the importance of the father…. or whoever is your birth support. we didn’t end up pursuing the ocean birth for taavi because there were so many details to be considered, and with a partner who wasn’t exactly as into the vision as i was AND a 19 month old to tote along who is very connected to her mamma, i thought it would be better to take the path of least resistance. lol. still, i wish i could have offered these gifts to my children at their birth. instead, i will wait until they are old enough to swim and we will visit the fantastic outfit i worked for in bimini and swim with the wild spotties. and maybe, if the universe hears my prayers, move to hawaii someday. …. ask the universe for help, and you will get exactly what you need for your soul’s growth. my first birth seemed like somewhat of a nightmare, but in hindsight, i see how perfect it was for all involved. namaste, love to you and your babies xo
July 15, 2011 at 8:41 pm
Ive given birth in the ocean to 6 children on Kauai.They are extreme advanced humans.I found the most important aspect is the father…My 15 yr old firl is becoming a pro surfer,amazing coordination.A sponser for pro surf would make bank if they come looking.My kids live in anahola under a fireman,they all surf,amazing.
Her name is Shania weiss.I swam with dolphins.I heard of opcean births off boats too.I had mine in Anahola and anini/
July 16, 2011 at 12:16 pm
that is awesome Darlene. how beautiful for you and your children! i am sure they are very special, and no doubt, being raised by an openhearted, fearless woman has something to do with that. not everyone would feel safe giving birth in the ocean. i think it takes a certain kind of deep knowing withing, and trust, to allow oneself that gift.
December 15, 2011 at 10:53 pm
I was a midwfie and I surf.So I had extreme awareness of my own health.I also ate all raw food and that made me have better circulation,kept me warm…Ocean birth is like big wave riding,its ment for the soul surfer,the people whom are evolving to lead the world,to know that we cant look to the past others for advise,we need to trust our individual inner guidience and the inner guidience of others,its not to be sold.just shared.
December 15, 2011 at 10:46 pm
I have 6 ocean born children.One is 15 and wants to be a pro surfer in Hawaii.her name is Shania,Weiss,anahola Kauai.I have swam with dolphins and done all kinds of weatherd ocean births on Kauai at annini and anahola. heather as a midwife 651 7546