Dolphin-Assisted Birth (DAB) is the practice of delivering a baby in water while in the presence of dolphins, either in the open ocean or a captive environment. Medically and scientifically, this practice is considered unsafe and entirely unsupported by evidence. DAB is not a recognized form of medical care and carries substantial risks for both the mother and the newborn.
How the Practice Became Popular
The concept of dolphin-assisted birth emerged from the broader, unsupported idea of dolphin-assisted therapy. The practice traces its roots back to the 1970s, with Russian midwife Igor Tscharkofsy, who experimented with water births in the Black Sea. Tscharkofsy theorized that the presence of dolphins would help newborns acclimate to the water and accelerate their development.
This idea gained widespread attention through New Age centers, particularly the Sirius Institute in Hawaii. Proponents were drawn to the idea of a “natural” birth environment and a perceived connection between humans and cetaceans. The appeal centers on the belief that these intelligent mammals possess a calming presence that reduces the stress of labor. This romanticized view of dolphins provided the context for people to seek out this exotic and unregulated birthing method.
Lack of Biological and Medical Evidence
The core claims made by advocates of dolphin-assisted birth are based on biological mechanisms that have no clinical foundation. One widely cited theory is that dolphin echolocation, a form of biological sonar, emits sound waves that are therapeutic for the mother and baby. Supporters suggest this sonar is more powerful than medical ultrasound and can reduce pain or promote relaxation.
However, no credible, peer-reviewed scientific studies support the idea that dolphin sonar has a beneficial effect on human labor or fetal development. Claims about enhanced infant growth or reduced pain perception remain anecdotal, lacking the rigorous methodology required for medical validation. Studies supporting general dolphin-assisted therapy, the precursor to DAB, have been criticized for methodological flaws, making it impossible to draw valid conclusions about efficacy. There is simply no empirical data demonstrating that dolphins possess a unique biological ability to assist or improve the human birthing process.
Significant Health and Safety Hazards
Giving birth in an uncontrolled environment like the ocean or a dolphin enclosure poses immediate threats to the mother and newborn. A primary risk is the potential for serious infection from waterborne pathogens and bacteria. Marine environments, whether open sea or captive tanks, harbor numerous microorganisms, including E. coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, that can cause life-threatening infections in a newly delivered infant.
Physical dangers are also substantial, including the risk of drowning in an uncontrolled aquatic setting during labor and delivery. Furthermore, dolphins are large, powerful animals whose behavior is inherently unpredictable, even in captivity. Male dolphins are known to engage in aggressive behaviors, including infanticide and rough play that could result in physical trauma to a mother or infant. Relying on an untrained animal for assistance during a procedure where minutes determine the outcome of an emergency is inherently dangerous.
Medical and Ethical Rejection
Major medical bodies, including various obstetric and pediatric associations, have rejected dolphin-assisted birth. The consensus among healthcare professionals is that the practice is unsafe, unproven, and poses unacceptable risks to the health of the mother and child. The lack of trained medical personnel, sterile conditions, and equipment makes it impossible to manage common complications, such as fetal distress or postpartum hemorrhage.
Beyond human safety concerns, the practice is widely condemned on ethical grounds by animal welfare and veterinary groups. Using highly intelligent animals in an unregulated, high-stress situation raises serious concerns about animal welfare. Forcing dolphins into proximity with humans during a vulnerable biological event constitutes exploitation, subjecting the animals to undue stress and potentially altering their natural behavior for a perceived human benefit that lacks scientific justification.