Good Morning America takes on Waterbirth

Last week, Good Morning America tackled the topic of water birth since it has been hitting the public spotlight more frequently in the wake of Gisele’s tale of home birth in her penthouse bathtub. I heard word on the street that Barbara Harper from Water Birth International was going to be part of the segment, but I was greatly disappointed when she was not. I really think there was a mis-communication, and all Barbara provided was clips of water births. But either way, I was excited to watch.

Until I watched…
They had their “investigative reporter” who was an elderly gentleman interviewing a high risk OB/GYN from one of the largest Boston hospitals. I hardly find this woman to be an “expert” in water birth, and I am willing to bet she has NEVER delivered a baby, under water.
During the segment, this woman listed a laundry list of risks, and minimal benefits to laboring in the water, and made sure to say that if she does have a patient that makes the choice to labor in the water, they must always exit the water when it is time to push, get back in bed with their legs up in the air. Classic lithotomy position which we all know is probably the worst possible position to give birth in…

Anyways, I move on, this expert even went as far to say there have been cases of stillbirth associated with water birth, which after my research since February 2nd when this aired, I have not seen one case of stillbirth associated with water birth. I am not sure where this woman came up with this, but she is clearly wrong.

But everyone will believe her for two reasons.
1) She has MD after her name
2) She was on a morning talk show discussing birth.

It is sad that the piece was not what it really should have been. I can say to ABC I am very disappointed in not having a real expert like Barbara Harper, not someone who has never even witnessed a water birth.

For more information on Water Birth, visit the Waterbirth International Website.
Be sure to tune in to the Momotics Radio Show on March 3rd at 10pm EST for a segment about Water Birth with Thee Barbara Harper!

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10 comments

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1

By: Katherine

The saddest part is that many people will have their minds made up by this ‘news story’ and won’t bother to do any of their own research so they can form their own opinion.
.-= Katherine´s last blog ..An Open Letter To Sean’s Teeth =-.

2

By: Danielle

That is the biggest problem that I have with this…. and the Today Show’s segment about cesarean sections the other morning. It is crap information being given, and they aren’t going to retract what they said!

3

By: Bess Twitter: @MumtoEve

I agree- they aught to have had a midwife (or even an OB) who is experienced with water births talking- not this woman who seems to have no actual experience with water births. If you want to gets facts about a subject- you should go to the experts in the field who have experience with it. So sad that these people will influence so many women’s decisions.

oh and LOL at the “awkwardness” of getting in and out of the water. SERIOUSLY? how hard is it to get into a tub??? My goodness.
.-= Bess´s last blog ..The Purpose of Discipline and How to do it. =-.

4

By: Danielle

I was thinking the EXACT same thing about the tub!!
Maybe the “awkwardness” for the DOCTOR who wants her vag right at face level in that stupid little chair!

5

By: TheFeministBreeder Twitter: @feministbreeder

I don’t think you have enough room on your blog for all the expletives I want to type on my screen right now.

I. have. had. it. this. week. with. bull. fucking. shit. reporting. on. birth.

That’s all I can say, or my head will pop off my body.
.-= TheFeministBreeder´s last blog ..You Guys are Making Me Cry =-.

6

By: Danielle

Have I told you lately…. that I love you?

7

By: chukwumaonyeije Twitter: @chukwumaonyeije

Your points (and the points made by others on this topic) are well taken. To be honest, I don’t think an MD would be qualified to talk about water birth unless they actually participated in and performed water births.

Frankly, when I was in Medical school it was described in a way that made it seem frightening and dangerous. Anyone (in my class at least) who never heard anything else about the topic would have been left with a negative perception. And the problem is that that negative impression would *not* be based on actual evidence but rather on an inaccurate filter.

True story. I once worked at a hospital where we covered midwives that did water births. My colleague told me that I should “stay away from the water birth room” and that the midwives would call me “when a disaster was taking place”.

I never got called. Hmm?

8

By: Danielle

I am so glad you came over and commented on this!
I completely agree about this woman not really being “qualified” to discuss it, and I think that is where Good Morning America really dropped the ball.
My question is, as a Doctor, have you ever heard of a case of stillbirth with water birth? Or is that even medically possible?
That has really been eating at me since the viewing.

9

By: Hillary Twitter: @hillaryboucher

UGH! They made it sound like they are going to cut the cord under water and the baby could drown.

And who said a baby needs to cry when they are born?

This guy did a really bad job in this interview. Where is the other side?

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