Couple Plans 'Dolphin-Assisted' Birth; Experts Shocked at Decision
Adam and Heather Barrington want to have a special birth experience, and it is one that many may consider strange. They want to give birth surrounded by dolphins in Pohoa, Hawaii, which some scientists have said is a horrible, dangerous idea.
"It is about reconnecting as humans with the dolphins so we can coexist in this world together and learn from one another," Heather told The Charlotte Observer.
The couple decided to have a "dolphin-assisted" birth after reading "The Ancient Secret of the Flower of Life" and chose to travel to Hawaii for the baby's birth. They are currently staying with Star Newland, founder of the Sirius Institute, which is an organization focused on "dolphinizing" the planet.
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"This means the integration of the Cetacea (dolphins and whales) into our culture," the Institute's website states. "A second goal is the 'humanization of space,' which involves the settlement of the solar system and beyond."
The Barringtons will spend time bonding with a pod of dolphins in order to become accustomed to one another. Their hope is to give birth in the water, surrounded by dolphins.
"Having that connection with the pod of dolphins anytime – even if the birth doesn't happen in the water – still brings peace, comfort and strength to the mother and baby during labor. Dolphins are very intelligent and healing, which in turn calms mother and baby for the whole process," states the website.
Not all people support the Barringtons' plan, though.
"My professional opinion: this has to be, hands down, one of the worst natural birthing ideas anyone has ever had (and that is saying a lot)," Christie Wilcox, a PhD student at the University of Hawaii posted in Discover magazine.
"Because of their friendly disposition and common occurrence in aquariums, we tend to think of dolphins as trustworthy, loving creatures, but let's get real for a minute here. They're wild animals, and they are known to do some pretty terrible things," Wilcox contends.
However, the Sirius Institute maintains that it is a completely safe experience for mother and child.
"Some of the reported occurrences include a mother and a baby playing with the dolphins within 45 minutes of the birth; another instance of a free dolphin escorting a newborn human baby to the surface for its first breath," they said.
It remains to be seen whether the Barringtons will actually go through with the dolphin birth; many of the Sirius Institute's clients have backed out at the last minute.
