What is an ocean birth - and is it safe to have one?
After reading about a mum who gave birth in the Red Sea, we wanted to know about the safety of having a labour in the ocean...
Here at MFM HQ we've seen our fair share of birth pics. But when we spotted this one - of a woman giving birth in the Red Sea - we have to admit we were just a bit ???
Now, of course, we know quite a few people opt for water births. One of the mums on our team did after watching someone do it on One Born Every Minute, and said it was an incredible experience.
But giving birth in the ocean? Now, that's a bit different...
We've read that the woman in this particular photo was a tourist, so no one is sure if she planned to give birth in the sea - but, according to reports, the younger man is her partner and the older man is a doctor specialising in water births.
Ocean births do carry risks, as Dr Saima Aftab, medical director of the Fetal Care Center at Nicklaus Children's Hospital in Miami, told Live Science.
First off, the sea is unpredictable, so there is a chance the mother could drown or be swept away.
In addition, the presence of salt in the water could be very harmful to a small baby if swallowed.
Finally, if the temperature of the water isn't warm enough, the baby could become hypothermic.
In short, Dr Aftab says the best place to have a water birth, if you really want one (after you've been assessed) is in a safe, sterile environment with a medical professional on hand.
What do you think?
Would you ever consider an ocean birth - or would a labour like this be a total no-go for you? Tell us in the comments below or over on Facebook
Images: World News And Everything about Life on YouTube
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Authors
Tara is mum to 1 daughter, Bodhi Rae, and has worked as Content Editor and Social Media Producer at MadeForMums since 2015
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