#361 | Is Water Birth Dangerous? Barbara Harper Debunks Fallacies
#361 | Is Water Birth Dangerous? Barbara Harper Debunks Fallacies  
Podcast: Down to Birth
Published On: Wed Apr 01 2026
Description: Water birth has long been controversial, but more recently, a wave of claims has emerged from the natural birth community that water birth is dangerous for babies and disruptive to the physiologic process of birth. In this episode, we sit down with midwife Barbara Harper, the world's leading expert on water birth and founder of Waterbirth International, to explain the preponderance of evidence supporting the safety of water birth and to dispel circulating fallacies.We talk about the idea that babies can aspirate water, whether the diving reflex can fail, and the claim that water immersion interferes with a mother’s ability to respond to her baby during birth. Barbara explains what actually initiates a baby’s first breath, how the transition from fetal to newborn circulation works, and why arguments that water immersion causes a disruption to physiology that compromises babies don't hold up when you truly understand the physiology. Join us for yet another educational and fascinating discussion with Barbara.Catch our other episodes with Barbara here:#200 | Physiologic Birth of the Placenta in Water, Optimal Cord Clamping and Preventing Postpartum Hemorrhage with Barbara Harper#122 | Provider Green Lights: Interview with Barbara Harper on Holistic, Respectful & Supportive Birth Providers#100 | The Benefits of Water Birth: Interview With Barbara Harper**********Send us Fan Mail Access our workshops: Have a Physiologic Birth in the Hospital and Ultrasound: The Research vs RhetoricNeeded DrinkLMNT Primally Pure Skincare: Use code DOWNTOBIRTH Postpartum Soothe: Use code DOWNTOBIRTHENERGYBits SuperfoodJoin Patreon hereIG @downtobirthshowCall 802-GET-DOWN. Watch us on YouTube! Please note we don’t provide medical advice.