What constitutes a successful water birth? One might immediately respond, ‘a healthy mother and baby’. But I believe there is a deeper answer.

Over the past three decades, I have assisted hundreds of women in the birth pool. I have observed closely, listened carefully, and recorded many actions and characteristics in mothers and their caregivers. I have heard many caregivers and mothers retell their stories to friends, families, and to their babies. Over 2500 women have completed surveys about their water birth experience through Waterbirth International, often using the same words to describe how their babies responded after birth and in the months and years that followed (Harper 2008). At first I thought it was just the fact that the babies were born in water that caused them to be alert, calm, responsive, connected, present and aware. I’m not completely convinced that it was just the water that caused this response. I now believe a host of other actions, thoughts and feelings contribute to welcoming bright, aware babies.