Dolphin Tales: Dolphins, pregnant woman
Many reports from pregnant women who have interacted with dolphins in the water suggest that the dolphins exhibit special behavior toward them. Some women describe the dolphins as being more gentle, curious and attentive during encounters. For instance, a dolphin who swims with a female trainer before and after she becomes pregnant might well detect a difference in her echo profile or the pattern of sounds returned by echolocation. Dolphins might even have the ability to detect a fetal heartbeat even before a woman knows she is pregnant.
These accounts describe the dolphins swimming up to the pregnant women and making buzzing sounds near the women’s bellies. Buzzing is a form of very concentrated echolocation which emits a precise beam of sound. The dolphins actually hone in on the belly by putting their snout against the skin while making the buzzing sound. It is believed that the dolphin’s brain produces an image of the object detected by echolocation. The dolphin may not know that this is a developing human fetus but it “sees” the shape of an image.
The sounds produced by the dolphins can travel long distances through water due to the water’s density and unique acoustic properties. Humans may hear the sounds underwater to some extent, but this varies depending on factors such as water depth, distance from the animals and background noise.
According to Mike Walsh, an aquatic animal veterinarian at the University of Florida, water is the perfect medium for ultrasound and echolocation. Just as sonograms give people a visual image of their babies, echolocation gives dolphins a mental image of them.
Dolphins buzz for a variety of reasons, including at other pregnant dolphins. The dolphins also buzz to communicate with their pod and their offspring, even buzzing to discipline their new calves, protecting them from dangerous situations or telling them when it’s time for feeding or playing. Perhaps this is why they hone in on human pregnancies and buzz against their bellies. It may be a protective gesture or simply out of curiosity.
In my career spanning over 45 years, I have had two women on board who confirmed this experience personally while they were pregnant. The dolphins swam up to their bellies, buzzing and curious. Both women found the encounter life changing.
Capt. Cathy Eagle has spent over 45 years boating our local waters. As a professional charter captain, she specializes in dolphin and nature tours. For more information, visit CaptainCathy.com or text/call at 239-994-2572.