hey Ourlux

as a m/w you really cant see whats going on down there if the woman is in a sitting, squatting position...so the only way we would know is if the woman told us (like I did...my baby's head is out) or if she starts to make the pushy noises

in most cases I would think that the m/w would simply birth the baby as per normal and bring them up and out of the water without delay

waterbirth is the same process as airbirth...its just that the medical profession have attached a stigma to it...babies do not take the first breath until 'born' out of the water

if your interested i have a lot of information on waterbirth...its interesting even if you are not planning one

oh and you certainly do not have to be 'alternative' to have a water birth...I love my research based facts, and this is the basis of all my teaching...and I am pretty conservative (personally and professionally) if required

xx yogababy