Barbara Harper

Barbara Harper is a birth educator, author, and international advocate for gentle birth and waterbirth. Inspired by her grandmother, a midwife and nurse, she has spent more than 35 years helping families and birth professionals explore safer, supportive approaches to childbirth. In 1988, she founded Waterbirth International after researching water immersion and experiencing its use during her own pregnancy and labor.

Through her work, Harper has traveled to more than 80 countries and trained over 25,000 midwives, nurses, doctors, and other birth professionals. She provides waterbirth training and certification, workshops, consultations, and support for hospitals, birth centers, and health organizations seeking to incorporate evidence-based practices. Her work also includes helping design waterbirth suites and develop maternity-care protocols.

Harper is the author of Gentle Birth Choices and offers teachings and retreats for birth workers, including midwives’ gatherings focused on professional growth and wellbeing. Her broader mission is to expand access to respectful, gentle birth practices and support families and professionals in creating positive beginnings for babies.