[Vocabulary] underwater births of the Sheldrake Islanders

[atabitaraf]

What is the meaning of this expression I found in my English learning book?
"underwater births of the Sheldrake Islanders"
Thanks,

 

[emsr2d2]

I assume it means that women from the Sheldrake Islands choose to give birth to their babies underwater.

 

[atabitaraf]

Perfect, yes, it was one of the medical uses of water from around the world. You got it.

 

[Raymott]

Does it come with any other context. It's like a strange phrase to put on its own.
But from what you've given, it would seem that each word is to taken literally. [Some] Sheldrake Islanders give birth underwater.

 

[emsr2d2]

I'm not sure I would call choosing a water birth to be "a medical use of water".

 

[atabitaraf]

I'm not sure I would call choosing a water birth to be "a medical use of water".

No, you wouldn't, it's something among the medical uses of water the text says.

 

[emsr2d2]

That's the same thing. Even if it's "among the medical uses of water", I find it unnatural.

 

[Raymott]

Hydrotherapy is a medical use of water. I think it's quite fair for women to claim that giving birth is not a medical event, unless it becomes one or is made into one.