A mum has divided the internet after a video of her giving birth in the Pacific Ocean went viral.
Josy Peukert, 37, and her partner Benni Cornelius, 42, drove to the beach in Playa Majagual, Nicaragua to deliver their son Bodhi, and later uploaded a video of the experience, which has already earned over 200,000 views.
Watch here:
Kneeling down on the sand while the waves rocked against her back, Josy is seen getting on all fours as she prepares to deliver her baby without medical help.
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Discussing the decision to opt for a sea birth, Josy explained: "I got this idea in my head I wanted to give birth in the ocean and because the conditions were right on the day that's what I did."
The couple brought a birthing tool kit along with them on the day, including towels, a bowl with a sieve to catch the placenta, gauze and paper towels.
Josy said: "After Bodhi was born and wrapped up in towels I went back into the ocean to freshen up. Then I got dressed and we packed everything up and drove home where the three of us got straight into bed."
Thankfully baby Bodhi was born completely healthy at 7lb 6oz.
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Josy, who is now a mum of four, explained that she wanted to give birth with no medical intervention because she believes it takes away from what the female body can do on its own.
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After sharing her experience online, Josy received some comments of concern and criticism about her choice to free birth in the sea.
One commenter asked: "Is this sanitary? There's a lot of bacteria in the sea."
Another worried viewer added: "What a shock for that bubba – from a warm womb to the cold ocean."
However, the mum stood by her decision, assuring them: "Bodhi was born in the midday sun when it was about 35 degrees, we weren't worried at all that he'd be cold and I had no concerns about waterborne infections. He is perfectly healthy. I did all the research I needed to to make sure it was safe."
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She continued: "My first birth was traumatic in a clinic and my second birth was a home birth but by the third even a midwife in my home was too much. This time I had no doctors appointments or scans or outside influence.
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“We didn’t have a due date or deadline for the baby to arrive we just trusted that our baby would make its way.
“I had no fears or worries to welcome a new little soul into our lives, just me, my partner and the waves. It was beautiful."
Josy added that baby Bodhi has been a dream so far, and that he is 'just as relaxed as he was in my tummy'.
Featured Image Credit: Jam Press