Galax Daily

The captivating moments of a baby’s underwater birth have enchanted and delighted everyone.

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by

Hong

Josy Peukert posted her original video on Instagram in February, but it’s now gaining traction, amassing over 200,000 views thanks to word-of-mouth spreading on social media.

The unconventional underwater birth of the 27-year-old has led commentators to alternately hail it as “empowering” and “risky,” but she dives in fully as she explains her motivation.

“Because the conditions were right that day, that’s what I did,” Peukert told Jam Press about her special delivery, which took place on the sandy shore of Playa Majagual, Nicaragua.

 

 

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The aspiring mermaid mom said she was inspired to have a “freebirth” – meaning an unassisted birth – in the sea because she wanted to showcase what the female body could do on its own, without traditional medical intervention.

“The idea of giving birth in the ocean came to me,” explained Peukert, who moved to Nicaragua from Germany. “For weeks, I monitored the tide, so when the right time came to give birth, I knew the beach would be safe for us.”

When labor finally began on February 27, Peukert’s existing children stayed with friends, while her 42-year-old husband, Benni Cornelius, brought her to the beach with towels, gauze, and a container with a strainer to catch the placenta.

“We didn’t have a due date or a deadline for the baby to arrive; we just trusted that our baby would find its way,” said Josy Peukert.

That’s when the maritime magic happened.

In the 50-second video embedded above, the mother can be seen kneeling in the wave as she goes through her contractions. Then, the footage shows the excited mother in the water embracing her newborn, who still has the umbilical cord attached.

“The waves had the same rhythm as the contractions; that gentle flow made me feel really good,” described Peukert of the ocean birth episode. “The soft volcanic sand beneath me reminded me that there’s nothing more between heaven and earth, just life.”

The nautical nurturer added: “I had no fears or worries about welcoming a new little soul into our lives, just me, my partner, and the waves. It was beautiful.”

“Is this hygienic? There are many bacteria in the sea,” wondered one skeptic, while another wrote, “What a shock for that little one, from a warm womb to the cold ocean.”

 

 

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Josy Peukert and Benni Cornelius moved to Nicaragua from Germany. Mom Peukert dismissed criticism, explaining: “Bodhi was born under the midday sun when it was about 35 degrees; we weren’t worried at all about him being cold, and I had no concerns about waterborne infections.”

After giving birth to their son, Bodhi Amor Ocean Cornelius, the happy couple drove home and weighed the child, who tipped the scales at 7 pounds and 6 ounces.

Along with the symbolic gesture of giving birth where life began, Peukert wanted to avoid previous traumatic experiences she had while giving birth in the hospital.

“My first birth was traumatic in a clinic, and my second birth was at home, but even a midwife in my home was too much for the third,” lamented Peukert, who has seven children with her husband. “This time, I had no doctor’s appointments or scans or external influences.

“We didn’t have a due date or a deadline for the baby to arrive; we just trusted that our baby would find its way.”

Peukert opted for a “freebirth” due to previous traumatic experiences she had while giving birth in the hospital.

And Peukert claims the saltwater birth has paid dividends, as Bodhi is a “really calm and content baby.”

“Everything is wonderful for him if he’s in mom’s arms,” she gushed. “He’s as relaxed as he was in my womb.”

Her unconventional birthing method was praised by many commentators, with one Instagram fan writing: “What a legend, what a mother, what a lucky child! Pure nature is all you need.”

 

 

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“Can’t help but think about how much that saltwater will aid in healing. Congratulations,” said another.

 

 

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