NicaraguaJosy Cornelius, 38 years old, caused controversy when she repeatedly went to the beach to give birth without medical assistance.
At the end of 2023, this woman gave birth to her fifth child on the Caribbean Sea of Nicaragua. Josy believes that a free water birth, without the help of medical professionals, will be good for the child.
“As soon as my first child was born in a sea in Germany, I chose the next sea to labor. I planned the births very meticulously because I had practical knowledge," Josy said.
Josy and her husband Benni, both 43 years old, immigrated from Germany to Nicaragua. Before giving birth to their fifth child, Maui, the couple had three sons and one daughter. Josy worked in cardiology and also volunteered at a children's clinic that specializes in caring for premature and high-risk babies. She also completed neonatal intensive care training.
After deciding to welcome their youngest child in the Caribbean, Josy's family moved to a nearby island two months away from her due date. Everything was carefully planned by the mother of five children, but she could not have predicted that her water would break in the middle of the night.
The 38-year-old woman also posted a video on her personal page about the birth process. In the clip that attracted nearly 19.000 views and more than 900 likes, Josy holds her newborn baby right in the sea.
Josy Cornelius gave birth to her fifth child, Maui, in the Caribbean Sea of Nicaragua, at the end of 2023. Screenshots
Under the post, many online users expressed their support and congratulations to the family. “I absolutely adore you. The way you are doing it proves that women can have children the way they want”; "Hope the best and luckiest things will come to the little angels of the family," some people wrote.
However, there are still people who do not support Josy's approach. They are concerned that giving birth in seawater could be dangerous for the child because of concerns about infection and lack of hygiene.
Josy Cornelius holds her baby a few days old after giving birth on the Caribbean Sea, late 2023. Photo: @oceanbirthmom
In 2022, Josy and his wife faced criticism when they shared the moment of giving birth to their fourth child at Nicaragua's Playa Majagual beach, without a nurse.
There are no statistics on the number of spontaneous births in the world each year, but the number is believed to be very small. This method of birth was controversial when in 2018, a woman in California, USA, labored for 6 days and the child died due to lack of timely medical intervention.
Nurse midwife Liesel Teen, founder Mommy Labor Nurse shares: “Unassisted birth is not something I would ever recommend. In particular, giving birth at sea poses many risks such as water temperature, fluctuations in tides and waves as well as the risk of infection due to harmful bacteria or pathogens in the water."
Professor Asma Khalil, vice-president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ROCG), said women have the right to give birth in an environment in which they feel comfortable.
“But the most important thing is to promote safety. Not every birth is without complications, and delays in accessing medical assistance cause unpredictable consequences," Professor Asma said. Experts also advise that whether giving birth at home or anywhere, you should have the support of a midwife to ensure safety.
Jossi and her husband Benni, 43, immigrated from Germany to Nicaragua. Image: @oceanbirthmom
Despite opposing views, Josy believes that free birth is still safe if you master the knowledge. The birth of baby Maui helped her family fulfill their goal of having children under the sea.
“My five children were all born from five seas in the world. That's what makes me happiest," said the mother of five children.
Minh Phương (Follow Dailymail)
