Nicaraguan Josy Cornelius, 38 years old, caused controversy when she repeatedly went to the sea to give birth without medical assistance.
In late 2023, this woman gave birth to her fifth child in the Caribbean Sea of Nicaragua. Josy believes that giving birth freely in the water, without the help of medical professionals, will be better for the child.
"As soon as my first child was born in a German sea, I chose the next seas to give birth. I planned my births very meticulously because I had practical knowledge," said Josy.
Josy and her husband, Benni, both 43, immigrated to Nicaragua from Germany. Before the birth of their fifth child, Maui, the couple had three sons and a daughter. Josy worked in cardiology and volunteered at a children’s clinic that cared 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 before her due date. Everything was planned meticulously by the mother of five, but she could not have foreseen 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, which attracted nearly 19,000 views and more than 900 likes, Josy holds her newborn baby right in the ocean.
Josy Cornelius gave birth to her fifth child, Maui, in the Caribbean Sea of Nicaragua in late 2023. Screenshot
Under the post, many netizens expressed their support and congratulated the family. "I absolutely admire you. The way you are doing is a testament to the fact that women can give birth the way they want"; "Wishing the best and luck to the little angels of the family", some wrote.
However, there are still people who do not support Josy's method. They are concerned that giving birth in sea water could be dangerous for the baby due to concerns about infection and lack of hygiene.
Josy Cornelius holds her baby a few days after giving birth in the Caribbean Sea, late 2023. Photo: @oceanbirthmom
In 2022, Josy and her husband faced criticism when they shared the moment they gave birth to their fourth child at Nicaragua's Playa Majagual beach, without a midwife.
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 caused controversy when in 2018, a woman in California, USA, was in labor for 6 days and the baby died due to lack of timely medical intervention.
"Unassisted childbirth is not something I would ever recommend," says Liesel Teen, a midwife and founder of Mommy Labor Nurse . "In particular, ocean births come with many risks, including water temperature, the variability of tides and waves, and the risk of infection from harmful bacteria or pathogens in the water."
Professor Asma Khalil, vice-president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (ROCG), said women had the right to give birth in an environment where they felt comfortable.
"But the most important thing is to promote safety. Not all births are complication-free and delays in accessing medical support can have dire consequences," said Professor Asma. Experts also advise that whether giving birth at home or anywhere else, midwives should be present to ensure safety.
Jossi and her husband Benni, 43, immigrated from Germany to Nicaragua. Photo: @oceanbirthmom
Despite the opposing views, Josy believes that open childbirth is safe if you have the knowledge. The birth of baby Maui has helped her family achieve their goal of having children at sea.
"My five children were all born from five seas around the world. That's what makes me happiest," said the mother of five.
Minh Phuong (According to Dailymail )
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