What no one anticipated, however, was what occurred just moments after bodhi was born.
As josy cradled her newborn in the surf, a group of startled beachgoers stood frozen at a distance, unsure whether they were witnessing a medical emergency or a spiritual ritual.
Some started recording on their smartphones, while others hurriedly dialed for assistance—unaware that everything was following Josy’s meticulously planned course.
One man, a local fisherman, reportedly shouted warnings about strong undercurrents nearby, sparking a brief panic among onlookers.
But josy remained calm, focused, and seemingly unfazed, her confidence leaving even the skeptics questioning what they had just witnessed. Was this recklessly hazardous—or powerfully instinctual?
—
A viral video emerged when a mother gave birth alone in the ocean, while her partner used a sieve to catch the placenta.
A new mother has gone viral after sharing a video of herself giving birth to her son in the pacific ocean, without any medical assistance.
In a widely viewed instagram post, 37-year-old josy peukert recounted how she and her 42-year-old partner, benni cornelius, drove to playa majagual in nicaragua to fulfill her dream of a ‘free birth’ — a natural delivery without scans, hospitals, or doctors.
The video, which has garnered over 200,000 views, captures the laboring woman in the surf, with waves crashing against her back as she experiences contractions.
‘i felt amazing — the rhythm of the waves matched the rhythm of my contractions,’ josy shared
Although there is limited data on global statistics for free births, it is believed that the practice is uncommon but is gaining popularity. Nevertheless, it has also ignited discussion. For instance, in 2018, a woman in California experienced a stillbirth after enduring a six-day labor without any medical assistance, sparking discussions about the risks associated with unassisted childbirth.
Josy shared her reasoning: ‘I had this dream of having a water birth, and all the elements fell into place on that day, so I decided to go ahead with it.’.
As labor started, Benni took her to the beach, equipped with a birthing kit that contained paper towels, gauze, towels, and a bowl with a sieve to collect the placenta. The couple’s other children were entrusted to stay with their friends during the summer vacation.
After Bodhi was born, I rinsed off in the ocean, dried off with towels, and we packed up and went home. ‘We all snuggled up in bed together,’ she said. Later that evening, they used luggage scales to determine that baby bodhi weighed 3.5 kg (7 lbs 6 oz).
A mother of four, josy emphasized that she wanted a birth free from medical intervention. ‘doctors and midwives often interfere with what a woman’s body is naturally capable of,’ she said.’my first birth in a clinic was traumatic, so with each pregnancy i took more control. i wanted to be in a place where i could trust my body and my instincts.’ By my third, even having a midwife present at home felt intrusive.
This time, josy opted for complete autonomy — no doctor’s appointments, no scans, no due dates. ‘we simply trusted the baby would come when ready,’ she added. ‘with just my partner, the waves, and myself, there was no fear — only peace and love.’.
She expressed a profound sense of spirituality: ‘the gentle volcanic sand beneath me served as a reminder that life exists only between heaven and earth.’.
Josy gave birth to her son, Bodhi Amor Ocean Cornelius, on February 27, 2022. He is now 13.5 weeks old. She had been keeping an eye on the tides for weeks to guarantee safety: ‘i knew the beach would be peaceful enough when the time came.’.
‘bodhi is such a calm, content baby He feels most at ease in my arms, just as he did in my womb,’ she said.
Josy and Benni, who first met in Germany, now reside in Nicaragua with their blended family of seven children. Their first child together, Marley Mune, is two years old.
Josy shared the story of Bodhi’s birth on Instagram using the handle @raggapunzel, with a total of 6,800 followers. The video of Bodhisattva’s Birth in the Ocean was an instant hit online.
However, Joy’s experience also attracted criticism. Some people had concerns about the cleanliness and safety of giving birth in the ocean. ‘Is it hygienic?’ one person asked. ‘That poor baby, going from the warmth of the womb to the cold sea water,’ another commented.
Josy replied: ‘bodhi was born in the scorching midday sun, with temperatures reaching around 35°c (95°f). We were indifferent to the heat. I conducted extensive research prior to the birth and had no concerns about infections. “Water has been demonstrated to be an effective natural boundary in the field of medicine.”
‘i desired a profoundly connected, self-directed birth experience — and that’s precisely what we achieved This pregnancy was a blessing, and we couldn’t have asked for anything better.
Despite the criticism surrounding her unconventional choice, Josy Peukert remains steadfast in her decision to give birth in the ocean, viewing it as a deeply personal and empowering experience. For her, it wasn’t just about rejecting medical norms—it was about embracing her body, immersing herself in nature, and welcoming her child into the world in a way that felt authentic and true to herself.
Although rare and controversial, josy’s story sheds light on the increasing number of mothers who are choosing to have a more natural and spiritual experience during childbirth. With baby bodhi growing strong and healthy, Josy hopes her story encourages others to embrace the natural process of birth, guided by intuition, trust, and love.