Video of woman giving birth quickly and easily in water viewed more than 16 million times
Audra Lynn appears to undergo just a handful of contractions before her baby is delivered with ease
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Videos of mothers giving birth are generally an intimate record of a major life event designed only for the eyes of close family.
Not so the case of Audra Lynn. A video of her water delivery has gone viral, seen by more than millions viewers stunned by way in which her baby appears to pop out with the minimum of fuss.
In all, more than 16 million people have watched the footage after it was uploaded to Instagram and Facebook on 3 September.
The midwife, Lisa Marie Sanchez Oxenham, who filmed the birth, said that the baby’s head was already out which viewers could not see in the video.
Ms Lynn appears to have a few contractions before the baby is smoothly delivered. She holds the baby close and says: "My baby son".
The midwife said it was an "incredible moment".
"My client Audra's beautiful second home birth," she wrote alongside the video. "A midwife's role is fluid, providing whatever is necessary for each individual birthing experience, although almost always that role is simply to offer the gift of quiet."
The video attracted more than 23,000 comments.
One user wrote: "Thank you for sharing such a beautiful moment! It brings back memories, awesome memories!"
Another comment read: "So beautiful! Bless all of you congratulations."
Ms Oxenham said she believed the video went viral because it was a "beautiful moment" and that it took place in an "intimate, private and relaxed atmosphere", as reported by the BBC.
"That is something we just don't associate with childbirth anymore and certainly don't see enough of," she added.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments