Bringing a baby into the world is undoubtedly one of the most special moments in life. But for one British woman, the experience was even more enchanting.
In addition to the support of her husband and a midwife, she had the constant company of her three golden retrievers , Lily, Boris and Darcy.
The emotional moment was shared on social media and went viral, garnering millions of views.
The birth
The woman opted for a home birth and rented a special birthing pool, which was set up in the living room of the house.
While her favorite movies played on TV, she relaxed in the warm water, feeling welcomed by the familiar and peaceful environment.
But what really made this birth even more special was the presence of her canine companions, who were willing to help.
Lily, one of her dogs, wouldn’t leave her side and constantly checked on her, as if to make sure everything was okay.
Her other two dogs, Boris and Darcy, also stood nearby, watching the birth unfold attentively.
In one particularly touching moment, Darcy, one of the golden retrievers, ran to grab a towel as soon as the baby was born , as if she instinctively knew the parents would need it.
“How did he know we needed a towel?” the emotional woman asked on Instagram . “They were the kindest, gentlest boys and girls during the 2.5 days of labor and birth. I truly don’t deserve them.”
Despite needing hospital treatment a few hours later due to a postpartum complication, she described the experience as a “dream birth . “
“It was perfect, surrounded by peace, our animals and nature,” he said.
The birth video quickly went viral on social media, racking up over 6.2 million views on TikTok and nearly a million likes. The post was flooded with emotional and affectionate comments:
“Giving birth surrounded by angels must be paradise,” said one internet user.
“The dog: Human strength, you can do it!” said another.
“The most beautiful video I’ve ever seen, so much purity in one moment,” commented another person.
The positive impact of pets on emotional well-being
The involvement of three golden retrievers in their owner’s birth reinforces an already proven fact: the presence of pets can bring several benefits to the mental and emotional health of humans.
Studies indicate that contact with animals stimulates the release of serotonin and oxytocin , hormones responsible for feelings of well-being and happiness.
According to psychiatrist Graziela Stein, in an interview with Zero Hora , mammals share with humans a highly developed limbic system, which is responsible for emotional responses.
This explains why dogs and cats are able to demonstrate empathy and comfort in times of tension or difficulty.
For adults and seniors, living with pets is also associated with reduced stress and improved anxiety and depression .
“The emotional exchange with a pet provides a sense of being needed and important to another living being. This changes the configuration of neurotransmitters and reduces the secretion of the stress hormone cortisol,” explains psychiatrist Lorena Caleffi.
