The Benefits of the Obscure Practice of Lotus Birth

Lotus birth is a little known practice that is growing in popularity. Instead of allowing the umbilical cord to naturally detach from a newborn, one leaves the child connected to the cord and placenta until they dry up after birth. This process can take up to ten days, during which the placenta is kept near the newborn at the same level. Usually the cut cord is cut and clamped just following the birth and disposed along with the placenta, but in a lotus birth the cord is never cut.

In a lotus birth the placenta is kept wrapped in cloth, possibly salted and scented to mask the smell after 24 hours. The umbilical cord is also completely covered in dry cloth. There are cultures who keep the placenta until the child dies, so that it can be buried with him or her. Others dispose of the placenta burying it or simply throwing it away when it has dried out. Many people chose to honor it in some way, such as using a special cloth and decorating it. Usually it is not possible to eat the placenta, as some do, because it has dried out and no longer contains many nutrients.

This practice was named after Clair Lotus Day of California after she observed chimpanzees doing this same thing. In 1974 she convinced her doctor to allow her to bring her baby home attached to the placenta. She felt that he seemed more content and attributed it to feeling secure due to having his placenta still tethered to him. This is considered a very new tradition, but many ancient cultures practiced nonseverance as well. Some animals in nature allow their babies' placentas to fall off on their own, too.

Those who have observed or experienced this note that the babies seem more relaxed and peaceful. They don't usually lose the weight that most infants do, and they are less likely to have breastfeeding jaundice. There is a lower risk of naval infection, and the naval tends to heal two or three weeks faster. The cord usually seperates by the third day, leaving behind no stump. You can bathe the child while as the cord is still drying rather than waiting for a stump to detach. The placenta contains nutrients and antibodies which continue to pass to the child through the umbilcal cord during this process. It also supports the child's young liver, because the placenta continues to pump out toxins while still providing oxygenated blood to the child.

Some consider cord cutting to be violent. They feel the Hippocratic Oath which instructs "do no harm" is better respected by this. People who believe in a gentle lifestyle and gentle way of parenting feel this is easier on the infant. They can slowly let go of their attachment instead of having it ripped away so suddenly. Others speculate that cord cutting may actually cause the child to feel pain. Because the placenta still contains nutrients and antibodies, some see it as wasteful to simply discard it. Many parents do it to give their child a jump start on nutrition by letting their child receive the full blood volume of the placenta, high in nutrients.

Some people leave the cord unwrapped and encourage the process to go as quickly as possible by immediately salting the placenta. Even leaving your baby attached to the placenta for an hour after birth can help prevent breathing problems. Oxygen flows to the baby until after the placenta is dispelled from the womb so that he is never completely oxygen deprived until after the cord is cut. He continues to receive nutrients and be relieved of toxins as long as the cord is intact. Once it is cut he is on his own.

It is possible to lotus birth at home or in the hospital, even in water. It doesn't matter where, as long as you save the placenta, rinse it, and strain it before wrapping it up. You may want to be careful if you deliver the placenta over the toilet; make sure you put a bowl under you to catch it. Most people aren't keen on saving their placentas once they have soaked up toilet water, and no one wants to fish one out of the john anyway! You can lotus birth with multiples and preemies, who especially benefit from this practice.

Whatever your reasons for chosing lotus birth, there are clear benefits to the baby. Lotus birthed babes appear more calm and healthy than their counterparts whose cords are immediately cut. They receive quite a bit of extra blood, rich in nutrients and oxygen, that boosts their immune system. The placenta helps their liver by filtering toxins from the baby's blood as long as the pumping continues. Their navals heal faster, and they can have their first bath sooner. The experience is gentler on the child and very special for all involved.

Unknown, "Lotus Birth." International College of Spiritual Midwifery. URL: http://www.womenofspirit.asn.au/lotus_web/lotus.htm
Unknown, "Lotus Birth." Wikipedia. URL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lotus_Birth