Lotus Birth is the practice of leaving the umbilical cord uncut after the third stage of labour so that the baby remains attached to both cord and placenta until they naturally separate from the umbilicus. This practice, named after the woman who brought it to the western world, Clare Lotus Day, is sometimes referred to as fourth stage of labour, non-severance or second birth. Lotus Birth is practiced by some Indigenous Australian tribes, Balinese, the Kung tribe in Africa and occurs in some parts of Russia and India. Early American pioneers, in written diaries and letters, reported practicing nonseverance of the umbilicus as a preventative measure to protect the infant from an open wound infection. Some species of monkey also do not sever their baby’s cords. However, cutting a baby’s cord once the placenta has been birthed is a widespread and ancient practice. Lotus Birth is a new tradition in the western world, and while uncommon is becoming more popular as many parents are returning to natural birth.
In past times there have been some very good reasons for severing a newborn’s cord. It was prudent that traces of birth were quickly removed. This also meant that a new mother was more mobile in the event that she did have to flee from a predator. Another reason for cutting the cord was hygiene. When living in isolated tribal situations, new mothers and their babies were vulnerable to infection. Eventually, humans began living in larger communities; however, it was some time before large populations were managed hygienically. Today, unless you are living in unclean conditions, and particularly if you are birthing at home amongst familiar germs, infection need not be of concern. When a cord is cut, an opportunity for infection is created. While this risk is very small it is completely avoidable with a Lotus Birth. A further reason we traditionally cut babies cords is due to cultural practices, throughout history, such as not allowing a baby to take colostrum, binding a baby, early weaning and cutting cords, intentionally interfered with the early mother/infant attachment. These detached practices previously served the purpose of creating more aggressive people and, therefore, superior warriors. This was advantageous when conquering the natural world and other tribes, and meant survival of ones own group of people. Lotus birth slows down the processes in the after birth period, drawing focus on the needs of the baby, allowing bonding, intimacy and integration to occur. Lotus Birth is often seen as a way of prolonging the birth of the baby, extending their transition into our world in order to make it as gentle and gradual as possible. Lotus born babies will sometimes show through their body language that they are aware when their placenta is touched. Parents report that their Lotus babies are more serene than most newborns and notice a definite change in their demeanour when their cords detach. Some cultures believe that energy passes between the baby and its placenta long after the placenta has ceased to be a functioning organ.
No matter what significance the parents see in leaving the placenta attached it seems that a common impact of Lotus Birth is the difference in the way the baby is treated.
Today, there are no medical or cultural reasons for cutting a baby’s cord. Due to changes in our cultural and societal imperatives it can now be said that for the future preservation of our species and planet it is sensitive rather than aggressive people that are needed. We are learning that a close attachment with our parents as a child is vital if we want to raise adults who honour their natural instincts and who care for others and our planet. One way we can achieve this is by abandoning past detached parenting practices and embracing gentle ways of life. As life starts with birth the best way of making changes towards a more nurturing world is by beginning with the most gentle of births and continuing with the most attached and gentle parenting.
PHYSIOLOGICAL BENEFITS OF DELAYED CORD CUTTING:
* Maximum maternal antibodies are received by infant.
* The baby receives full benefits from the placental blood including platelets that clot the blood, plasma (proteins of the blood), white cells to fight infections, red cells that have iron and carry oxygen to all cells, stem cells that replace worn out cells, hormones and enzymes and iron reserves. The deeper vein remains open and it is believed that the baby's body closes the umbilical vein when the baby's blood volume has reached the right levels.
* Less Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS), especially in premature infants.
* Less chance of infant brain damage (i.e., cerebral palsy, schizophrenia, autism).
* Higher infant blood pressure.
* Less need for blood transfusions for premature infants.
* Less chance of organ damage from schema in premature babies.
* Improved infant renal (kidney) function.
* No need to clamp before cutting because all the vessels have closed naturally.
SOME REASONS PARENTS CHOOSE A LOTUS BIRTH:
* Improved breastfeeding success rate.
* Possible faster healing of the umbilicus.
* To avoid unnecessary risk of cord infection.
* Personal preference for a completely natural intervention-free birth.
* No need to worry about clamping or cutting the cord.
* Respect for the baby and placenta/spiritual reasons.
* Encourages maximum mother/baby bonding.
* Limits visitors who may prefer to wait until the cord separates.
* To promote mother/baby attachment, less passing around of the baby.
* To allow the most gradual and peaceful transition into this world for the baby.
* Baby and mother get maximum rest in the quiet still environment.
WHO CAN HAVE A LOTUS BIRTH?
Nearly everyone can have a Lotus Birth if desired. The only medical reason for cutting a baby’s cord is if the cord has torn or the placenta has been damaged during a c-section. Whether you are having a homebirth or a hospital birth you have the right to insist that the cord not be severed. Caesarean section babies can be removed from the womb with their umbilical cords and placentas intact and unclamped.
CARE FOR THE PLACENTA AND CORD DURING A LOTUS BIRTH
After the placenta is birthed it is inspected as usual to check that is it intact. Care must be taken to keep the placenta fairly level with the baby for several minutes after the cord has stopped pulsing to allow the Wharton’s jelly to solidify and blood transfusion to cease.
The placenta should then be thoroughly drained, thoroughly washed and dried. At this stage the placenta can simply be placed on a clean cloth and left to air dry naturally. Often, the placenta is packed with salt to facilitate the drying process. In addition essential oils and dried herbs/flowers can also be applied to aid preservation. A cloth of breathable fabric can be used to contain any salt/herbs/flowers/oils in place. The wrapped placenta may be kept in a placenta bag made especially for the purpose. The placenta will become drier, smaller and lighter every day and the cord will become brittle until it falls off naturally.
Care should be taken to ensure the placenta remains close to the baby to avoid tugging on the cord. When feeding or cuddling your baby ensure the placenta is carefully placed to avoid it slipping. Babies appear to be sensitive to when their placentas and cords are being touched. It is important to treat placentas gently and remember to create a peaceful environment during this time of transition.
The mother can care for the placenta herself, or if she prefers or is unable to care for it, this role can be taken on by the father, doula or other support person.
LOTUS BIRTH EQUIPMENT
Supplies for a Lotus Birth are very straight forward and what you have on hand in your own home will suffice. A common supply list would include: 1. A large bowl to birth the placenta in. 2. A large sieve to strain the placenta for the fist 24 hours. 3. An absorbent cloth to place placenta on or wrap the placenta in. 4. Sea salt, dried flowers, dried herbs or essential oils if desired. 5. A placenta bag if desired. An absorbent placenta wrapping cloth is used to wrap a baby's placenta during a Lotus Birth. It can be made of any breathable fabric and often towelling is used. It serves to absorb fluid and contain any salt, herbs, spices or dried flowers that have been used to pack the placenta to aid the drying process. Many parents choose to enclose the wrapped placenta in a decorative placenta bag. It can be as simple as a clean pillowslip or a purpose made bag. It must be large enough to contain the fresh placenta including any salt/herbs and wrapping cloths used. It can be made from any breathable fabric and of any design that pleases the mother. Some are very plain and others intricately decorated perhaps with motifs that are symbolic to the baby’s family. Placenta bags might also be used over and over, shared amongst Lotus Birthing friends, even becoming heirlooms over time. It is best if a non slip fabric is used such as cotton, linen or velvet.
AFTER THE BABY IS LOTUS BORN
The average time for a Lotus Birth baby’s cord to come off naturally is three to ten days after the birth. Research has found that there is a direct relationship between the time the cord is cut after birth and the number of days it takes for the navel to heal. When the umbilical cord is cut immediately, the average length of time required for the navel to heal is 9.56 days. When cut after the cord stops pulsing it is an average of 7.16 days. When later, as happens in a Lotus Birth, the average time is 3.75 days. Personal preference determines what happens to the placenta after it has detached from the baby. Some mothers like to keep the placenta close to the baby for some time after it has detached. Some parents freeze it. It can also be further dried to preserve it indefinitely. To achieve this it can be wrapped in a breathable piece of cloth and placed in an airy spot to dry out naturally, or the process can be hastened by using the sun, an oven or a dehydrator. One the placenta has fully dehydrated it can be placed back into a placenta bag or into a decorative box or simply kept in a simple cloth.
Some families choose to honour the placenta by burying it and often perform a ritual, which may include planting a tree over the placenta. If doing this with a placenta that has been salted it is best to choose a plant species that is tolerant of high levels of salt in the soil such as an Australian native coastal plant.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: Will the cord or placenta rot or smell bad?
A: No. So long as you allow the placenta to dehydrate sufficiently it will not rot and should smell only very faintly and never unpleasant.
- Care should be taken to thoroughly wash then dry the placenta after the initial draining.
- The placenta should never be placed in an airtight container.
- The placenta should never be wrapped in non breathable fabric.
- Sea salt can be used to promote dehydration.
- Herbs, flowers and oils can be sprinkled on the placenta to keep it pleasant smelling.
- Wrappings and salt/herbs/oils should be diligently replenished daily.
Q: Is it difficult to change baby’s nappy during a Lotus Birth?
A: No. It is best if baby is dressed in loose clothing/nappies with front fastenings.
Q: Can you bathe baby during a Lotus Birth?
A: Yes. Depending upon the length of your baby’s cord you may be able to simply keep the placenta close by a baby bath. Some parents float the placenta in a waterproof container such as an ice cream container keeping it close to the baby in the bath. The cord may rehydrate somewhat where it comes into contact with the water and this is okay.
Q: Does the placenta need to be kept on top of baby?
A: No. Always keep the placenta close to your baby ensuring the cord is not pulling. When carrying your baby you can bundle both baby and placenta up as one. Lotus Born placenta bags are designed so that the drawstrings double as a handle for ease of movement.
Q: Can you still eat the placenta (Placentaphagia) if having a Lotus Birth?
A: Yes. Some women do choose to take small portions of the still attached raw placenta after consultation with the baby. It is recommended that this is done within 24 hours of the birth. It is best not to treat the placenta with herbs or salt until you have taken any pieces for consumption. See recommended website below for more information.
Q: Can you still encapsulate some of the placenta to use in Chinese Medicine?
A: Yes. If you want to dry some of your baby’s placenta in order to encapsulate it this should be taken within 24 hours of the birth. Alternatively, the placenta can be kept on ice effectively keeping it fresh until it has detached and you can then proceed with encapsulating. It is best not to treat the placenta with herbs or salt until you have taken any pieces for consumption.
Q: Does having a Lotus Birth take a lot of time and energy?
A: No. The initial washing, drying, packing and wrapping should take around 10 minutes and after that repacking and wrapping the placenta will take 5-10 minutes or less each day. Depending upon how many absorbent cloths you have you may also need to launder them.
Q: What if I want to cease the Lotus Birth before the cord detaches?
A: If at any time you are uncomfortable or unsure if the drying process is progressing as it should i.e. if you notice an unpleasant smell, there is always the option of severing the cord knowing that your baby has not experienced any of the drawbacks of early cord clamping and severing
Q: Do I need to cover the cord during the Lotus Birth?
A. There is no need to cover the cord which will become very dry within the first 24 hours.
RECOMMENDED RESOURCES:
Book: Lotus Birth by Shivam Rachana (www.lotusbirth.net)
Book: A Lotus Birth, Jenny Hatchs Pregnancy Journal (www.amazon.com)
DVD: Lotus Birth: The Waterbirth of the Malcom Twins (www.lotusbirth.net)
Youtube: Lotus Birth and the Baby Moon
Natural Childbirth Tips From Midwives: Lotus Birth
Join the Facebook Group – LOTUS BIRTH https://www.facebook.com/groups/9305505230/?fref=ts
Lotus Birth by Shivam Rachana http://www.bellawitch.com/lotus_birth.htm
Lotus Birth Frequently Asked Questions http://www.lotusfertility.com/Lotus_Birth_Q/Lotus_Birth_QA.html
International College of Spiritual Midwifery http://www.womenofspirit.asn.au/LotusBirthText.htm
Lotus Birth – A Ritual For Our Times by Sarah J Buckley http://editor.nourishedmagazine.com.au/articles/lotus-birth-a-ritual-for-our-times
Lotus Birth Benefits – Leaving Nature Intact. http://thebasicsofanything.com/lotus-birth-benefits-leaving-nature-intact
Natural Birth – Lotus Birth http://eabicbahamas.ning.com/profiles/blogs/natrual-birth-lotus-birth
Birth Injuries Related to Umbilical Cord Clamping www.cordclamp.org/
My daughter’s birth story - The Lotus Birth Of Aalia Lakshmi Rose by Sam Pearson can be found at the bottom of this page at Natural Parenting http://www.naturalparenting.com.au/blog/article-category/placentas/
Lotus Birth Art http://www.durgabernhard.com/item.php?type=card&id=3
Lotus Birth and Placentophagy http://www.glorialemay.com/blog/?p=226
From Sacred Birthing: “Lotus Birth lengthens the peace of the womb.” http://www.sacredbirthing.com/lotus-birth/
Lotus Birth by Shea Caplice http://www.sheacaplice.com/content/articles/articles/LotusBirth.pdf
ABOUT LOTUS BORN PLACENTA BAGS
Lotus Born placenta bags are suitable as a placenta cover while your Lotus Baby is transitioning and are lovely to keep the preserved placenta in once your baby has been Lotus Born. Made from non slip fabric they close with a drawstring at the top. The gathered part can be left out or tucked in for a neater look. The ties stay firmly but are easy to get loose again. Once secured in a double knot you can use the loops as a convenient handle.
They will comfortably accommodate a new placenta with plenty of room for salt/herbs and absorbent wrappings. Depending on how many layers of absorbent wrapping you use you may find on the first day you are unable to fully close the opening of the bag. This is fine and your baby’s placenta will quickly shrink by the second day. Placenta bags are designed as a decorative covering. You will want to ensure your placenta is wrapped in an absorbent cloth before placing it in the placenta bag. Hand wash in cold water.
ABOUT LOTUS BORN ORGANIC DRYING HERBS
Our Drying Herbs can be sprinkled over your baby's placenta each day during the transition phase of a Lotus Birth to facilitate the drying process. They can be used in conjunction with salt. An absorbent wrapping cloth may be used to contain any herbs and salt you use to pack the placenta.
This herb mix is a combination of: Chamomile Leaves, Echinacea Flowers, Echinacea Root, Echinacea leaves, Lavender Essential Oil, Lavender Flowers, Marshmallow Root, Rose Otto Essential Oil, Rosemary Leaves, Sage Leaves, Witch Hazel Leaf, Uva Ursi and Yarrow Flowers.
This blend of herbs can also be used as a post natal bath tea to aid recovery for both mother and baby. A small handful of the herb mix can be tied into a piece of muslin, cheesecloth or other very thin cotton and placed into the bath. This soothing bath tea prevents infection, relieves pain and bruising, reduces swelling and promotes healing. Safe for episiotomy stitches, perineum tears and after caesarean.
ABOUT LOTUS BORN ABSORBENT WRAPPING CLOTHS
Absorbent placenta wrapping cloths are for use during a Lotus Birth to surround the placenta during the transition period. These cloths can also serve the purpose of containing any herbs or salt used to pack the placenta to facilitate the drying process.
They can be secured by tying the ends or using a nappy pin.
Once wrapped in an absorbent wrapping cloth the placenta may be placed in a decorative placenta bag.
Initially you may want to use two cloths at once but your baby's placenta will dry very quickly and by day two one cloth should be sufficient. After your baby has been Lotus Born these cloths can be used as newborn nappies. They are 48cm x 48cm (regular flat terry diapers are around 60cm x 60cm) making them perfect to use for newborns up to 3 months old. After that they make ideal booster inserts for cloth fitted or flat nappies. Soak and machine/hand wash in cold water. Washing these cloths several times before use is recommended and will increase their absorbency.
ABOUT LOTUS BORN CHEESECLOTH WRAPPING CLOTHS
Once your baby is Lotus Born the placenta should be dried out enough that you no longer need absorbent wrappings and can use a cheesecloth wrap to surround your baby's placenta and umbilical cord before placing it in a dry, airy spot to continue drying. Once your baby's placenta is completely dried you can keep it wrapped in this cloth and place it in a placenta bag or decorative box. These wraps are made from 100% cotton cheesecloth and can be secured by tying. Soak and machine/hand wash in cold water.
LOTUS BORN PLACENTA KIT INSTRUCTIONS
Congratulations on choosing a Lotus Birth for your baby and thank you for purchasing a Lotus Born Placenta Kit.
Our Lotus Birth Kits contain:
1 Placenta Bag.
125g packet of Organic Drying Herbs.
3 Absorbent Wrapping Cloths made from cotton terry towelling (after your baby is Lotus Born these can be used as newborn cloth nappies).
1 Cotton Wrapping Cloth for use after your baby’s transition.
Other supplies you will need:
1 large sieve.
1 large bowl.
An old towel to dry the placenta after the initial washing.
Sea salt to pack the placenta to facilitate the drying process (optional).
Nappy pins or tie (Note: nappy pins are different from large safety pins because they have a locking mechanism ensuring they can’t accidently come undone.)
1. BIRTHING THE PLACENTA
You can birth the placenta any way that suits you…into a bowl, onto a towel, in the birth pool etc.
2. DRAINING THE PLACENTA
Once the placenta has been birthed place it a large sieve over a large bowl to drain for up to 24 hours. Care should be taken to ensure the bowl is not knocked over. If you are placing the bowl onto a bed a large rolled up towel around the base can help stabilise it.
3. WASHING THE PLACENTA
After the placenta has thoroughly drained the placenta should then be thoroughly washed in luke warm water. Ensure all blood clots are thoroughly removed.
4. DRYING THE PLACENTA
Gently pat dry the placenta ensuring there are no pockets of water remaining in the caul.
5. WRAPPING THE PLACENTA
The placenta can then be placed onto one of the Absorbent terry towelling Wrapping Cloths and sprinkled with the drying herbs before securing the Wrapping Cloth. If you are using salt to facilitate the drying process pack the placenta with salt before sprinkling it with the drying herbs. To do this lay out the Wrapping Cloth, place a thick layer of salt in the middle of the cloth, place the placenta on top of the salt and proceed to pack salt around the placenta finishing with a sprinkle of drying herbs. The Wrapping Cloth can be secured with nappy pins, a snappi or a long shoestring or other suitable tie. Both cloth and salt/herbs should be refreshed daily or as needed. The wrapped placenta can be placed into the decorative Placenta Bag and should not need washing until the Lotus Birth is complete.
6. AFTER THE PLACENTA HAS DETACHED
Once your baby is Lotus Born many mothers prefer to still keep the placenta close to baby for some time. When you are ready you can wrap the placenta in the thin cotton wrapping cloth which can then be placed in an airy position to continue dehydrating. Once the placenta is fully preserved you can place it back into the washed Placenta Bag or into a decorative box or bury it – the choice is yours.
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