I came across this article on my facebook newsfeed this morning about a Lotus Birth.
Before today, I had no clue what lotus births were or even that you could choose whether to keep the umbilical cord attached or not. My mind and soul was intrigued.
For anyone, much like myself this morning, that doesnt know what a lotus birth is, it is defined by a website called Lotus Birth as:
Lotus Birth is the practice of leaving the umbilical cord uncut, so that the baby remains attached to the placenta until the cord naturally separates at the navel, exactly as a cut cord does 3-10 days after birth. Lotus Birth is part of the continuum in the development and unfolding of the human organism. Lotus Birth is also part of the continuum of awakening consciousness expressing itself via the birth process.
The natural order of things
Many believe that "there is no flaw in the way that God designed any part of the process." To this I believe to be true. Whether it be God (As such) or nature itself, there is such a beautiful process of human life from conception, to delivery, to breastfeeding and so fourth. Which got my thinking, why mess with it?
In the article from this morning, this mother, named Vanessa Fisher, opted for a lotus birth with her newest edition because of that simple statement - The natural process has already deemed itself to be beautifully orchestrated, why mess with it?
She explained that "In the days following his birth, the cord became very dry and brittle like a twig. On day five, the cord snapped. The placenta was separate, and a portion of the cord remained connected to the naval. On day nine, the remaining piece of the cord detached from the naval. The process was successful. It didn't cause any infection or discomfort to the baby"
The reasons people think it is wrong
Now of course, there are always going to people that dont agree. There are always going to be people that have their own opinions which wont coincide.
From the article, this mother, Vanessa, explains the different reasons her family and friends didnt agree with her decision to keep the umbilical cord connected after birth. Some reasons included:
- The placenta is definitely unattractive.
- The placenta being attached would require that they be even more careful with the baby.
- It is unsanitary and uncivilized.
From an article I found, Lotus Birth: Does Not Cutting The Umbilical Cord Benefit Baby?, The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (RCOG) released a statement in 2008 which stated
“If left for a period of time after the birth, there is a risk of infection in the placenta which can consequently spread to the baby,” Patrick O’Brien, an RCOG spokesperson, said at the time. “The placenta is particularly prone to infection as it contains blood. At the post-delivery stage, it has no circulation and is essentially dead tissue.”
'If women do opt for umbilical non-severance, the RCOG strongly recommends that their babies be monitored carefully for any signs of infection.'
If it aint broke, dont fix it
From what I read, there is a risk for infection in almost any decision you make but does this decision take preference because of the benefits it allows?
A lotus birth ensures time for a full placental blood transfer to baby, it is believed that it ensures less emotional trauma for baby as opposed to detaching the umbilical cord after birth and allows for a more natural birth cutting out any unnecessary medical interference.
I am yet to have a child of my own but upon discovering this article I am intrigued with the Lotus Birth and wonder if perhaps it would produce many benefits for baby after birth.
I would love to know what you think
Are you for or against Lotus Births? Have you opted for a Lotus Birth yourself and if so, how did you find the experience?