I’m sure you have heard about “Lotus Birth”, maybe even seen a few pictures that had you like WTF is that?… Well we got the answers to why so many mothers are choosing (& have been for a really long time) this method of birthing for you to better understand exactly what it is & the benefits it gives 🙂Â
What is it?
A lotus birth is the act of leaving the newborn baby’s umbilical cord uncut after birth. The mother will then deliver the placenta which will be kept connected to the baby by his/her cord until it naturally falls off. This can take between three to ten days.
How Does It Work?
During this period, the placenta will need to be salted regularly and a means of carrying and transporting it will be required. Some mothers choose to carry the placenta separately from the baby, wrapped and placed in a colander, or in a specially made bag.Â
Why Do Mothers Choose To Do This?
There is little to no scientific evidence on the benefits of lotus birth. Here are a few ways lotus birth has been said to help:
*Babies that received delayed cord clamping are less likely to be iron deficient.
*Not cutting the cord allows babies to have full access to the blood they were meant to have.
*Decreases anemia in the first year of life helping babies to get smarter faster.
The History Behind It?
Early American pioneers, in written diaries and letters, reported practicing nonseverance of the umbilicus. This was as a preventative measure to protect the infant from an open wound infection.
In the 1980s, yoga practitioners brought the idea to the United States and Australia. The preciousness of the placenta in which the lotus is held is deep in the Hindu and Buddhist faiths”.