Lotus birth
Lotus Birth
Lotus birth (pronunciation: /ˈloʊtəs bɜːrθ/), also known as umbilical nonseverance, is a practice in which the umbilical cord is not cut after childbirth, allowing the baby to remain attached to the placenta until the cord naturally separates.
Etymology
The term "lotus birth" was coined by Claire Lotus Day in the 1970s to describe this method of leaving the umbilical cord uncut. The term "lotus" is a reference to the Lotus flower, which is associated with purity and beauty in several cultures.
Procedure
In a lotus birth, the umbilical cord is not clamped and cut immediately after birth as in a traditional medical birth. Instead, the cord is allowed to pulse and transfer blood from the placenta to the newborn until it naturally stops, which can take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours. The placenta is then usually treated with salts and herbs to aid in preservation and to reduce odor, and is kept in a container or cloth wrap near the baby until the cord dries and naturally separates from the baby's belly button.
Related Terms
- Umbilical cord: The tube that connects a mother and her fetus, allowing for the transfer of oxygen and nutrients to the fetus and the removal of waste products from the fetus.
- Placenta: An organ that develops in the uterus during pregnancy, providing oxygen and nutrients to the fetus and removing waste products from the fetus's blood.
- Childbirth: The process of delivering a baby and the placenta, amniotic sac, and umbilical cord from the uterus to the vagina to the outside world.
- Medical birth: A birth that takes place in a hospital or birthing center, typically involving medical interventions such as the use of drugs for pain relief or to induce or speed up labor, and the cutting of the umbilical cord immediately after birth.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Lotus birth
- Wikipedia's article - Lotus birth
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