X
theAsianparent Philippines Logo
theAsianparent Philippines Logo
EnglishFilipino
Product GuideSign in
  • Building a BakuNation
  • Becoming a Parent
    • Trying to Conceive
    • Pregnancy
    • Delivery
    • Losing a Baby
    • Project Sidekicks
  • Ages & Stages
    • Baby
    • Toddler Years
    • Preschool Age
    • Kids
    • Preteen & Teen
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • News
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Health & Wellness
    • Diseases & Injuries
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
  • Education
    • Preschool
    • K-12
    • Special Education Needs
  • Lifestyle Section
    • Celebrities
    • Contests & Promotions
    • Home
    • Travel and Leisure
    • Fashion
    • Fitness
    • Wellness
    • Money
  • Become a VIP
  • COVID-19
  • Press Room
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping
  • Awards
    • Parents' Choice Awards 2023

Lotus Birth: The popular birth trend that could cause infection in your newborn

5 min read

“Lotus birth” conjures up beautiful images of nature and serenity, but what it entails may be more dangerous than it sounds.

Lotus births are fast catching on among moms for their supposed nourishing and empowering qualities. In this popular birth practice, moms choose to keep the placenta attached, via the umbilical cord, to their baby after birth.

Typically, the umbilical cord is cut and the placenta removed immediately. In lotus births, however, moms wait till the cord naturally decomposes and falls off the newborn’s belly button.

For a few days, they carry the placenta about with baby in a small pouch or bowl. Moms may also treat it with salt and rub it with scented oils to help it dry out.

View this post on Instagram
Womb mates 💞#placenta #newborn #placentawisdom #wombmates #placentalove #placentaencapsulation #placentaspecialist #firstfortydays #postpartumhealing #postpartumwellness #delayedcordclamping #midwifery #doula #midwife 📷 @kreederphoto.babies ・・・ Looking at his placenta. Taking in this glorious organ that helped give him life! . . . . #birth #birthisbeautiful #birthbecomesher #birthwithoutfear #babyboy #empoweredbirthproject #empoweredbirth #waterbirth #homebirth #gentlebirthoptions #birthhour #thebirthhour A post shared by Placenta Wisdom (@placentawisdom) on May 6, 2017 at 8:16pm PDT

View this post on Instagram
Terimakasih sudah menjagaku selama di dalam kandungan ibu dan mempersiapkan aku untuk memulai perjalanan hidupku❤️ #salma #puput #lotusbirth #placenta #4daysold 📸 Bapak A post shared by atiqah hasiholan (@atiqahhasiholan) on Jun 26, 2017 at 8:04pm PDT

Third stage of birth

Lotus birth sounds unique but harmless — an interesting option for moms who want to celebrate the miracle of birth and the nourishing placenta. Advocates of lotus birth argue that it offers myriad emotional benefits, such as a special period of bonding time between mom and baby.

Dr. Sarah Buckley, New Zealand family doctor and mom of four, calls it a “beautiful and logical extension of natural childbirth.”

“[It] invites us to reclaim the so-called third stage of birth, and to honour the placenta, our baby’s first source of nourishment,” she says.

Dr. Buckley has gone through lotus birth for her younger three children, after the “strange and uncomfortable feeling” of cutting her first child’s cord. “The feeling for me was like cutting through a boneless toe, and it felt good to avoid this cutting with my coming baby.”

She describes how her children have experienced cord-cutting as a form of emotional pain. Emma, she says, “remembered the unpleasant feeling of having her cord cut, which she describes as being ‘painful in my heart’.”

Thanks to these spiritual associations, lotus birth is becoming the perfect choice for new parents who see sacred qualities in the childbirth process.

On the health side of things, however, things are not so cut-and-dried.

Dead and decomposing tissue

https://www.instagram.com/p/BNy8B__BP0Y/

It stands to reason that leaving a mass of decomposing tissue attached to your newborn poses risk of infection. Experts have pointed out that infection in the decaying organ can easily spread to the baby.

“The placenta is particularly prone to infection as it contains blood,” says Dr Patrick O’Brien, spokesperson for Britain’s Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

“Within a short time after birth, once the umbilical cord has stopped pulsating, the placenta has no circulation and is essentially dead tissue.”

Dr Jennifer Guntner, American OB/GYN, puts it more bluntly. “Why anyone with an understanding of modern microbiology would promote leaving a newborn attached to dead, decomposing tissue that could be a [source of] infection is beyond me,” she tells ATTN.

“Bacteria grows very quickly in dead tissue and stagnant blood. Historically, [the placenta] has been discarded. I think if it had benefits, that wouldn’t have become the norm.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/BTb100pltgX/

There is some medical truth to the benefits of postponing cord clamping. Delayed umbilical cord clamping “increases hemoglobin levels at birth and improves iron stores in the first few months of life, according to a 2017 report by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

However, the recommended delay time is around 30-60 seconds after birth — way below the hours, even days, that lotus birth calls for.

After these few seconds, the cord has completed circulating the last of its blood to your newborn, says OB-Gyne Dr William Scheizer. It stops pulsing, collapses, and no longer has medical value, he tells Livestrong.

The idea behind lotus birth may be beautiful, but the very real risks to your baby may make you want to rethink it. Moms who do choose not to sever the umbilical cord are recommended to watch their newborn for unusual symptoms or signs of infection.

Moms, what do you think? Have you tried lotus birth, or would you try it in future? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

This article was originally published on theAsianparent Singapore.

READ: 3 Umbilical cord dangers to watch out for during labor and delivery

Be sure to check out theAsianparent Community for more insightful stories, questions, and answers from parents and experts alike. If you have any insights, questions or comments regarding the topic, please share them in our Comment box below. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Google+ to stay up-to-date on the latest from theAsianparent.com Philippines!

Partner Stories
Nakakabahalang stretch mark habang nagbubuntis: Ano ang mabisang pantanggal ng stretch mark?
Nakakabahalang stretch mark habang nagbubuntis: Ano ang mabisang pantanggal ng stretch mark?
Drinking Milk During Pregnancy: Is It Really Necessary?
Drinking Milk During Pregnancy: Is It Really Necessary?
Meals and Snacks Perfect for the Third Trimester
Meals and Snacks Perfect for the Third Trimester
Mommy Meals: A Comprehensive Meal Plan for a Healthy Pregnancy
Mommy Meals: A Comprehensive Meal Plan for a Healthy Pregnancy

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

ddc-calendar
Get ready for the baby’s arrival by adding your due date.
OR
Calculate your due date
img
Written by

Jolene Hee

Become a Contributor

  • Home
  • /
  • Pregnancy
  • /
  • Lotus Birth: The popular birth trend that could cause infection in your newborn
Share:
  • Two types of twins and complications of being pregnant with twins

    Two types of twins and complications of being pregnant with twins

  • 3 weeks pregnant symptoms: What happens during the 3rd week of pregnancy?

    3 weeks pregnant symptoms: What happens during the 3rd week of pregnancy?

  • Paninigas ng tiyan ng buntis 19 weeks: Sintomas ng 19 weeks pregnant

    Paninigas ng tiyan ng buntis 19 weeks: Sintomas ng 19 weeks pregnant

  • Two types of twins and complications of being pregnant with twins

    Two types of twins and complications of being pregnant with twins

  • 3 weeks pregnant symptoms: What happens during the 3rd week of pregnancy?

    3 weeks pregnant symptoms: What happens during the 3rd week of pregnancy?

  • Paninigas ng tiyan ng buntis 19 weeks: Sintomas ng 19 weeks pregnant

    Paninigas ng tiyan ng buntis 19 weeks: Sintomas ng 19 weeks pregnant

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Baby Names
    • Delivery
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • Advice for Parenting Kids
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Lifestyle Section
    • Local celebs
    • Celebrities
    • Money
    • News
  • FAMILY & HOME
    • Couples
    • Weekend & Holiday Guide
    • Health
  • Building a BakuNation
    • More
      • TAP Community
      • Advertise With Us
      • Contact Us
      • Become a Contributor


    • Singapore flag Singapore
    • Thailand flag Thailand
    • Indonesia flag Indonesia
    • Philippines flag Philippines
    • Malaysia flag Malaysia
    • Sri-Lanka flag Sri Lanka
    • India flag India
    • Vietnam flag Vietnam
    • Australia flag Australia
    • Japan flag Japan
    • Nigeria flag Nigeria
    • Kenya flag Kenya
    © Copyright theAsianparent 2023. All rights reserved
    About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
    • Tools
    • Articles
    • Feed
    • Poll

    We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

    We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

    theAsianparent heart icon
    Nais naming magpadala ng notification sa'yo tungkol sa latest news at update sa pagbubuntis.