If you’ve heard that lotus birthing is a healthier, more natural option for your newborn, you might be tempted to consider making it a part of your birth plan.
But it’s worth doing some research first and talking with your provider, since the practice doesn’t have any proven benefits and may put your infant’s health at risk. Here’s what you should know about a lotus birth.
What is a lotus birth?
A lotus birth involves umbilical nonseverance, which is the practice of keeping the umbilical cord and placenta intact after a baby is born and letting it naturally separate from the baby rather than cutting the cord immediately or shortly after birth.
This natural separation typically happens three to 10 days after baby's arrival, but in some cases could take up to 15 days. Until then, the umbilical cord and placenta remain attached to the baby.
Lotus birthing is not a mainstream practice, and numbers on how often it's done are hard to come by. But it does seem to be growing in popularity, some research suggests.
How does a lotus birth differ from delayed cord clamping?
Delayed cord clamping is very different from lotus birthing. With delayed umbilical cord clamping, the umbilical cord and placenta are cut 30 to 60 seconds after birth instead of the usual 15 to 20 seconds. In a lotus birth, on the other hand, the umbilical cord and placenta separate from a baby naturally, which can take between three and 10 days or longer.
Delayed cord clamping has clear scientific advantages for babies, especially those that are preterm, and poses no risk to the mom. Research shows that it that it helps improve infant immune function and circulation and increases iron levels, helping to prevent anemia and bowel infections for the child's first year of life.
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Because of those benefits, the practice is officially recommended by the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the World Health Organization (WHO).
The benefits of lotus birthing, on the other hand, aren’t backed by evidence. The practice is not recommended by mainstream medical organizations, and most medical experts say that letting an umbilical cord and placenta separate naturally can put a newborn at risk of serious infections.
What are the benefits of a lotus birth?
Advocates of lotus birthing say the practice allows for a complete transfer of blood from the umbilical cord and placenta back to the baby. However, there is no scientific evidence to support this claim.
Parents who opt for a lotus birth also say that leaving the umbilical cord and placenta intact supports a more natural birth, and that lotus-birthed babies tend to be more serene and peaceful.
What are the risks of a lotus birth?
There’s no high-quality evidence assessing the benefits of lotus births, and the practice is not endorsed by the AAP or ACOG. But several studies have shown that letting an umbilical cord and placenta separate on their own can put a newborn at risk of omphalitis, an infection surrounding the umbilical cord area. These infections can be serious and could lead to septic shock or even death.
Blood stops circulating to the umbilical cord and placenta within minutes of leaving the womb. Once fresh blood is no longer circulating to the tissues, the tissues begin to die (as well as rot and smell). As that happens, the placenta can become colonized by bacteria and potentially become infected. If the placenta and baby are still connected via the umbilical cord, the infection could easily transfer to the baby.
In other words, lotus birthing has been shown to pose life-threatening risks to a newborn, and the claims surrounding the benefits haven’t been proven.
How is lotus birthing done?
It's actually more a matter of what isn’t done. Lotus birthing involves simply leaving the placenta and umbilical cord alone after birth. It’s typically performed in conjunction with home births, since hospitals may refuse to leave a placenta and umbilical cord intact due to the potential infection risks.
Some people decide to wash the placenta and treat it with some salt, herbs or essential oils to help it dry out faster and mask the smell. They may also put the placenta in a bag or wrap it in a blanket or towel to absorb moisture and carry it along with the baby. These practices haven’t been proven to protect the placenta or reduce the risk of infection.
Just like a traditional cut umbilical cord stump, eventually the cord and placenta will dry out and fall off, usually within a few days to a week or longer after birth.
How do I care for my placenta after a lotus birth?
Lotus births come with serious health risks, and most medical experts don’t recommend them. If you choose to do one, take the following steps to protect the area around your baby’s belly button and umbilical cord.
Keep the placenta near your baby and lift or hold your baby carefully with clean, thoroughly washed hands to reduce the chances of the cord being tugged, which could potentially cause the cord to be pulled out before it’s ready to fall off. Dress your baby in loose, comfortable clothing that opens in the front too.
Don’t attempt to remove the umbilical cord yourself. It should fall off naturally within three to 10 days after birth, but in some cases it could take up to 15 days. If you decide that you want to remove the umbilical cord before it’s ready to fall off, call your baby’s pediatrician.
Pay attention, too, for signs of a possible infection. Seek immediate medical care for:
A pus or fluid-filled lump near the umbilical cord area.
Red, warm or swollen skin near the umbilical cord area.
Cloudy, foul-smelling discharge or blood coming from the umbilical cord or navel area.
A fever greater than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit.
Irritability, lethargy, trouble feeding or decreased activity.
Should I try a lotus birth?
If you’re considering the lotus birthing method, proceed with caution. Ultimately, there's little research that supports the benefits of lotus births and good evidence showing that the practice can be harmful.
But if it's something you absolutely have your heart set on, talk to your doctor or midwife when you're working on your birth plan. They'll help you minimize the risks and determine if there's a way to do it as safely as possible.
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