INTRODUCTION:

Lotus birth or umbilical nonseverance is a little known practice that is growing in popularity. Usually the cord is cut and clamped just following the birth and disposed along with the placenta, but in a lotus birth the cord is never cut and the placenta-Baby’s first companion remain attached to the baby until it naturally falls.

Many ancient scriptures indicated that many holy men such as Buddha, Vishnu, and Christ had umblical nonseverance. Just like the lotus flower, the umbilical cord stalk that rises out of the placenta has various unique similarities with the lotus leaf pad and stem. The fresh lotus stem is very strong, yet flexible like the umbilical cord. The lotus leaf has similar lacy vein patterns to the fetal side of the placenta. Some animals (chimpanzees) in nature allow their babies' placenta to fall off on their own.

Lotus birth:

Lotus birth is the practice of leaving the umblical cord uncut, so that the baby remains attached to his/her placenta until the cord naturally seperates at the umblicus, by three to ten days after birth (exceptions being placenta accreta or a significantly compromised mother or baby).

The baby, cord, and placenta are treated as one unit, as they are all originate from the same cellular source and existing within the same auric field, with energy transfers continuing to take place gradually from the placenta to the baby via the umbilical cord till the placenta dries out. This prolonged contact can be seen as a time of transition, allowing the baby to slowly and gently let go of their attachment to the mother’s body.

Advantages:

· The placenta contains quite a bit of extra blood, rich in nutrients and oxygen, that boosts their immune system which continue to pass to the child till the placenta dries out.

· The mother gets to hold the baby during the birth of the placenta, which is an enjoyable bonding experience;

· Lotus birth babies don't usually lose the weight and they are less likely to have breastfeeding jaundice.

· There is a lower risk of navel infection, open wound infection as seen in cut cord and the navel tends to heal two or three weeks faster.

· It also supports the child's young liver, lungs because the placenta continues to pump out toxins while still providing oxygenated blood to the child.

· Lotus birthed babies seem more relaxed, peaceful, calm, healthy and more content than their counterparts whose cords are immediately cut.

· The cord usually separates by the third day, leaving behind no stump. You can bathe the child while as the cord is still drying rather than waiting for a stump to detach.

Disadvantages:

· The baby is unable to be taken away for checking and tests immediately after birth, as it is still attached to the placenta, which is still inside the mother.

· The placenta can become a hindrance when carrying the baby around, etc.

Why do a Lotus Birth?

· “When the cord isn’t cut, the placenta actually transfers about 100ml of blood come back from the placenta into the baby in the first 3 minutes after birth. And if the cord is cut suddenly, the baby doesn’t receive about 1/3 to 1/2 blood supply and they experience it as a hemorrhage.”

· The baby and placenta actually live within the same auric field, protected by an energetic womb.” When the cord is cut at birth and the placenta is removed, half of the aura is suddenly gone. This looks like a torn bubble whose edges are flapping openly around the baby, offering no protection.

· The placenta -babies first possession, the baby’s first object and it was evidenced through ultrasound, babies has seen licking the placenta and putting their head against the placenta.” The baby is very sensitive to the handling of the placenta and it perceives the placenta as a supportive person.

· Many times babies will start to cry as soon as the doctor or midwife goes to cut or handle the cord. When the cord is cut is often the exact timing that the baby suddenly goes into distress, this can be emotional or physical and also elevates infant adrenaline levels.

· Protecting the umbilical cord upholds the energy field and protects baby’s immune system. Keeping the cord intact keeps baby’s aura intact. Birth can happen the way nature intended, without any hovering scissors.

How is a Lotus Birth actually practiced?

When the placenta is born, it is kept at the same level as the baby to allow for full transfusion of nutrient rich blood and hormones. There is no rush to do anything with the placenta - it is often just wrapped in a soft cloth near the mother during the precious first hours of bonding after the completed birth.

Then rinse the placenta first, and remove clots and the placenta is placed in a special bowl or wrapped in a ceremonial cloth. Powdered herbs such as Lavender, Goldenseal, Rosemary or Tulsi may apply for preservation during the drying process, and re-applied daily. Sea salt is also applied generously on both sides to aid drying and minimize scent. Most people find that rapping/covering the placenta is more convenient and cord detaches often by the 3rd postpartum day leaving a perfect navel.

CONCLUSION:

Lotus birth is a relatively new evolution of birth for humans. These intact Lotus babies loses no energy just trying to stabilize their systems in the early postpartum hours and this shows on all levels (relaxation, bountiful healthy weight gain, core muscle strength, fine and gross motor skills and alert observation of the world around them). Their greater capacity for relaxation, compared to nurslings who had early cord severance and placenta loss, is apparently a metabolic foundation for life and makes teething and other developmental stages much less distressful. It could be concluded that Lotus birth gives babies lifelong coping skills.

REFERENCES:

1. Davies, Leap, McDonald. Examination of the Newborn and Neonatal Health: A Multidimensional Approach, Elsevier Health Sciences, 2008.

2. Buckley MD., Sarah. Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering, Australia, 2006

3. World Health Organization (WHO). Care in normal birth: A practical guide, report of a technical working group, Geneva, Switzerland, 1997

Received on 15.07.2011 Modified on 13.08.2011

Asian J. Nur. Edu. and Research 1(3): July-Sept. 2011; Page 92-93