LOTUS AND HALF LOTUS BIRTHS
Lotus Birth, or umbilical non-severance is the practice of leaving the umbilical cord uncut, so that the baby remains attached to the placenta until the cord naturally separates at the umbilicus (navel), generally 1-5 days after birth (as compared to approximately 2-18 minutes when the cord is clamped and medically cut Leaving a stump with a plastic clip). This way of gentle cord detachment has been practiced in Native American, Egyptian, Indian and Asian ancient cultures for millennia.
Half Lotus Birth, the origins of what is called now a half lotus birth are from Native American traditions, it’s being "baptized" with the term Half Lotus Birth due to the similarities to the Lotus Birth. How are they different? in the Half Lotus, the placenta is left attached to the baby for a minimum of 4 hours and then the umbilical cord is gently burned with a candle until complete separation of the cord occurs (around 5 -15 minutes, depending on the cord's thickness), this permits a complete cauterizing of the cord and no clamping is necessary, the stump of the cord tends to dry out and separate in only 2 or 3 days after birth. While the cord is being burned, baby relaxes and songs or prayers are offered for his/her life.©
"We need to relearn what a birth can be like when it is not disturbed by the cultural milieu. We need a reference point from which we should try not to deviate too much. Lotus Birth is such a reference point." -Michel Odent
Which are physical and emotional benefits of the Half Lotus and Lotus Birth?
Half Lotus and Full Lotus Placenta care and preparations
Both Half Lotus Birth and Lotus Birth if practiced correctly will allow for placenta encapsulation. I will help you care for the placenta and guide you and your family through the process if you decide to practice either of these umbilical nonseverance methods.
If you have opted to have a Half Lotus Birth I will care for the placenta after the birth and help you with the burning of the cord, providing all the necessary supplies. If I am not your Birth Doula, All supplies necessary for the process will be delivered to you 2 weeks before your Due Date, with instructions for the early handling of the placenta, I will be there 1 hour after you call me to proceed with the cord burning.
The placenta will be placed in an sterilized bowl beside the mother and kept cool for the time you decide to leave baby attached (I recommend a minimum of 4 hours), when the family is ready, baby is fed and relaxed, I'll placed a protective shield in front of the baby lying sideways, and with the help of the baby's Father, or selected relative, will slowly burn the cord with the candle until complete cauterization happens and the cord detaches, this process can be accompanied by gentle singing, music, or prayers. After the placenta is separated from the baby I will take the placenta for preparation in your preferred method, I include a complimentary placenta shake delivered within 12 hours after placenta pick up.
For the Lotus Birth I will provide all conservation and preparation supplies, placenta wraps, Himalayan Pink salt, non iodized Sea salt or Kosher salt (your preference), and Organic Herbs to preserve the placenta. If I am not your Birth Doula, All supplies necessary for the process will be delivered to you 2 weeks before your Due Date, with instructions for the early handling of the placenta, I will be there 1 hour after you call me to proceed with the washing of the placenta and start the process.
The placenta will be placed in a receiving sterilized bowl beside the mother, after full transfusion of blood from the placenta and the umbilical cord stops pulsating, I will wash the placenta and place it in a container or sieve with the herbal mix to drain for the first 24 hours, I will leave you with clear instructions for placenta care during those 24 hours and will be available at the phone for questions and concerns. After the first 24 hours have passed I will be back to wrap the placenta and place it in the bag, I will visit every day to renew the wrap and herbal mix, until umbilical cord detaches, then if you have selected an encapsulation method I will be take the placenta for preparation. please note that if you wish to have a placenta print, this most be done in the first day, before the placenta is washed.
While baby is attached to the placenta remember that she/he can be held and fed as the mother wishes, baby needs to wear loose clothing, baby can be bathe and cleaned as usual keeping the placenta bag dry, it should not be sudden pulling or tugging of the placenta you most keep the movement to a minimum, this is also conductive to the mother's postpartum recovery.©
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