Lotus birth is the practice of allowing the placenta and umbilical cord to stay attached until it naturally detaches, usually about 2-3 days after birth. After a baby is born, the umbilical cord continues to pulse blood to the baby if left attached. Cord blood contains many beneficial properties including stem cells, red and white blood cells (including cancer fighting T-cells) that help prevent and fight infection and supply extra nutrients and oxygen to a new baby. Babies who have delayed cord clamping have a 32% larger blood volume and higher reserves of iron than infants who have their cords clamped immediately. Normal hospital protocol is to immediately clamp and cut the umbilical cord. However, there have been numerous studies done to show that immediate cord clamping is simply not necessary.
Studies have suggested that it is best to wait at least two minutes after birth to clamp an umbilical cord, but some people (such as myself) choose to wait until the cord has stopped pulsating altogether. Still others choose to wait 2 - 3 days until it detaches naturally, such as in lotus birth.
Proponents of lotus births view the baby and placenta as existing within the same auric field. They believe that energy continues to transfer gradually from the placenta to the baby through the umbilical cord. Historically, lotus birth has been documented in many different cultures and even in other species. Whether or not lotus birth is right for you, delayed cord cutting is certainly a more practical and very beneficial choice for your baby.
As more research is done, the benefits of delayed cord clamping are becoming more clear and more families are choosing this practice for their children.
