What is the point of a Lotus Birth?

[phineas]

Hi everyone,

I have been wondering something for a while - what is the point of a lotus birth?

I'm in no way against lotus births, I find it interesting, but I am curious as to why people would do this :confused:

Because it it's seen as 'natural'... well - how is it? Surely in Ancient times, cords were cut or chewed...

...animals chew through umbilical cords shortly after birth... so I don't see how there is any 'natural' aspect for it....

...I understand benefits of not clamping or cutting the cord until it has stopped pulsating, but what is the point of or reasoning behind leaving the placenta attached until it falls off natually? :confused:

[the_queen]

I think that the fact that it does fall off naturally is a sign that "cutting the cord" is interventionalist.

I would have a lotus birth, if I am lucky enough to have more children. :)

[mum33]

i dont know, it doesnt seem like a natural thing to do but more of a new thing that people have chosen to do recently.

i know some people would think its wonderful but i read something about a doctor who he and his wife had a lotus birth for each of his children.

he carried around the dying , smelly placenta in a velvet bag til the cord seperated.

i just find that really repulsive and i dont see the appeal but each to their own.

[DramaQueen]

he carried around the dying , smelly placenta in a velvet bag til the cord seperated.

i just find that really repulsive and i dont see the appeal but each to their own.

Yeah, not for me either.

:thumbsup: to those who have/will do this though!!!

[*Chels*]

Ok,Ive never heard of this:confused:
Whats a loctus birth all about?
TIA

[WeThree]

~ Chels a lotus birth is when the placenta is left attached to the baby and allowed to fall off on its own, a total, complete gentle birth, no cutting of the cord etc etc.
Not for me, there is not any sort of proof that it would benefit my child in anyway, and its not like it was something that used to be done by tribal mamas or anything, I mean you couldnt be carrying a big juicy placenta about with ya with all those saber tooth tigers and bears or whatever about :D but more power to anyone who wants to do it. :yes: :thumbsup:

[Milliner]

Never heard of this!

Ds was born in jan and it was really really hot when we got him home when he was about 4-5 days old the stump left over smelt thank god it fell off the next day I don't think I could have coped with a whole placenta hanging off the smell would have been shocking.

[*Chels*]

Thanks Coops
Well ew it sounds gross,Im all for natural birth but thats taking it a bit too far!

[DoulaFelicity]

The point is respect for, and facilitation of, an optimal and gentle physical, emotional and spiritual transition for the baby. That's what Lotus Birthers believe.

Lotus Birth has been observed in chimpanzees. It is a relatively new ritual among humans (notably practiced from the 1970s onwards, though of course it probably happened before then too).

A very comprehensive book on the topic (if anyone is that interested :) ) is "Lotus Birth", compiled by Shivam Rachana, foreword by Dr Michel Odent (with contribution by Dr Sarah Buckley and others). It's a really good read and taught me almost everything I now understand about Lotus Birth.

There have been a few previous Lotus Birth threads on BubHub with heaps of information in them, so a search should bring up some good stuff. :)

And here's a couple of links if anyone feels like reading more right here and now:-

http://www.sarahjbuckley.com/articles/lotus-birth.htm

http://www.withwoman.co.uk/contents/info/lotus.html

http://www.womenofspirit.asn.au/lotus_web/lotus.htm

I'm still deciding whether Lotus Birth is something I can commit to. At the very least I'll be leaving the cord until well after it has stopped pulsating (a few hours after birth, probably even longer) and closely watching my baby's reaction whilst cutting, if we do in fact cut the cord. I'd like to make placenta "pills" to take in the days after my baby's birth and I believe I would use most or all of the placenta for this, so Lotus may not be an option for me - but my baby will receive the nourishment and "energy" from the placenta through my breastmilk anyway. I'll see how it all feels at the time. I have the utmost respect for the practice of Lotus Birth - I think it's beautiful. Placentas are incredible things. :)

Oh, and the Lotus placenta rarely if ever smells. It's usually salted, scented with Lavender (or other essential oils) and wrapped in a nappy and then in a placenta bag. It dries out extremely quickly (not rots) and the salts and oils usually remove any smell. (I don't think anyone relishes the idea of lugging around a stinking rotten thing!)

[phineas]

Lotus Birth has been observed in chimpanzees. It is a relatively new ritual among humans (notably practiced from the 1970s onwards, though of course it probably happened before then too).


That's very interesting :yes:
Chimpanzees live without all the interventions of modern life, right? So if THEY practice it, there must be something going for the whole Lotus Birth thing.
I'm a firm believer in all things natural - and to me, when instincts fail, do what the animals do :D
So, I've always thought that shortly after birth, all mammals chew through the umbilical cord and then eat the placenta. So I've always thought, ok, that's hw things should be done.
But hmmmmmm....... seems this isn't always so :detective:

Maybe it is only animals who have predators do it? Ie incase they need a quick getaway?

Very interesting :yes:

So I suspect there must be physiological benefits of a lotus birth...
I would like to know more about this I think.

If anyone has any interesting info, please share!

[demeter]

I started this thread all about lotus birth if you were interested:

http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/showthread.php?t=39575&highlight=Lotus+Birth

[lilpearl]

To my knowledge, Lotus birth is a Pagan ritual, and so is now a new New-Age-y thing to do. Not for me in the slightest, but whatever floats peoples boats. :)

[Pixie]

I had enough to worry about without making sure I had picked up my placenta bag :D

[DoulaFelicity]

Lotus Birth isn't a Pagan ritual, and people from many walks of life and areas of belief have practiced it. :)

[Mum&bubs]

Wow you learn something new everyday I had never heard of a Lotus birth before. Doesn't sound like something I would be interested in though :no: :no: But everyone to their own! :thumbsup: