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LOTUS BIRTH: HOLISTIC PRACTICE

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Lakshmi M.
Lakshmi M.
Lakshmi M.
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Abstract

Lotus birthis leaving the umbilical cord uncut after childbirth to the placenta until it dries and falls off by itself. The practice has been observed in many countries, including the US, Australia, the United Kingdom, Italy, and Turkey.Enhanced Blood & nourishment, reduce injury & infection, faster healing and emotional well being are benefits of lotus birth. The decision to opt for a lotus birth is personal and should be made with consideration of the available evidence, cultural beliefs, and medical advice.
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ISSN: 2320-5407 Int. J. Adv. Res. 12(08), 133-136
133
Journal Homepage: -www.journalijar.com
Article DOI:10.21474/IJAR01/19235
DOI URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.21474/IJAR01/19235
RESEARCH ARTICLE
LOTUS BIRTH: HOLISTIC PRACTICE
Lakshmi M.
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Manuscript Info Abstract
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Manuscript History
Received: 05 June 2024
Final Accepted: 08 July 2024
Published: August 2024
Lotus birthis leaving the umbilical cord uncut after childbirth to the
placenta until it dries and falls off by itself. The practice has been
observed in many countries, including the US, Australia, the United
Kingdom, Italy, and Turkey.Enhanced Blood & nourishment, reduce
injury & infection, faster healing and emotional well being are benefits
of lotus birth. The decision to opt for a lotus birth is personal and
should be made with consideration of the available evidence, cultural
beliefs, and medical advice.
Copy Right, IJAR, 2024, All rights reserved.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………....
Introduction:-
Childbirth transcends mere biology; it is a communal event shaped by cultural beliefs and societal norms.
Alternative childbirth practices, diverging from traditional hospital-based medical approaches, highlight a shift
towards natural, holistic, and affirming birthing experiences, showcasing diverse regional variations across the
country.
Lotus birth (or umbilical cord nonseverance - UCNS) is leaving the umbilical cord uncut after childbirthto the
placenta until it dries and falls off by itself. It usually detaches after 5-15 days.
WHO recommends delayed cord clamping (performed 1 to 3 minutes after birth) is recommended for all births
while initiating simultaneous essential newborn care.
History of lotus birth
The concept of lotus birth gained attention in the late 20th century, particularly through the work of childbirth
educators and advocates of natural birth. This practice was first described by scientist Clair Lotus Day in 1974 after
witnessing a chimpanzee giving birth without severing the placenta from her baby. The practice has been observed
in many countries, including the US, Australia, the United Kingdom, Italy, and Turkey. In India, a hospital in
Bangalore experimented with lotus birth at the decision of a family.
The first reported cases of lotus birth date back to 2004 in Australia. According to advocates of lotus birth, because
the fetus and the placenta are formed from the same cell, they represent a single unit. Thus, if the newborn is not
artificially separated from this part of itself, a considerable amount of blood will be transported to the newborn
through the umbilical cord.
Benefits of lotus birth
1. Enhanced Blood & nourishment: Similar to delayed cord clamping, leaving the umbilical cord intact allows
oxygenated blood to continue flowing to the baby, potentially improving circulation and brain development.
Corresponding Author:- Lakshmi M.
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2. Reduced Injury& Infection Risk: By keeping the umbilical cord and placenta intact, there is no open wound,
which reduces the risk of infection& injury.
3. Faster Healing of the Umbilicus: According to lotus birth educators, babies who undergo lotus birth tend to
have well-healed belly buttons without complications, promoting quicker healing.
4. Emotional Wellbeing: Advocates believe lotus birth can ease the newborn's transition from womb to world,
potentially reducing birth trauma and supporting a gentle start to life outside the womb.
5. Postpartum Recovery: When a new mom has a newborn still connected to the placenta, it forces the mother to
move slowly, carefully, and minimally. This approach may support the mother's and child's well-being during
the postpartum period, emphasizing a respectful recovery process over quick physical recovery.
6. Spiritual ritual: To honor the shared life between baby and placenta
Steps to maintain Lotus birth:
1. Prepare the placenta: After birth, place the placenta in a bowl or a container lined with an absorbent material
like a cloth or towel
2. Rinse & dry: Gently rinse the placenta with warm water and dry. This helps to remove any blood and tissue
residue.
3. Salt and herbs: Apply a generous amount of salt to the placenta to help with preservation and odor control. A
mixture of 1 kg sea salt, 0.5 kg rosemary, and 0.5 kg lavender is made. Half of this mixture is sprinkled on the
placenta on the first day and the other half on the second day.
4. Wrap the placenta: Wrap the placenta in a clean, absorbent cloth & need to change the cloth daily to keep it
dry & prevent bacterial growth.
5. Monitor the baby & placenta: Keep the placenta close to the baby but ensure it is not pulling on the umbilical
cord.
6. Hygiene & care: Wash hands before and after handling the placenta. Check the placenta regularly for any signs
of infection such as foul smell, discoloration, or unusual discharge.
7. Natural detachment: The umbilical cord will dry & detach naturally within 5-15 days. Until then, continue to
care for the placenta & keep it clean & dry.
8. Post detachment: Once the cord detaches, discard the placenta according to personal or cultural preferences.
Pathway for Lotus birth:
ISSN: 2320-5407 Int. J. Adv. Res. 12(08), 133-136
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Drawbacks Of Lotus Birth
Infection:
Placenta is a decaying human organ containing blood, and can foster bacterial growth if not meticulously
maintained. Parents opting for lotus birth must diligently monitor their babies for signs of infectionlotus birth has
already been associated with staphylococcus lugdensis sepsis (skin and tissue infections) and endocarditis (heart
inflammation), neonatal omphalitis (umbilical cord infections)
Inconvenience:
Carrying around the placenta is not only unfashionable but also poses practical challenges and increases the risk of
infection.
Cord avulsion:
The baby risks injury from the cord accidentally being ripped away from their body.
Idiopathic neonatal hepatitis:
Tricarico A, a study suggests a baby with lotus birth had persistent jaundice due to idiopathic neonatal hepatitis.
Polycythemia:
An abnormally high number of red blood cells.
Types of Lotus Birth:
Short lotus birth: The naturally sealed cord and cut 4-6hrs after birth
Full lotus birth: when the cord is allowed to dry until it becomes detaching naturally.
Medical consultation
The following are signs that need immediate medical consultation
1. Swelling, redness & feeling warmth around the umbilical cord
2. Temperature of 100 F
3. Baby doesn’t feed properly
4. Baby sleeping more than usual
Conclusion:-
Acknowledging mother’s opinions is a key recommendation of the World Health Organization (WHO), and this
principle extends to maternity care. Critics of lotus birth raise concerns about hygiene, potential infection risks, and
the practical challenges of handling the placenta during the initial days postpartum. Ultimately, the decision to opt
for a lotus birth is personal and should be made with consideration of the available evidence, cultural beliefs, and
medical advice.
References:-
1. Kyejo W et al, do not detach the placenta from my baby’s cord”- Lotus birth case series from Tanzania tertiary
hospital, International Journal of Surgery Case Reports, 2022.
2. Zinsser LA, Lotus birth, a holistic approach on physiological cord clamping, Women birth.2018.
3. Gonenc I M, Aker MN, and Ay E, Qualitative study on the experience of lotus birth, JOGNN,2019.
4. Vidhya K &Kalaimathy A, Lotus birth- A Ritual or Scientific, Asian Journal of Nursing Education & Research,
1(3): 2011.
5. Tricarico A, Bianco V, Biase AR, Lughetti L, Ferrari F & Berardi A, Lotus birth associated with idiopathic
neonatal hepatitis, Pediatrics & Neonatology, 58(3), 2016.
6. Alessandro Bonsignore et al, Medico-legal considerations on lotus birth in the Italian legislative framework, Ital
J Pediatr.2019.
7. Monroe KK, Rubin A, Mychaliska KP, Skoczylas M & Burrows HL, Lotus birth: A case series report on
umbilical nonseverance, 58(1), 2018.
8. Lotus childbirth: All you need to know about the new birthing trend, Times of India.com, 2020.
9. Sivasanker AA, Barari N, Singh A & Singh T, Protocol for a Systematic Review of Lotus birthing method:
Friend or Foe, International Journal of Innovative Sciences & Research Technology, 8(8), 2023.
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10. Massaro CS, Neonatal Omphalitis, after lotus birth, Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health, 65 (2), 2020.
11. Buckley SJ, lotus birth: a ritual for our times, Midwifery today, 2003.
12. Madhu M & Prasanna S, Lotus Birth: A bird view, Int J Ayu Pharm Chem, 11(1), 2019.
ResearchGate has not been able to resolve any citations for this publication.
Protocol for a Systematic Review of "Lotus Birthing Method: Friend or Foe"
Article
Full-text available
  • Sep 2023
Introduction: Lotus birth or umbilical non severance is practice of leaving the umbilical cord uncut with placenta and the baby are still connected until they separate naturally, that occurs typically up to 10 days after birth. In order to lessen odours, the placenta is frequently wrapped in cloth or a bag and may also be treated with salts, lavender oil, rosemary or other herbs. There is very less literature published on the lotus birth method. Newborn specialists might be at a loss when advising mothers who choose to have a lotus birth due to the lack of available literature. There is a need to better understand the consequences or benefits of this method. Purpose/objective:(a)To identify The effectiveness of lotus birthing method on health outcomes among neonates. (b) To assess its efficacy on neonatal clinical course like increase in hemoglobin levels, improved iron stores and favorable infant development. Methods: A systematic review on randomized control trails, reviews, and research articles will be conducted. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) will be adopted and literature search will be conducted in Pub Med-Medline, CINAHL, Science Direct and Pro-Quest. The search will include a period of 2013-2023. Studies will be included based on predetermined inclusive criteria. Results: A descriptive synthesis of the findings of the selected studies will be carried out which will be presented in narrative summary with statistical findings incorporated. Conclusion: Pediatricians might not be familiar with how to handle this situation because this birth practice is typically not seen in standard obstetric care, which results in inconsistent messaging to families and care teams. Lotus births are uncommon events, and there is little academic literature on the subject, so it's critical to keep gathering evidences that will educate healthcare professionals who look after newborns.
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"Do not detach the placenta from my baby's cord" -Lotus birth case series from Tanzania tertiary hospital
Article
Full-text available
  • Sep 2022
Introduction: Lotus birth is seldom practiced, with its prevalence being not well documented. There is no clear existing guideline or pathway for this practice. Safety in delivery as well as caring for newborn and her mother is of paramount importance. Hence, clarity for Lotus delivery in any set up is indispensable. Cases findings: We have described on case series approach to women who opted to delivery without detachment of placenta. We have described delivery characteristics, neonatal clinical course, cord, and placenta manage- ment. In year 2022 at our center, we have received two cases of lotus delivery. Conclusion and recommendation: Lotus birth is a new way of delivery in our country despite of low prevalence, it is indispensable for all cadres that deal with delivering mothers to be aware for better outcomes. It has been noted that, the risk for neonatal infection increases with this practice.
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Qualitative Study on the Experience of Lotus Birth
Article
Full-text available
  • Sep 2019
  • J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs
Objective: To describe the experiences of women who had lotus births, that is, leaving the umbilical cord uncut so that the placenta remains attached to the newborn until the umbilical cord naturally detaches. Design: Descriptive phenomenological. Setting: Seven cities in four geographic regions of Turkey. Participants: Nine women who experienced lotus birth. Methods: Data were collected through semistructured, face-to-face interviews. Results: Our analysis revealed six themes: Meaning of the Lotus Birth Experience, Decision Making Regarding Lotus Birth, Lotus Birth Process, Perceived Benefits and Disadvantages of Lotus Birth, Reactions to Lotus Birth, and The Future of Lotus Birth. In addition, we created 15 subthemes related to these overarching themes. Conclusions: The themes we extracted are reflective of the desire for a natural and healthy birth that is experienced as positive and beneficial. Our results contribute to a deeper and more nuanced understanding of lotus birth. Moreover, our findings provide women and all health care providers, especially maternity nurses, with valuable information and increased awareness of lotus birth.
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Medico-legal considerations on “Lotus Birth” in the Italian legislative framework
Article
Full-text available
  • Dec 2019
  • Riv Ital Pediatr Ital J Pediatr
The term “Lotus Birth” identifies the practice of not cutting the umbilical cord and of leaving the placenta attached to the newborn after its expulsion until it detaches spontaneously, which generally occurs 3–10 days after birth. The first reported cases of Lotus Birth date back to 2004 in Australia. Supporters of such a procedure claim that the newborn is better perfused, endowed with a more robust immune system and “less stressed”. However, it should be pointed out that histopathological study of the placenta is increasingly being requested in order to investigate problems of an infective nature or dysmaturity affecting the foetus, and situations of risk affecting the mother. Moreover, from the legal standpoint, there is no uniform position on the question of whether the placenta belongs to the mother or to the newborn. Lastly, a proper conservation of the embryonic adnexa is very difficult and includes problems of a hygiene/health, infectivological and medico-legal nature. The authors analyzed all these aspect in the Italian legislative framework, reaching the conclusion that Lotus Birth is inadvisable from both the scientific and logical/rational points of view.
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Lotus Birth Associated With Idiopathic Neonatal Hepatitis
Article
Full-text available
  • Jun 2016
Lotus birth (LB) is a holistic practice, in which the umbilical cord is not cut after birth. The placenta becomes a necrotic tissue that lacks of blood circulation, particularly prone to infections. There is a total lack of studies concerning the benefits for newborns or the safety of LB practice. We present the first neonate with complicated LB delivery. The baby had persistent jaundice due to idiopathic neonatal hepatitis. The disease spontaneously recovered after the first months of life. The description of this case aims to provide a starting point for novel clinical researches concerning LB practice and its safety.
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Lotus birth, a holistic approach on physiological cord clamping
Article
  • Sep 2017
Background: The positive effects of delayed cord clamping (DCC) has been extensively researched. DCC means: waiting at least one minute after birth before clamping and cutting the cord or till the pulsation has stopped. With physiological clamping and cutting (PCC) the clamping and cutting can happen at the earliest after the pulsation has stopped. With a Lotus birth, no clamping and cutting of the cord is done. A woman called Clair Lotus Day imitated the holistic approach of PCC from an anthropoid ape in 1974. The chimpanzee did not separate the placenta from the newborn. Aim: The aim of this case report is to discuss and learn a different approach in the third stage of labour. Method: Three cases of Lotus birth by human beings were observed. All three women gave birth in an out-of-hospital setting and had ambulant postnatal care. Findings: The placenta was washed, salted and herbs were put on 2-3h post partum. The placenta was wrapped in something that absorbs the moisture. The salting was repeated with a degreasing frequency depending on moistness of the placenta. On life day six all three Lotus babies experiences a natural separation of the cord. All three Lotus birth cases were unproblematic, no special incidence occurred. Conclusions: One should differentiate between early cord clamping (ECC), delayed cord clamping (DCC) and physiological cord clamping (PCC). Lotus birth might lead to an optimisation of the bonding and attachment. Research is needed in the areas of both PCC and Lotus birth.
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Lotus birth-A Ritual or Scientific
  • 2011
  • K Vidhya
Vidhya K &Kalaimathy A, Lotus birth-A Ritual or Scientific, Asian Journal of Nursing Education & Research, 1(3): 2011.
Lotus childbirth: All you need to know about the new birthing trend
  • Jan 2020
Lotus childbirth: All you need to know about the new birthing trend, Times of India.com, 2020.