Lotus Birth: pros & cons?

[LionsandBears]

Has anyone had a lotus birth? I'm interested in finding out more about them. I've read stories, but what I don't understand is why? What benefit is there? What are the pros and cons?

I'm just exploring options at this stage.

TIA

[jackrose]

I'm with you tash, looking into it, so I can't give you any advice based on my experiences.

I did read about it in a great book, Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering by Sarah Buckley. Have you read it? It was a great read, written by an Aussie GP who homebirthed and has a very gentle approach to parenting. A lot of what she said rang true, and she had a chapter on Lotus birth after doing it with (I think) two of her children.

I can't remember the benefits specifically, and am still not sure I will do it with my next baby. There does seem to be a bit of work involved in maintaining the placenta before it drops off. I have to look into it more.

I will absolutely be doing delayed cord clamping... I completely understand the benefits of that but am just not sure if we will go as far as letting the cord fall off naturally. What did resonate with me when I read about it was the fact that the cord usually drops off within 3-5 days with a lotus birth, much earlier than with a clamped cord. Interesting.

Can't wait to see if anyone else has any advice.

[LionsandBears]

Thanks Jackrose - I do have that book. just haven't looked at it for a while and hadn't got to that bit. I'll put on my list of things to discuss with the midwife. I think the idea will gross out DH though, but if it reduces the amount of time for the cord to drop off/reduces risk of infection, then that's got to be good.

I kind of figure if I'm going to freak out the family with a homebirth, might as well go the whole hog (kidding)

[Karen van]

HI Tashybabe

Wondered where you had migrated to as I hadn't seen you on the PAML forum for a while! In terms of honouring the placenta - and the incredible gift it has given your child - the lotus birth is invaluable. The second most precious thing it gives is the need to remain closer and quieter with your baby in those important first few days - a commitment many people find difficult otherwise because of the pressure we often or society often puts on us to be 'up and about' with the baby ASAP - which can cause a real shock to both mum and bub.

Friends gave some great practical advice on how to manage it:

- 3 -4 cups of finely ground dried rosemary (fresh as possible rather than store bought at places like Woolies - markets or spice stores are better - local if possible)
- a bucket of warm water and strainer
- bamboo steamer
- some towels/cloth nappies to absorb moisture
- willingness to offer this time to your bub

Try to clean the placenta within an hour of birth if poss - with warm water and strainer over container that can be placed where bub is - be gentle but thorough in washing - Let drain

A few hours later after draining, repeat another gentle wash and then pat dry with towels.

Cover with rosemary - everywhere - as it will stop smell/rot - cover cord and sprinkle around navel too of bub

Avoid salt - it will absorb humidity from air and could lead to rotting

Place placenta in bamboo steamer - light weight, unobtrusive, natural and has air flow - make sure it has folded towel/nappy in it to absorb moisture - check and change when needed - every couple of hours

Sprinkle more rosemary in first 24 hours - keep changing cloth underneath

Placenta should be dehydrating and shrinking - take care when moving bub as cord can become quite tough and you want to avoid jerking the belly

Over next few days until cord drops off - there should be less maintenance needed but keep sprinkling and changing cloths

Once two have separated - the placenta can be treated to a ceremony (planting if you like with tree/plant/bush/vegie patch) or it can be kept in sealed container in freezer for Naming day/1st birthday - whatever suits your family.

Hope that helps - have a wonderful pg and birth!

Much love
Karen van

[jackrose]

I kind of figure if I'm going to freak out the family with a homebirth, might as well go the whole hog (kidding)

I am thinking exactly the same!

Thanks for that advice Karen van, that thorough explanation is exactly what I needed to help make the decision.

I do love the idea of letting a baby separate in their own time, much as I like the idea that a baby gets to choose their own birth date and announce their own gender when they do arrive. I just like the whole idea of going with the flow with labour and birth - and I guess I am lucky enough to be able to indulge in this with a complication free pregnancy so far. (I am by no means a hippy, but I am realizing that I am beginning to sound very much like one )

[Mummato2]

I kind of figure if I'm going to freak out the family with a homebirth, might as well go the whole hog (kidding)

Brilliant!

[Leakaledonia]

I had a part lotus birth with ds2. He was born 8.20am, placenta followed about an hour later and I kept it connected until about 5.30 that evening. As it wasn't left in the air for too long I didn't need to treat it.
I wanted to do it because I felt I wanted bubs to get used to being earthside before severing ties with wombside. I also wanted him to get maximum amount of blood from it.
Was also aware that stump heals better the longer the cord is attached.
I would do it again although it was a bit awkward moving around, but suppose that is an advantage too.
Planted his placenta under a blueberry bush in the garden (hoping it survived snow!)