Teton Obgyn Idaho Falls
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Our Physicians
    • What Our Patients Say
  • Contact
  • Our Services & Treatments
    • Obstetrics
    • Office Gynecology
    • Advanced Gyn Surgery
  • FAQs
    • Pregnancy FAQ
    • Gynecology FAQ
    • Surgery FAQ
  • Blog
  • Patient Resources
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Our Physicians
    • What Our Patients Say
  • Contact
  • Our Services & Treatments
    • Obstetrics
    • Office Gynecology
    • Advanced Gyn Surgery
  • FAQs
    • Pregnancy FAQ
    • Gynecology FAQ
    • Surgery FAQ
  • Blog
  • Patient Resources

Lotus Birth: Does Not Cutting the Umbilical Cord for Days Benefit My Baby?

2/28/2017

0 Comments

 
1. First of all, what is a lotus birth?
         Usually, the dad or someone present at the birth would cut the umbilical cord from the baby within a couple minutes. A "lotus birth" involves leaving the placenta attached to your baby and letting it fall off naturally.   Letting it naturally fall off can take anywhere from  three to ten days!  So basically you have to cart the placenta everywhere you take the baby.

2. What are the purported benefits of a lotus birth?
        Proponents of the lotus birth concept claim that by leaving the placenta and umbilical cord attached to the baby as long as possible, there is a decreased chance of infection where the umbilical cord is clamped.  However, the placenta is particularly prone to infection since it contains blood (a great medium for bacteria to grow in).  By leaving the placenta connected to the baby for long periods of time, there is actually a higher risk of transfer of infection from the placenta to the baby.
        Another proposed benefit is that by leaving the cord attached to the baby for a long period of time, this allows for complete transfer of cord blood and all those nutrients to the baby.  So, the umbilical cord usually stops pulsating between 3-5 minutes.  Are there benefits to delayed cord clamping? The answer is yes, but for preterm infants.  Delayed cord clamping usually involves waiting between 25 seconds to 3 minutes in preterm infants.  Studies have shown that delayed cord clamping in preterm infants has resulted in fewer blood transfusions, a 50% reduction in intraventricular hemorrhage (brain bleeds, which are common in preterm infants)  and necrotizing enterocolitis (a disease which can destroy the wall of the intestine).  Delayed cord clamping in term infants, however, was actually associated with increased need for phototherapy for jaundice and an increased risk of polycythemia, especially in locations at a higher altitude.  So if delayed cord clamping is not of any benefit for term infants and can potentially be harmful, can you imagine what benefit leaving your baby attached to dead placental tissue with no circulation for ten days could be? Not to mention the odor as the placenta begins to rot and decay!

3. So what do other mammals do?
         Do they allow their young to be attached to the placenta until it falls off naturally? No, they eat it!  The major reason mammals eat their placenta is because they are trying to avoid having a bloody temptation for predators next to the mother and baby.

If you decide you want to proceed with a lotus birth, you can purchase a lotus bag- a cotton lined bag with drawstrings with an earthy print.  It's available on Etsy for $67.69,  and it comes with an herb mix for the odor.  Also, don't forget to give the placenta a salt bath, which helps reduce the odor and helps with the drying process.

​Dr Pam

0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Call Us

    Teton Women's 

    We address the topics you need to know about regarding pregnancy and women's health issues.

    Archives

    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016

    Categories

    All
    Babies
    Breast Feeding
    Contraception
    Cord Blood Banking
    Delayed Cord Clamping
    Diet And Exercise
    Diet And Exercise In Pregnancy
    First Trimester
    Genetic Screening
    Guest Blogs
    Gynecologic Surgery
    Health And Fitness
    Hormones
    Induction Of Labor
    Infertility
    Just For Fun
    Menopause
    Overview Of Pregnancy
    Ovulation Prediction
    Pain Management In Labor
    Pap Smear
    Postpartum Depression
    Pregnancy Planning
    Second Trimester
    Sexual Health
    Sleep
    Vaginal Discharge
    Women's Health
    Zika Virus

    RSS Feed

Location

GET DIRECTIONS!
Teton Women's Health Center

2001 S Woodruff Ave #10
Idaho Falls, ID 83404









​Sitemap

Contact Us

Tel: 208-523-2060
​Fax: 208-523-9874

Office Hours

Mon - Thurs: 8:00 am - 12:00 pm & 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Fri - 8:00 am - 12:00 pm

Be sure to follow us on social media for the latest updates at Teton Women's Health Center!

**While we are excited to answer your questions, please be aware that the links below are not intended to provide urgent or emergent medical advice.  Thank you!