Anyone planning a Lotus birth? Anyone ever had one?

[De-lovely]

I am so intrigued and inspired by the latest issue of Mothering and the article on the placenta and Lotus-birth....Anyone else ? All those benefits....I will definetly consider this when we are prego again....I mean really how awesome! Can you believe how amazing we are?!

[2+twins]

I haven't but I know there are mamas here who have. The one hitch that's turned me off of it (otherwise I'd probably try) is that once the cord dries up then whatever position it's in, it's in, kwim? This can be painful to the baby if you didn't get it to dry in a good shape - it could cause pulling on the umbilicus, etc. Not sure I'm explaining that very well - does that make any sense? Anyway, try doing a search here for "lotus birth". I'm sure you'll turn up some threads on it.

[MamaTaraX]

I think it sounds neat and in theory, I'd even like to do it. But there's something strange to me about carrying around a decaying organ until it falls off. I guess Ijust haven't seen anyin person (and no, I haven't seen the latest Mothering issue)

Namaste, Tara
mama to Doodle (6), Butterfly (23mos), and Rythm (due at home 1/06)

[Tummy]

:


Someone here has to of had a lotus birth... please share with us

[JanetF]

I know a lot of women who have I'm considering for my next baby. Whenever that is.. There are many fantastic articles about it on Australian websites, especially by Mel Baker and Sarah Buckley who've both had lotus births.

[2+twins]

Came across a thread on this topic in the archives: http://www.mothering.com/discussions...ead.php?t=3514

[lasciate]

Never had one, but after hearing about it I think I could have done that - my DD knocked off her cord at 5 days old!

[hunnybumm]

I have thought about it, but decided against it. I just don't really like the idea of having the placenta... like right there. Just not my thing. But I think it's cool. My DH also wouldn't go for it at all. I had to fight and scream and cry to get him to finally not making rude comments about going to a birth center.

Also, DSs cord didn't fall off till over 3 weeks. I know you can put salt and do other stuff to the placenta to keep it from smelling. I have also heard it mentioned that you get a special bag (not really made for placentas, but something homemade by you) to put the placenta in so it's not like it's right in your face. But more of a lump in a blanket. Do a few searchs on Google or on here and you will find a ton of info.

[Tummy]

The more I read the more I am really thinking of a Lotus birht!!!!


Just entertained my dh and brother with the idea.
Did not go over so well... my bro says thats nasty!
Dh says... are you serious, I have to carry a baby and a placenta around, I do not think so, thats kinda grose honey.

Mind you we still have A's placenta from 8.5 months ago in the freezer, and thats okay?!?! :LOL

Guess I have some work to do on this man..

Found this website that I am going to present to dh.....

http://www.lotusfertility.com/Lotus_..._Birth_QA.html

[2+twins]

I'm not dismissing the concept of a lotus birth - I think it sounds kinda nice in a way, but am I the only one who's noticed how UN-natural it is? Sometimes I think people get a little hung up on the idea of doing things "naturally" and sometimes making a point of how their experience was *more* natural than someone elses for whatever reason (not in a rude way, but I've seen that happen). Yet no other animal in nature that I'm aware of leaves their child attached to the placenta - they chew through it. Just food for thought....

[hunnybumm]

Originally Posted by love_homebirthing

Yet no other animal in nature that I'm aware of leaves their child attached to the placenta - they chew through it.

Good point.

[JanetF]

From what I've seen, the cord dries and the baby releases the placenta much sooner than it takes for a cord stump to fall off. Most people I know have had a minimum of 3 days and probably no longer than 5 days.

[kaylee18]

Actually...

Some mammals chew through the cord and eat the placenta, but others (notably, chimpanzees, possibly closest in genetic makeup to humans) do leave the placenta alone and the cord attached.

I have seen a mother cat* break her own water bags as they emerged (by licking - kittens each come out with an individual sac and cord-placenta assembly), then clean the kittens thoroughly (stimulating them too with her tongue) as each was born, then eat the placentas and chew on up the umbilical cords (thus clamping quite effectively). It was beautiful how simply that cat birthed and cared for her kittens. Unfortunately, cats in lower states of health/nutrition did not birth so well.

I don't know whether humans are "meant" to cut our cords or not. I tend to think not, since a severed cord is the primary portal of entry for neonatal tetanus, the infectious spores of which are very common in outdoor (natural?) settings... I don't think it matters that much what is "meant" or what is "natural," though.

Just my 2 cents
-kaylee18

*a foster cat that was already pregnant when we got her - if you'd like a similar experience, please sign up with a rescue group to foster one also. Please fix your animals before they can litter!

[Peppamint]

I've briefly considered it, but dh is very squeamish and I don't think he could handle it at all- and I can respect that.

Instead of lotus birthing, we'll be delaying cord clamping.

[sapphire_chan]

My thoughts at this point are that I'll probably wait 3-4 hours before cutting. I've considered lotus birth, and it doesn't feel right for me at this time.

[mamato3cherubs]

Originally Posted by love_homebirthing

I'm not dismissing the concept of a lotus birth - I think it sounds kinda nice in a way, but am I the only one who's noticed how UN-natural it is? Sometimes I think people get a little hung up on the idea of doing things "naturally" and sometimes making a point of how their experience was *more* natural than someone elses for whatever reason (not in a rude way, but I've seen that happen). Yet no other animal in nature that I'm aware of leaves their child attached to the placenta - they chew through it. Just food for thought....

:

[AutumnMama]

Originally Posted by Tummy

The more I read the more I am really thinking of a Lotus birht!!!!


Just entertained my dh and brother with the idea.
Did not go over so well... my bro says thats nasty!
Dh says... are you serious, I have to carry a baby and a placenta around, I do not think so, thats kinda grose honey.

Mind you we still have A's placenta from 8.5 months ago in the freezer, and thats okay?!?! :LOL

Guess I have some work to do on this man..

Found this website that I am going to present to dh.....

http://www.lotusfertility.com/Lotus_..._Birth_QA.html

That's a really informative link, thanks for posting it

[MamaTaraX]

NOw that Im due any second, I've been thinking about this more. Still can't get down with carrying aroudn a decaying organ attached to my new baby. We'll be delaying cord cutting for a while. Someone here on MDC has this awesome pic of her baby, attached to cord and placenta, that inspired me to take a picture just like that. So it'll be attached long enough for that picture to materialize

Namaste, Tara

[Undercover Hippie]

Originally Posted by MamaTaraX

NOw that Im due any second, I've been thinking about this more. Still can't get down with carrying aroudn a decaying organ attached to my new baby. We'll be delaying cord cutting for a while. Someone here on MDC has this awesome pic of her baby, attached to cord and placenta, that inspired me to take a picture just like that. So it'll be attached long enough for that picture to materialize

Namaste, Tara

Sounds like a very cool picture, Tara! And BTW, I've been wondering how you were. I look for posts from you every day so I can see if you've had your babe or not. Sending lots of good birth vibes your way!