What is a Lotus Birth
A Lotus birth is when the baby is left connected to the placenta until the unclamped cord naturally dries and detaches – usually after 3-4 days – during which time the placenta is routinely rubbed with salt and herbs. Although a true lotus birth and placenta encapsulation are mutually exclusive, there are still ways to benefit from other placenta remedies and have a lotus birth.
The process can also be done with or without applying a salt and herb mix. If you are thinking of turning part of your placenta into remedies for you and your baby, then the sections of placenta you would remove would need to be taken soon after birth.
Consult your local Placenta Remedies Specialist for details.
What happens with a Lotus Birth?
On Sunday 24th Feb 2019, at 06:15 am, birthly team member Carolina Olmos in Switzerland birthed her healthy baby boy and placenta during a gentle home-birth.
Caro decided to use a salt and herb mix to help preserve the placenta. She used a blend of rose water, lavender, rosemary, thyme and 1 kg of Himalayan salt and by all accounts it smelled amazing!
After her baby and placenta had been birthed, Caro made a tincture, essence and ate a little piece of placenta too. She then made a few prints of her tree of life, the placenta, to commemorate this special gift.
Her lotus birth lasted exactly 5 days at which point the umbilical cord fell off naturally and her baby’s belly looked healthy and beautiful.
Although Caro had made up 1 Kilo of salt mix she only ended up using ½ Kilo of it. Every morning she had salted the placenta and again every evening before sleep, turning it to salt both mother and baby sides before placing it back on the duvet she was resting it on. That way it was always kept fresh and smelling of the mix of flowers and herbs.
Caro told us, “I can really recommend for mums who only want tincture, essence and/or homeopathy remedies. I am so grateful for this beautiful experience”.
What steps should you take when choosing a Lotus Birth?
- When the baby is born, leave the umbilical cord intact. If the cord is around the baby’s neck, simply lift it over.
- The placenta should be birthed naturally.
- Place the placenta into a receiving bowl beside the mother.
- Wait for full transfusion of the umbilical blood into the baby before handling the placenta.
- Gently wash the placenta with warm water and pat dry.
- Place the placenta into a sieve or colander for 24 hrs to allow drainage.
- Wrap the placenta in absorbent material, such as a nappy or cloth and put it into a placenta bag. The covering is changed daily or more often if seepage occurs.
- Alternatively, place the placenta on a bed of sea salt (which is changed daily) and liberally covered with salt and herbs.
- The baby is held and fed as the mother wishes and should be clothed loosely.
- Bathe the baby as usual, just keep the placenta with it and keep movement to a minimum.
A Huge thanks to Carolina for sharing her beautiful Lotus Birth story with us.
Follow Carolina on Facebook at Mama Pacha – Caro Olmos or her website – Mamapacha
For further reading on Lotus Birth and other placenta rituals, we recommend articles by Dr Sarah Buckley
