Lotus Births Used By Some Parents In Natural Birthing

Lotus Births, which consist of leaving the umbilical cord in tact with the placenta until it naturally falls off, is being used by some parents as a way to add what they feel is a more natural element to the process.

Mary Ceallaigh is a Lotus Birth advocate and midwife educator who recently sat down with The New York Post to discuss how she believes the technique used by some parents helps promote the baby's health.

Ceallaigh, who first learned of the practice from Jeannine Parvati, a prenatal yoga instructor, argues that leaving the umbilical attached to the placenta ensures the baby will have the nourishment it needs during its first few days of life.

What's more, as there is no open wound created at the ubilical cord site, she further points out that the chance for infection is eliminated.

The advantages aren't only physical, Ceallaigh argues. She believes that by placing the focus immediately on bonding with the child rather than "who's going to cut the cord?" both parents and child are benefited.

In all, Ceallaigh says approximately 5 percent of her clients have requested a Lotus Birth and that the aftermath has proven to be less cumbersome than expected.

"The cord usually dries and breaks off by the third day, so no mother would be running errands during that time anyway," she told the Post, "...hopefully not until at least the fourth week after giving birth!"

In more humid locations, however, the cord can hang on for as long as 10 days. 

During the interim, the placenta is wrapped in a cloth and the cord in a ribbon. Though, Ceallaigh admits, it does begin to smell a bit "musky" by the second or third day. 

Doctors have yet to respond to the trending popularity of Ceallaigh's interview currently found online.