lotus birth
  lotus birth with placenta coated in sea salt and herbs, surrounded by tourmaline gems |
Some families choose Lotus Birth for their babies. Lotus Birth is the practice of leaving the umbilical cord intact. The baby lets go of the cord as she chooses, when it dries and falls off, usually within 2-7 days. Receiving the full amount of the valuable cord blood and stem cells present at birth is of major benefit to the child's ongoing health and well-being.
The placenta is cared for using sea salt and herbs to preserve it and keep it smelling lovely. Lotus Birth is a very gentle way to transition your baby into the world, and is very simple. Support, instructions and education are available to those interested in the process of lotus birth, including how to prepare the placenta during a lotus birth. "Why do people choose Lotus Birth?" For many reasons...some people feel it is very peaceful, and energetically gentle for the baby. The placenta and the baby have been so close, "twins" and are created from the same cells in the very beginning of gestation through the 9 months in utero. Some families desire to keep placenta and baby attached and wait for baby to let go of his placenta and he chooses. Please go to http://www.cbsnews.com/news/lotus-birth-advocates-argue-against-cutting-umbilical-cord/ for an article on Lotus Birth by CBS that Darby was interviewed for. |
"Lotus Born children receive the full amount of the very valuable cord blood that is present at birth. Measuring around 1/3 of the baby's total blood supply this cord blood, which is actually the store of blood from the baby's placenta is rich and unique, containing stem cells, iron, oxygen, hormones and enzymes. This blood is needed to give the baby's vital organs the full amount of placental blood needed for optimum post-natal health.
When the baby receives his or her full placental transfusion the liver, kidneys, heart, gut, skin, digestive system and brain will be replete with this life-giving blood and will function fully, as nature intended.
With the cord still attached to the placenta the immature liver and kidneys are supported in eliminating waste from the baby's body immediately after birth allowing for the off loading of the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline.
Lotus Birth cares for the subtle energetic bodies: the aura and the chakras, which are well mapped and recognized in eastern health systems such as acupuncture and shiatsu. The navel chakra is the major energy center in the body. Lotus Birth leaves this chakra undisturbed and many claim that this has major benefits for the child's ongoing health."
~Shivam Rachana, author of the book Lotus Birth
On Delayed Cord Clamping:
Delayed Cord Clamping is crucial to the baby's well being. At Hawaii Holistic Midwifery the cord is always left intact to finish pulsing and the baby receives all her valuable blood, oxygen and stem cells. Darby waits a minimum of 1 hour after birth to clamp the cord, usually longer. However, in hospital births the typical practice is to clamp and cut the cord right away, in which time the baby is robbed of her crucial life force. As a doula Darby works with families birthing at the hospital and their care providers to delay the cord clamping for their babies health.
Delayed Cord Clamping is crucial to the baby's well being. At Hawaii Holistic Midwifery the cord is always left intact to finish pulsing and the baby receives all her valuable blood, oxygen and stem cells. Darby waits a minimum of 1 hour after birth to clamp the cord, usually longer. However, in hospital births the typical practice is to clamp and cut the cord right away, in which time the baby is robbed of her crucial life force. As a doula Darby works with families birthing at the hospital and their care providers to delay the cord clamping for their babies health.
On Cord Burning:
A special way of separating the baby from the placenta, using the power of fire. Two candles are used to burn the cord until the baby is detached from the placenta. This is an option at your homebirth.
cord burning
Darby Partner CPM LM Hawaii Holistic Midwifery 808.313.2428 [email protected] Kona, Big Island, Hawaii