---

During my pregnancy with our firstborn, we attended Chiqui Brosas-Hahn’s childbirth preparation class where we learned many practices how to give our babies the best headstart as they arrive earthside–one of which is delayed cord clamping. Unfortunately in the hospital, even if it was indicated in the birth plan, it might not be followed due to certain circumstances.

When Ziki was born they had to take him away immediately fearing that he might have aspirated meconium because my amniotic fluid was stained. So my skin-to-skin time and breastfeeding within the first few hours after delivery was cut short. Imagine the baby’s stress of having to be separated from those that kept him secure–mother and placenta. And also not being able to take in all the good stuff from the placenta because it is hospital protocol to clamp and cut the cord within minutes. No wonder Ziki’s cries sounded so loud and angry, if not fearful and traumatized.

I came across waterbirth and lotus birth as I was researching about natural childbirth because I felt Ziki and I was robbed of something so precious when we were at the hospital. I wanted my next childbirth to be as gentle as possible, providing the best environment for my child to come out to. Since we became pregnant back in August, I have not stopped praying that God would let me deliver our second child naturally through waterbirth and do lotus birth.

Waterbirth, while unconventional to some, is already gaining recognition around the world especially after Ibu Robin Lim was named CNN Hero of the Year in 2011. She also advocates lotus birth, as with other midwives who understand the importance of keeping the umbilical cord and placenta intact after birth. Lotus birth still remains a taboo for most people just because they haven’t been properly informed of its benefits.

Lotus birth, simply put, is when you do not clamp or cut the cord after the baby is born. Both the umbilical cord and placenta will stay attached to the baby until it naturally dries and falls off on its own. Because it is still attached, the baby continues to receive nutrients (like iron) and red blood cells from his placenta which is very crucial to stabilize his body as it adjusts to its new environment and for optimum development.

There are physical, emotional and spiritual sides to doing this. Physical, being that baby gets utmost health benefits in his first hours of being out of the womb and lessens the risk of infection. It also provides quicker recovery and peaceful adjustment for both the mother and the baby as they can’t be exposed to too many people, at least for the first three days after delivery. Emotional, because it is gentler and relaxed not having to whisk the baby away prematurely to clamp and cut the cord. Spiritual, because in most beliefs the baby, the cord and the placenta are considered one unit and must be kept together until nature separates them in its right time.

I agree with these and to add, I’ve had quite a scare when Ziki’s umbilical cord was slightly infected and took almost two weeks before it finally came off, so I won’t have that anymore.

There are tons of resources online showing the benefits of lotus birth and I devoured them throughout my pregnancy. It provided me with much information that helped me choose this decision. Although my husband was a skeptic at first, he eventually understood the benefits of it and agreed (believe me, it would take much prayer and education for a concerned husband to jump in that wagon).

Finally when Amos came out, we left his umbilical cord and his placenta attached without clamping it, until all of its goodness has been transferred to him. Much better than cord banking, if you ask me.

Amos and his umbilical cord at Day 1 [Photo credit: Riz Oyos]

How we prepared for Lotus Birth

It may sound complicated but doing a lotus birth is actually simple. Though it took me skillful maneuvering of Amos whenever I nurse or carry him because of his cord and placenta. But it wasn’t too difficult since we just had to stay in the room and on the bed.

I had a strainer (actually the steamer tray from our rice cooker) cleaned and prepared, lined it with bed pad to absorb the blood for the first few hours (we later changed it to lampin the next day) to contain the placenta after it was birthed.

Our midwife, Deborah, took a pail of water beside me and Amos to cleanse off the placenta with excess blood. After cleaning it, salt was applied to help with the drying process and to alleviate the meaty smell as it dries. We also put rosemary and lavender essential oil to provide a more therapeutic scent for both baby and I since we all have to be kept together until the cord detaches.

We just kept reapplying the salt, rosemary and lavender oil daily. There was no need to wet it again because then it would slow down the drying process. The rosemary and lavender oil are just optional. You may actually use other herbs like cinnamon or whatever smelled nice to you. And I later on realized you can use fresh sampaguita flowers instead of lavender oil (although the lavender oil have therapeutic benefits too).

Day 2 of Amos and his “twin”. See how the cord has dried.

Since the cord needed to be exposed to air to dry more quickly, I just partially dressed Amos–his shirt half open at the navel area and his cloth diaper worn loose. The cord normally separates from the navel within 3 to 7 days after being exposed to air. Amos’ umbilical cord detached morning of the fourth day.

Amos and his placenta at Day 4. Such a peaceful separation.

What beautiful part of pregnancy this is! How amazing that God made the placenta!

Some lotus birth stories that I’ve read attest how the babies were distressed just before their cord separates. With Amos, though he wasn’t distressed, I noticed that he cried more than the previous days. I guess this is how babies say goodbye to their wombmate–the placenta.

After it came off, my husband and I planted the placenta with caimito seeds in a pot. We will uproot and transfer it once we acquire our own house. I’ve always wanted to have a big tree in our backyard where our children can climb and create wonderful memories.

Our planting ceremony, hehe.

I chose lotus birth because I wanted the most gentle and peaceful transition for Amos after his journey from the womb. I have noticed how calm and serene Amos is since he was born. I’m not sure if this calmness is his innate personality or if it was due to the waterbirth and lotus birth. But I’d like to think both. I am glad to have gone down this path because I believe I have given my son the best start in life.