What Is Lotus Birth? A Gentle Beginning Beyond the Cord

What is Lotus Birth?

Lotus birth—also called umbilical nonseverance—is the practice of leaving the umbilical cord uncut after childbirth, allowing the baby to remain attached to the placenta until the cord naturally dries and falls off, typically within 3 to 10 days. The birth is complete when the placenta detaches. 

Compared to other common approaches...

Practice	What Happens	Time of Cord Separation	Symbolic Meaning
Immediate Cord Clamping	Cord is clamped and cut within 30 seconds to 1 minute after birth.	Immediately	Routine medical practice, no symbolic significance.
Delayed Cord Clamping	Cord is clamped after pulsing stops (usually 1–5 minutes).	A few minutes after birth	Acknowledges the baby’s transition; allows full blood transfer.
Partial Lotus Birth	Cord is left intact for several hours to a day, then cut.	Up to 24 hours after birth	Symbolic, flexible, blends modern and holistic approaches.
Full Lotus Birth	Cord is never cut. Baby stays attached until it naturally detaches.	3 to 10 days after birth	Spiritual, sacred, respects natural separation and autonomy.

Why Do Some Parents Choose Lotus Birth?

• Gentle Transition: Helps ease the baby’s arrival by maintaining connection to the placenta. By word of mom, babies remain calm. 
• Spiritual Connection: Respects cultural or spiritual beliefs around the sacred role of the placenta.
• Less Handling: Encourages gentler care and bonding.
• Natural Process: Emphasizes a non-interventive birth philosophy.

Benefits of Lotus Birth

Physiological and spiritual advantages commonly cited by families, midwives, and advocates of the practice:

🕊️ Gentle Transition for the Baby

Staying attached to the placenta supports a softer, slower adjustment to the world outside the womb.

• Mimics the continuity of the womb environment
• Reduces early stress and overstimulation
• Encourages peaceful first hours and days

😌 Promotes a Calmer Baby

Many families observe emotional benefits when the cord is not cut immediately.

• Babies may cry less and sleep better
• Fewer startle responses in the first days
• Supports emotional bonding and security

🩸 Full Placental Transfusion

Delaying cord cutting allows more blood and nutrients to reach the newborn.

• Improved iron and red blood cell levels
• Boosts oxygenation and immune cell transfer
• Delivers stem cells that support development

🍂 Natural Detachment

Letting the cord fall off on its own supports non-invasive birth practices.

• No clamping or cutting needed
• Body dictates when separation is complete
• Seen as gentler and more respectful

🤲 Bonding Time

Lotus birth naturally encourages parents to slow down and spend more quiet time together.

• Less frequent movement of the baby
• Promotes skin-to-skin and restful contact
• Encourages family-centered care

🪷 Honoring the Placenta

Seen in some cultures as sacred, the placenta is given more time and space for closure.

• Allows for burial or blessing ceremonies
• Supports spiritual or ancestral traditions
• Frames the placenta as a life-giving partner/ twin

🧘 Encourages Rest and Recovery

Managing the placenta encourages new mothers to stay still and rest in the early postpartum period.

• Limits unnecessary activity or travel
• Promotes quiet bonding in bed
• Supports maternal healing

🛡️ Lower Risk of Cord Infection (Reported)

Some midwives report lower rates of cord infection in lotus births with good hygiene practices.

• No exposed cord stump to irritate or bleed
• Herbal and salt applications can preserve freshness
• Fewer interventions mean less risk of contamination

🌀 Symbolic and Spiritual Meaning

For many, lotus birth is more than medical—it’s a sacred act welcoming the child gently into life.

• Honors the baby’s timeline and autonomy
• Respects the placenta’s role in life creation
• Frames the birth as a spiritual journey

Why Not Lotus Birth?

• Practicality: Managing a placenta for several days can be inconvenient.
• Hygiene: Decomposing placenta must be handled carefully to avoid infection.
• Medical Procedures: May interfere with hospital care or screenings.

Is Lotus Birth the Same as Eating the Placenta?

No. Eating the placenta (placentophagy) involves consuming it for perceived health benefits. Lotus birth involves not cutting the cord and keeping the placenta intact until it naturally separates. In most cases, it is not possible to ear it after since it needs to be preserved in up to a few hours. Unless it is dried, salted and preserved during the lotus birth period. More on this in the recommended reading below.

Recommended Reading

• Placenta: The Forgotten Chakra – Robin Lim

Q&A:

Q: How does it work? Does the baby keep on feeding from the placenta?

A: In the first few minutes/ hours after birth, the baby receives the remaining blood in the placenta via the umbilical cord. After that, there is no continued transfer of nutrition. Lotus birth does not replace breastfeeding—it simply allows the cord detach naturally over time.

Q: Does the placenta smell?

A: It can, especially after the first day. Many people wrap the placenta in herbs and natural substances like rosemary, lavender, cinnamon, turmeric, nutmeg, and essential oils. Salt is commonly used to help preserve and dry it out. This not only helps with odor but also slows decomposition.

Q: Is it difficult to move the baby around when the placenta is attached?

A: It's more delicate than moving just the baby, but not impossible. How you store the placenta matters. We used a thermal bag, which we carried with the baby and kept nearby at all times, taking care not to strain the cord. During those first few days, the baby doesn't move much, so it's manageable. A few times I worried I had pulled the bag too hard and that the cord might detach—but it never did.

Q: How does the umbilical cord and the placenta look during the lotus birth?

A: At first, the umbilical cord is white, moist, and pulsating—indicating active blood transfer. Once it stops pulsating, it gradually dries and stiffens from the air, usually starting by day 2. If needed, you can soften and gently reshape it with a damp cloth. 

At this point, there’s no longer any blood flow between the baby and placenta. Some parents choose to burn the cord to sever it before it falls off naturally. Cutting it is generally discouraged because clamping is difficult at that stage.

We kept our placenta in a thermal bag, which helped it stay soft. The areas we salted and left exposed hardened more quickly. Some families fully dry the placenta in open air for preservation—we didn’t, but if you did, feel free to share your experience in the comments! 

Q: How does the belly button look when the cord falls off?

A: Normal. Just like with clamped cords, it falls off cleanly and heals into a belly button. In fact, we noticed less odor around the base compared to our first baby, whose clamped cord smelled quite a bit before detaching.

Q: What did you do with the placenta afterward?

A: That's a meaningful part of the process—and I'll be sharing options and what we choose in a separate post soon.

Q: Why did I do it with my second baby?

A: I felt it offered a calmer, more peaceful transition into the world. It aligned with nature’s rhythm, and I didn’t see any downside. Yes, it required a bit more care, but giving up some convenience for a few days felt meaningful and worth it.

Q: Would you do it again?

A: Yes, definitely. I actually prefer this way. We had some worries at first—that it might be complicated or feel like too much to manage—but it wasn't. It ended up being simple, grounding. It felt natural. No stress. No drama. Just a slow, gentle transition—exactly the kind of welcome I'd want for a baby.

A friend joked, “You'll walk around, the cord will drag behind you, and your husband will be cleaning up after it.”  - Well—first of all, there's not much walking. I was mostly resting, cuddling, and recovering. Second, the cord isn't that long—it's not exactly trailing down the hallway. And third, there really wasn't anything to clean. It just sat there, doing its thing.

I've read that some grandmothers lovingly apply salt and rosemary each day, carefully tending to the placenta like a little sacred bundle. We didn't do that—maybe next time!

Q: Does a baby poop while the cord is attached?

A: Yes, babies poop and pee as usual. We just needed to be more mindful during diaper changes to avoid disturbing the drying cord.

Q: Can you make a placenta print while the placenta is still attached.

A: Yes.

Q: Can I have lotus birth in a hospital?

A: It depends on the hospital. Some are open to it, others may be unfamiliar. In our case, we needed to go to the hospital post-birth, and the staff were accepting—even curious. That said, home births or birthing centers tend to be more accommodating.

Q: Is there scientific research supporting lotus birth?

A: Research is limited. Most of the reported benefits are based on personal experiences, spiritual beliefs, and traditional practices rather than clinical studies. More research is certainly welcome in this area.

Q: Is lotus birth safe?

A: With good hygiene and proper care, it can be safe. The placenta must be handled mindfully to prevent infection. Always consult your midwife, doula, or care provider.

Q: Any advice?

A: Ask around. Hear the stories—the real ones, including the good ones. It really helped me to hear from others who had done it before.

In Amsterdam, birth is well supported—there's a whole system built around it, with many options. Learning from the community gave me valuable insights and confidence, not just for lotus birth, but for the whole birthing experience

This post is for informational purposes only and does not substitute medical advice. It is merely my views and research.