Let's talk placenta.
I have to admit I haven’t spent much, if any time really thinking about placentas. I learned about them during birth education classes and they are of course crucial to a baby’s well-being. As you’d know the placenta is the organ that connects your baby to the uterine wall which is where it gains it nutrients, gets rid of waste and gas exchange takes place.
But I didn’t feel any huge emotional or spiritual attachment to it. I had a girlfriend who bought hers home from the hospital and they buried it under a tree in the back garden. For her it was a really important thing to do. I’ve heard of people eating part of theirs as well, though frankly, I usually only ever wanted a cup of tea post delivery.
So as someone who is always intrigued by other people’s pregnancies and deliveries I was fascinated to learn about lotus births.
Have you heard of this?
A lotus birth is where a baby and placenta remain attached after birth until the umbilical cord drops off naturally. This usually means a week of carrying baby and placenta around. Apparently you wash and dry it after arrival and wrap the placenta in a cloth or a container. You also have the option of salting the placenta or using rosemary powder instead.
I was curious about what the benefit of this particular practice was so I did a bit of research. According to Dr Sarah Buckley an advocate of the process, the purposes includes: “allowing the baby to slowly and gently let go of his/her attachment to the mother’s body.” However other medical practitioners have opposed the practice as well. My own issue with this is that I really had enough to do looking after the needs of my baby without having something else to look after as well. However according the idea of a lotus birth it is meant to make you slow down and become more contemplative.
Did you keep your placenta or do anything special with it after you had your baby? What do you think of the idea of a lotus birth?
7 Member comments Post a reply
With an increased interest in "Lotus Births" Sarah examines what it means for mum and bub.
Read the full blog post: Let's talk placenta.
Posted 13 June 2011 - 02:05 AM
I consider myself to be non-judgemental of other mum's choices for the most part. However... I would not want to do this, as I would find it revolting! I'd also not want to hold or visit with a child who was attached in this way, especially an older placenta.
I've read articles about this, where the parents were saying they did it in the middle of summer, and there were flies buzzing all around it. It might be fine for other parents, and I respect that, but I couldn't bring myself to do it and I'm not convinced there are any benefits.
I would, however, had we owned our own home directly after giving birth, plant the placenta under a lemon tree or something. I've known people who've done that and ended up with the most beautiful lemons as a result.
Posted 15 June 2011 - 02:54 PM
I've never heard of this before and it really personally freaks me out. Nothing against other mothers who do but it's quiet sickening.
Wouldn't the placenta smell after awhile or could make your baby sick?
I just wouldn't do it!.
Posted 20 August 2011 - 02:31 AM
Maybe they could leave it attached until the blood stops flowing..? then cut it off like usual
Posted 20 August 2011 - 03:46 AM
Would the placenta not start to decompose even if it was salted?
Posted 20 August 2011 - 03:57 AM
I know people that do this and its not an issue at all. It makes them slow down, its good that other people are hesitant about holding bubs, who says babies like being passed around anyway!
The placenta isn't really there for that long. I mean my dds umbilical cord dropped off after 4 days for dd1 and 3days for dd2..... the placenta is in a bag. Its drying. Its not some massive big dripping splodgy thing being carted around....
I haven't done a lotus birth... we have dogs. It would just be too tempting for them. lol. however I have no issues with it at all. How could I when I kept my own placenta in the freezer for a year until i planted it.... I totally get why people would do it though. I found the significance of the cord cutting very emotional and we waited until it had well and truly stopped pulsating!
Posted 20 August 2011 - 05:42 AM
I have no idea what to think about this. I wouldnt like the idea of looking after the placeta aswell as my bub. and about keeping it i couldnt as it had to be tested as it had stoped working when my bub was 33 weeks so i had her at 38 weeks and the cord droped of like 5 or 6 days after i had her
Posted 13 November 2011 - 10:19 PM
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