Lotus Birth
By Ekaterina Cupelin | Naitre Mère
What if birth didn’t end with the cutting of a cord?
What if, instead of separating baby from placenta within minutes or hours, we waited—days even—for nature to make that decision? What if we trusted the unfolding of life to complete its own cycle?
This is the essence of Lotus Birth: a practice of leaving the umbilical cord uncut, allowing the placenta to remain attached to the baby until it detaches naturally, usually within 3 to 10 days.
A Gentle Separation
Lotus Birth invites slowness.
It invites reverence.
It challenges the idea that birth must be managed or rushed.
Instead of clamping or cutting the cord, the placenta is washed, salted, and wrapped in cloth or herbs, and kept close to the baby. It is carried tenderly, cradled alongside the newborn, until the connection dissolves on its own.
There is no sudden interruption. No forced cutting. Just a soft, physiological goodbye between baby and placenta—an organ that nourished and protected throughout pregnancy.
Why Some Parents Choose Lotus Birth
Families who choose Lotus Birth often speak of:
A desire for gentle, uninterrupted bonding
Respect for the sacred role of the placenta
A natural way to encourage stillness and rest in the early postpartum days
Belief in the energetic or spiritual significance of the placenta-baby connection
In many traditions, the placenta is honored as more than an organ—it is an intimate twin, a first companion, or even the body of the baby’s guardian angel.
Lotus Birth can be seen as an act of respect for this sacred relationship.
The Practical Side
If you are considering Lotus Birth, here are a few essentials:
Prepare in advance: Plan with your birth team. Ensure your midwife or care provider is familiar and supportive.
Cleanse the placenta: Rinse with warm water, pat dry, and apply sea salt and herbs (like lavender, myrrh, rosemary).
Wrap it lovingly: Use natural cloths or placenta bags that allow air circulation.
Store safely: Keep it cool and dry, and change dressings daily.
Keep baby close: Lotus babies tend to be carried more, moved less. It’s a built-in invitation to slow postpartum rhythms.
There is no need to rush. The detachment will come. And when it does, it often feels symbolic—like the baby has truly "arrived" in this world.
Is It Right for You?
Lotus Birth is not a trend or a prescription. It’s an invitation. Like all postpartum practices, it should come from a place of alignment—with your body, your baby, your values.
It requires preparation, openness, and a willingness to let birth linger.
Even if you don’t choose a full Lotus Birth, you might consider:
Delayed cord clamping (waiting for the cord to turn white and stop pulsing)
Creating a placenta ritual: burying it, planting a tree, making prints or salves
These are all ways of honoring what nourished your baby, and staying present to the mystery and magic of birth.
In Closing
At Naitre Mère, I believe in reclaiming the sacred in postpartum care.
Lotus Birth isn’t about being “natural” or “perfect.” It’s about presence—with your baby, with your body, with the great unfolding of life.
If you feel called to this practice, we’d be honored to support you.
And if you simply want to birth slowly, with respect and softness—this, too, is enough.
May you and your baby be gently welcomed into the world.