Umbilical nonseverance is a new trend among some mothers, a birthing practice that lets the cord detach from the newborn baby naturally. Lotus Birth, as it's called, is said to soften the birth experience and benefit the baby.
When the baby leaves its mother's womb, the umbilical cord feeds the baby less oxygen naturally within two minutes. The baby is encouraged to breathe on its own and the process is said to be safer than the traditional practice of cutting the umbilical cord.
Immediate cutting of the umbilical cord stops blood from the placenta from going to the baby. This blood is rich in stem cells and is important to the baby's development.
A study conducted in 2010 found that the baby is allowed to receive vital stem cells if the umbilical cord is not cut right away. Lotus birth further lengthens the amount of time cord blood, containing important stem cells, can transfer to the baby.
"It allows a complete transfer of placental/cord blood into the baby at a time when the baby needs that nourishment the most. Babies' immune systems are going through huge changes at a very rapid rate when they're first born. Not disrupting the baby's blood volume at that time helps prevent future disease," midwife Mary Ceallaigh said in an interview with the New York Post. Cealliaigh is a traditional birth attendant and Lotus birth educator.
Lotus birth advocates also say that letting the umbilical cord detach on its own helps for the mother and baby to bond. The cord can take up to 10 days to naturally detach.
