Doctors are warning against this trending birth practice

Doctors are warning new parents against a trending practice whereby the baby is left attached to the umbilical cord and placenta until they fall away naturally.

While the standard protocol is to cut the umbilical cord as soon as possible, Lotus births see parents skip the traditional cutting of the cord altogether… leaving it to shrivel and dry for up to two weeks.

#EzRepost @only_one_takeya with @ezrepostapp @Regrann from @frobabies – Lotus Birth: Lotus birth (or umbilical nonseverance) is the practice of leaving the umbilical cord uncut after childbirth so that the baby is left attached to the placenta until the cord naturally separates at the umbilicus, usually a few days after birth. Here are 7 reasons why you might consider lotus birth: Your baby receives all of the placental blood as the umbilical cord is left Promotes a time of rest and peace allowing new parents and their baby to adjust Mother and baby stay together, enhancing the bonding process. Mothers are more likely to rest and recover from birth as they are encouraged to stay with their babies as much as possible. Babies are less likely to be disturbed by being “passed around” as visitors are more likely to be like-minded about lotus birth. Babies are observed by their parents to be calmer and more peaceful than those who have their cords cut immediately after birth. The process and practice honours the connection the baby has had with the placenta that has nourished her for nine months and values the transition stage between womb and world. ?#Frobabies #babyFever #melanin #maternity #expecting #babybump #pregnant #newborn #organic #breastfeed #momsofinstagram #mommyblogger #bestoftheday #photooftheday #blacklOve #mommylife #bumppositive #survivor #momlife #queen #goddess #lotusbirth #blackpregnancy#fromomchronicles #treeoflife – #regrann

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The placenta is then wrapped in muslin cloths which are changed regularly and covered in rose petals to stop them from smelling.

While medical experts have long warned this increases the risk of infection, fans quote research suggesting that keeping the umbilical cord of a newborn intact for a little longer may lead to health benefits including higher blood and iron levels.

Doctors are unconvinced:

“If left for a period of time after the birth, there is a risk of infection in the placenta which can consequently spread to the baby,” a spokesperson from The British Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists said.

I love everything about this…dad in Star Wars shirt and rad tattoos carrying new babe still attached to the placenta!!!! #birthisrad #birthphotography #birthwithoutfear #documentaryphotography #raw #placenta #homebirth #midwives #doula #kelownaphotographer #vernonphotographer #dadlife #dontforgetdads #tattoo #tattoodad #starwars #lotusbirth #letthembelittle #clickinmoms @lensofourlives @dontforgetdads @carriagehousebirth @rockstarbirthmag @birthofamama @birthbecomesher @birth_photography @thebump @candidchildhood @childhoodunplugged @birthwithoutfear @birthbecomesher @stopcensoringmotherhood

A post shared by Krista Evans (@krista.evans.photography) on May 15, 2017 at 7:46pm PDT

“The placenta is particularly prone to infection as it contains blood. Within a short time after birth, once the umbilical cord has stopped pulsating, the placenta has no circulation and is essentially dead tissue.”