The birth of the first child is a tremendous boon, as well as the amount of responsibility that must be borne by the parents. I wonder if the new parents tend to be overwhelmed taking care of their first child, especially if inexperienced. However, a labor consultant from the U.S. suggests that one way to deal with it is not to cut the umbilical cord or placenta of the child. What's the relevance?
According to consulting and labor companion origin of Austin, Texas, USA named Mary Ceallaigh, the delivery method is said to allow the placenta was cut to dry and break up by itself this will help strengthen the bond between mother and baby.
"The trend is more and more adapted in Western culture, especially among people who tend to be holistic. In other words this is one way to create an optimal start in life for the baby," said Ceallaigh (47).
Although the practice seems modern, Ceallaigh said delivery method called the 'lotus birth' is apparently derived from the ritual that has been carried out by the people of Bali, Indonesia.
Umbilical cord was not cut naturally it will close one hour after delivery. Then follows the umbilical cord and placenta will continue to stick hanging down on the baby's body for two to 10 days until it dries and detached by itself.
"Moreover, many people who do not understand that the baby and the placenta derived from the same cells. So this is not merely a waste product produced by the body separately," he explained.
Supports this method, Dr. James Van Hook, director of Maternal Fetal Medicine at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, said if doctors delay or clicking clamp-clamp and cut the baby's umbilical cord after delivery then there are opportunities for the newborn to get the final transfusion of blood cells rich in stem cells and immunoglobulin. In theory, these cells can help the baby resist infections or immune to the disease.
Van Hook also warned that in some cases the umbilical cord is clamped a few minutes after birth may not be able to close naturally.
"On the one hand we want the safest delivery process that can be done and on the other hand, this is a natural process," Van Hook said as quoted by FoxNews, Friday (04/12/2013).
But Van Hook denies the 'lotus birth' has flaws. The most risky aspect of this method is the physician should ascertain if the area around the navel remains clean so that would not raise the risk of infection, including ensuring that the placenta and umbilical cord does not affect the baby's care.
Van Hook himself admitted that he would not mind if the patient decides to use this new method was problematic during pregnancy conditions. "My decision to return to the patient," he concluded.