Lotus Birth: the Italian Society of Neonatology advises against it

More and more mothers are requesting Lotus Birth during childbirth, so much so that some hospitals have begun to allow this practice and others are considering whether to consider it among the various possibilities.

What is Lotus Birth?

The Lotus Birth comes from the name of the American nurse who in 1974 requested that the cord not be cut because she would have waited for it to detach itself from her child’s navel, which happens between 3 and 10 days after birth.

During this period, the placenta is carried in a bag or basin; to favor drying, coarse salt is used and to cover the bad smell, perfumed oils are used.

Lotus Birth supporters believe that this practice allows for a natural and gentle detachment and is a more respectful way to enter life.

Why is the Italian Society of Neonatology (SIN) against it?

According to SIN, there is no scientific evidence demonstrating benefits for mother and child. Indeed, cutting the cord late could put the child at risk of infection.

Those who request the Lotus Borth do so believing that this can allow a greater passage of blood from the placenta to the newborn. But this passage ends within a few minutes of birth, that is when the cord stops pulsing.

Lotus Birth is also not contemplated in the Ministerial Guidelines on childbirth. Therefore, in the event of adverse events for the mother or child during this practice, there would be legal problems.

For this reason, many hospitals do not support the requests of mothers, both because it does not guarantee compliance with health and hygiene standards and because of a real risk of infection.

Furthermore, according to the regulations, the placenta cannot be taken out of the hospital as it falls within the special waste that must be disposed of (Decree Law 152/2006; GSA urban hygiene N.3/2012; Presidential Decree 254, July 2003).

Even the informed consent of the parent may not be suitable to cancel the responsibility of the attending physician and the structure for a hypothetical judgment that could arise following damage to the newborn.

Obviously there are no rules that prohibit the Lotus Birth after a home birth even if the SIN strongly advises against practicing it and recommends close observation of the newborn to avoid a possible infection.