The loss of a baby is always heartbreaking, but when it results from preventable circumstances, it becomes a call to action. One such tragedy that has sparked growing concern is the death of a newborn following a lotus birth, a birthing practice where the umbilical cord is not cut, and the placenta remains attached to the baby until it naturally separates, which can take several days.
While the intentions behind lotus births are often rooted in spiritual, holistic, or natural-living beliefs, medical experts have warned of the potential dangers, especially when post-birth hygiene protocols aren’t followed. A tragic case brings urgency to a critical question: What health policies and safeguards are needed to prevent future deaths?
[ez-toc]
What Is Lotus Birth?
Lotus birth, also known as umbilical nonseverance, involves leaving the umbilical cord and placenta attached to the newborn after delivery until the cord dries and naturally detaches, typically 3 to 10 days postpartum. Advocates of lotus birth believe this method offers a gentle transition to life, minimises trauma, and allows all the blood from the placenta to return to the baby.
However, medical authorities do not support lotus birth as a safe practice. Unlike a delayed cord clamping (which is medically beneficial and involves a 30-second to 3-minute delay in cutting the cord), lotus birth presents infection risks, as the placenta, once delivered, is essentially dead tissue prone to bacterial colonisation.
The Tragic Consequences: A Wake-Up Call
In a recent, devastating case reported publicly, a newborn died from a severe infection linked to a lotus birth. After being born healthy, the baby remained attached to the placenta for several days. Eventually, signs of illness appeared lethargy, poor feeding, and fever, but medical care was sought too late. Autopsy results confirmed sepsis (a life-threatening body-wide infection), with the placenta found to be a source of contamination.
While rare, these and similar incidents raise critical questions about how healthcare systems should respond to emerging birth trends that fall outside of evidence-based medical guidelines.
Why Lotus Birth Can Be Dangerous
Although done with loving intent, lotus birth carries real, documentable risks:
- Infection risk: The placenta is no longer living tissue once delivered, making it a breeding ground for bacteria. Since it remains physically attached to the baby, infections can easily enter the baby’s bloodstream.
- Delayed emergency response: Families who choose lotus birth may also lean away from traditional medical care, leading to delayed treatment if the baby becomes unwell.
- Lack of standardised hygiene practices: Some parents may follow anecdotal advice (e.g., using herbs or salt on the placenta) without understanding microbial risks or when to seek help.
- Absence of clinical monitoring: Babies kept at home without early postnatal checkups may miss crucial warning signs of infection or jaundice.
These risks are heightened in low-resource environments or when families receive little to no postnatal support or follow-up from qualified health professionals.
The Policy Gap: Why Action Is Needed
Currently, few countries have specific policies or clinical guidelines addressing lotus births directly. While medical bodies may caution against the practice, there is often no regulation, leaving families to make critical decisions without full knowledge of the risks, or worse, influenced by misinformation online.
This lack of guidance can leave health professionals uncertain about how to counsel families, and it allows unsafe practices to occur unchecked.
A tragic death is always one too many. Here are key policy areas where change is needed.
1. Clear National Guidelines on Umbilical Cord Management
Health authorities, such as ministries of health or national medical colleges, should create clear, evidence-based guidelines on umbilical cord care and explicitly address lotus birth.
Policies should include:
- The distinction between delayed cord clamping and lotus birth
- Medical risks associated with nonseverance of the cord
- Recommendations for standard cord clamping and cutting
- Language that is non-judgmental but clear in its caution
2. Mandatory Education for Expectant Parents
All parents should have access to balanced, factual education about newborn care options during antenatal visits and birthing classes. This education should:
- Present the science behind cord management
- Discuss the risks of lotus birth and alternatives like delayed clamping
- Provide case studies or anonymised examples (with sensitivity) where harm has occurred
- Emphasise the importance of prompt medical attention in newborn care
This content should be accessible in multiple languages and available across platforms clinics, hospitals, telehealth, and community centres.
3. Training for Midwives and Doulas
Midwives, doulas, and other birth attendants are often primary influencers in birth plans. They must receive up-to-date training on:
- The risks associated with a lotus birth
- How to counsel families with compassion and authority
- When to escalate concerns or refer for medical care
Regulatory bodies should include this topic in ongoing certification and continuing professional development (CPD) requirements.
4. Postnatal Follow-Up as Standard Protocol
Newborns, regardless of birth setting, should receive timely postnatal checkups, especially in cases where families are practising non-conventional care.
Policies could include:
- A home visit within the first 48 hours after birth for babies born outside hospitals
- Clear protocols for signs of infection or sepsis
- Follow-up appointments for cord and placenta status in Lotus births
In high-risk births or unassisted home births, early intervention could mean the difference between life and death.
5. Informed Consent Documentation
Healthcare systems can develop formal consent documents for families choosing a lotus birth. While not legally binding, these forms can:
- Ensure families receive full information about risks
- Document that providers have given clear guidance
- Open dialogue between medical teams and parents
This also protects care providers legally and ethically while encouraging open communication rather than conflict.
6. Public Health Campaigns and Misinformation Monitoring
Misinformation online often glorifies the lotus birth without mentioning the medical risks. Public health agencies should:
- Monitor social media platforms for trending health myths
- Launch educational campaigns to correct misinformation
- Collaborate with parenting influencers, doulas, and community leaders to amplify safe birthing messages
This proactive approach can shift the narrative from reaction to prevention.
You may also like: Post-Birth Antibiotics Slash Infection Risk
7. Emergency Protocols and Staff Preparedness
Hospitals and urgent care clinics should develop specific protocols for treating complications arising from lotus birth, including:
- Recognising signs of neonatal sepsis
- Fast-tracking assessments for babies still attached to placentas
- Avoiding stigma or blame, ensuring parents feel safe seeking help
Emergency departments should treat such cases with urgency and compassion, not judgment.
A Path Forward: Respecting Choice While Protecting Life
It’s important to acknowledge that many parents who choose lotus birth do so out of love, belief in natural practices, or mistrust of the medical system. Policies must not shame or alienate, but educate and protect.
By combining respectful communication, professional training, and evidence-based guidelines, we can:
- Support informed parental choice
- Reduce the risk of preventable newborn deaths
- Build trust between families and health professionals
Final Thoughts
The death of a baby is a profound tragedy. But in tragedy, there is also a responsibility to learn, to act, and to prevent similar outcomes for other families. No parent should lose a child due to a preventable infection. No baby should die from a misunderstood birth trend.
With the right policies in place, guided by compassion and science, we can make sure this doesn’t happen again.
