Benefits
Doula Benefits
Continuous Emotional & Physical Support
• Provides reassurance, encouragement, and comfort throughout labor.
• Offers pain management techniques such as massage, breathing exercises, and positioning assistance.
• Stays with the birthing person throughout labor, unlike medical providers who may have other patients.
Reduced Need for Medical Interventions
• Studies show doulas can help decrease the need for epidurals, Pitocin, and cesarean sections.
• Encourages natural coping strategies to help manage labor pain.
• Supports a smoother labor process, potentially leading to shorter labor durations.
Evidence-Based Information & Advocacy
• Helps families understand their birth options and make informed decisions.
• Assists in communicating birth preferences with the medical team.
• Provides unbiased, research-backed guidance on labor and postpartum care.
Postpartum Support
• Assists with breastfeeding and newborn care education.
• Supports emotional recovery and adjustment to parenthood.
• Reduces the risk of postpartum depression by providing continuous care and reassurance.
Enhanced Birth Experience
• Promotes a calmer, more empowered birth environment.
• Helps the birthing person feel heard, respected, and confident in their choices.
• Strengthens the bond between parents and their baby through informed and supportive care.
Lotus Birth
Placenta Encapsulation
Gentle Transition for the Baby
• A lotus birth allows the baby to transition from womb to world more gradually, preserving their energetic and physiological connection to the placenta.
• It is believed to reduce trauma by honoring the natural separation process.
Increased Blood Volume and Nutrients
• Keeping the cord intact for an extended period may ensure that the baby receives all remaining stem cells, oxygen-rich blood, and nutrients from the placenta, supporting immunity and development.
Supports Immune Function
• The additional stem cells and white blood cells from delayed separation may help strengthen the newborn’s immune system.
4. Promotes Healing
• Some believe that babies who experience a lotus birth have faster healing of their umbilical site with less risk of infection.
Spiritual and Emotional Significance
• Many families view the placenta as sacred and believe that a lotus birth fosters a strong spiritual bond between the baby and their first life source.
• It encourages mindfulness and a slower postpartum experience.
Reduced Risk of Infection from Cutting the Cord
• By avoiding cord cutting, there is no open wound on the umbilical stump, potentially lowering the risk of infection.
Care During a Lotus Birth:
• Keep the Placenta Clean: Rinse, pat dry, and store in a breathable container or wrapped in a cloth.
• Herbal Salts or Lavender: Sprinkle salts or herbs to reduce moisture and odor.
• Gentle Handling: Avoid pulling or placing tension on the cord.
Hormonal Balance
• The placenta contains hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, and oxytocin, which may help the body regulate postpartum hormone levels and reduce mood swings or baby blues.
Increased Energy
• Mothers report feeling more energized after taking placenta capsules, which can help combat postpartum fatigue.
Reduced Risk of Postpartum Depression
• Consuming placenta capsules may help stabilize mood by replenishing hormones and nutrients, potentially lowering the risk of postpartum depression.
Improved Breast Milk Production
• Placenta consumption is believed to boost lactation by providing essential hormones such as prolactin and oxytocin.
Restored Iron Levels
• The placenta contains iron, which may help prevent postpartum anemia, a common cause of fatigue and weakness.
Reduced Postpartum Bleeding
• The hormones in the placenta, particularly oxytocin, can help the uterus contract, reducing postpartum bleeding and promoting uterine recovery.
Enhanced Healing
• The nutrients and stem cells in the placenta may support tissue repair and overall postpartum recovery.
Stress Reduction
• The placenta contains corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), which helps regulate the body’s response to stress.