Qualitative Study on the Experience of Lotus Birth

Abstract

Objective: To describe the experiences of women who had lotus births, that is, leaving the umbilical cord uncut so that the placenta remains attached to the newborn until the umbilical cord naturally detaches.

Design: Descriptive phenomenological.

Setting: Seven cities in four geographic regions of Turkey.

Participants: Nine women who experienced lotus birth.

Methods: Data were collected through semistructured, face-to-face interviews.

Results: Our analysis revealed six themes: Meaning of the Lotus Birth Experience, Decision Making Regarding Lotus Birth, Lotus Birth Process, Perceived Benefits and Disadvantages of Lotus Birth, Reactions to Lotus Birth, and The Future of Lotus Birth. In addition, we created 15 subthemes related to these overarching themes.

Conclusions: The themes we extracted are reflective of the desire for a natural and healthy birth that is experienced as positive and beneficial. Our results contribute to a deeper and more nuanced understanding of lotus birth. Moreover, our findings provide women and all health care providers, especially maternity nurses, with valuable information and increased awareness of lotus birth.

Keywords: birth; lotus; placenta; women.