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Fathers are usually in the delivery room with two main tasks, soothing his pregnant wife and cutting the umbilical cord. Due to the increase in popularity behind lotus births, also known as umbilical nonseverance, the fathers' job to cut the cord might no longer be as important as before. Lotus births is an all natural process in which the mother chooses to stay connected to her newborn until the umbilical cord naturally separates. This process can take up to 10 days, and thus, the mothers must carry their infant with them everywhere.

The gaining popularity behind this process could be due to the fact that some people believe that the natural detaching of the umbilical cord provides more health benefits. According a lotus birth expert and midwife educator, Mary Ceallaigh from Texas, keeping the umbilical cord intact can decrease the chances for infection. She states that a lotus birth "allows a complete transfer of placental/cord blood into the baby at a time when the baby needs that nourishment the most." Ceallaigh has helped with over 100 natural deliveries, with over five percent of her clients opting for the lotus birth.

Although the lotus birth method sounds hard since the body is physically attached to the baby 24/7, Ceallaigh states that it can be a lot easier if the mind is prepared. She adds that thinking of the benefits can also help mothers stay focused during the days that it takes for the cord to sever.

"Babies immune systems are going through huge changes at a very rapid rate when they're first born. Not disrupting the baby's blood volume at that time prevents future disease," she explained. "The mother and baby benefit from having all the focused placed on bonding, rather than the common focus of 'who's going to cut the cord, cut the bond?' Invading the natural process when there's a healthy mother and baby is likely to cause harm in some way seen or unseen."

Most cords will break off after three days, but if the conditions are extremely humid, it will take a few more days. Ceallaigh states that although the cord can start smelling a bit after the first day, the process can be fulfilling and rewarding. People who like this method also claim that this process produces the prettiest belly buttons.