Umbilical Cord Burning

The physiology of pregnancy and birth are natural, yet miraculous events. The placenta and umbilical cord nourish the baby while it is in utero. A lovely way to honor this gift of nourishment is to burn the umbilical cord. 

Cord burning is a sacred process where the baby is separated from the gift of life, the placenta by cauterization. Cord burning eliminates the need for sterile tools to clamp and cut the cord. Environmentally cord burning eliminates the need for a plastic cord clamp or other disposable clamping devices. The umbilical cord is catheterized eliminating risk of infection with fire/heat. The heat is warming and brings energy, Chi to the newborn. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)  believes that the placenta holds Chi. During birth a lot of heat is lost. Cord burning brings heat and draws the vital essence from placenta to the baby, strengthening the baby (Couch, 2015). The cord burning process takes around 10 minutes. During the cord burning process a song can be sang, prayers can be said or the baby can be simply marveled at. 

Delayed cord clamping occurs when cord burning is practiced, ensuring that the baby receives all of its blood and stem cells from the placenta. Immediate cord clamping deprives the baby of 30% of the baby’s blood volume which can cause hypovolemia, anemia and the need for blood transfusion. Delayed cord clamping results in higher hematocrit and hemoglobin levels (Andersson, Hellström-Westas, Andersson, Dommellöf, 2011). 

What is needed for cord burning:

• 1 or 2 taper beeswax candles with lead free wicks.
• 1 or 2 people to hold the candles. 
• A candle, match or lighter to light the candle(s).
• Something to separate the baby from the candles (a barrier). There are beautiful cord burning boxes available (see below) or a pie tin, placenta bowl, aluminum foil or cardboard cut out can be used.
• A bowl or cup of water to extinguish the flame.

*If there is an oxygen tank in the room, be sure that it is turned off and not open*

Process

• The placenta is born and the umbilical cord has stopped pulsing to ensure that the newborn has received all of its blood volume.
• The newborn is in its mama’s arms, laying on its side away, the baby can be breastfeeding at this time.
• 1 or 2 people can assist with burning the cord.
• The flame from the candles can be held together at the location where the cord is being burnt. 
• During cord burning smoke and odor may be present. There may be sizzling sounds.
• After the cord is severed, be careful to not place the hot end of the cord on the baby’s body until it is cooled off.
• If the cord is long, it can be looped up and tied.
• The umbilical cord often dries up and falls off within a few days.

*There may be popping sounds when the blood gases are escaping from the cord being burnt*

More information can be found here:
http://www.cordburning.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcsoTTj2vOA

Cord Burning Boxes:
Patricia Edmunds, Oregon midwife sells beautiful wood cord burning boxes. She can be reached here: patricia.edmonds@pcc.edu

Ceramic Cord Burning Bowls:
Heidi Hennigan 
720-295-2492
Tnb.heidi@gmail.com
www.TenderNewBeginnings.com

References:

Andersson, O., Hellström-Westas, L., Andersson, D., & Domellöf, M. (2011). Effect of delayed versus early umbilical cord clamping on neonatal outcomes and iron status at 4 months: a randomised controlled trial. Bmj, 343, d7157.

Couch, P. (2015) Personal communication
​

---