A new trend is emerging among mothers called "Lotus Births." Lotus Births refers to allowing the umbilical cord detach from the baby naturally, instead of the standard procedure of almost immediately clamping and severing the cord.

It can take up to 10 days (TEN DAYS!) for the umbilical cord to fall off. Of course, until that happens, the mother must carry the infant everywhere since they are physically bound to each other until it detaches. Although some might find this method a bit uncomfortable--or even sort of crazy--Mary Ceallaigh, a midwife and Lotus Birth advocate, say that it can be good for the baby and mother's health.

I'm glad I'm done having children because I always hated the pressure women go through during their pregnancies in terms of having to decide the best way to deliver their children. Hospital birth? C-section? Water birth? No drugs? Home birth? The first time I was pregnant, I actually caved in to all this pressure and opted to go with midwives instead of an OB/GYN.

Luckily, I didn't go as far a wanting a home birth and after reading about the real dangers behind this practice--which continues to grow in popularity--I am forever grateful I opted to have my children at the hospital--not that my midwives ever even gave me that option.