There are two kinds of people in this world- those who can’t get enough of birth, and those who see it as a necessary evil in order to keep the species alive.
Most doulas fall into the first category, and I’m no exception. But can I be honest with you? I don’t love every single thing about birth.
In fact, I think vernix is a little bit gross.
If you haven’t yet seen a baby immediately after birth, and before he’s wiped down, you may not know what I’m talking about.
But if you’ve seen a baby come out covered in a waxy, creamy white substance? That, my observant friend, is vernix caseosa.
And I just don’t like the look of it.
But before the all natural birth junkies come to tell me I’m vernix-shaming, know that I’m not knocking vernix altogether. It’s good and useful!
We can thank vernix for:
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Keeping baby moisturized, with its antioxidant properties and fatty structure.
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Warming baby up, and regulating baby’s temperature.
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Providing lube as baby comes through the birth canal.
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Keep baby safe, since it has anti-bacterial properties and shields delicate skin from the acidic amniotic fluid.
For all of these reasons, studies have found that waiting to bathe a baby can be a good thing, because vernix continues to provide benefits after birth.
All of this is amazing. It reminds me of how well-designed birth really is. All hail the power of vernix!
Yet and still. It’s just not the cutest thing your baby will ever wear, and I can’t possibly be the only one who feels this way. Imagine if someone walked around covered in that liquid on the top of greek yogurt. I wouldn’t judge them for it. And I’m sure it would be purposeful. Greek yogurt is good for you! I just think it wouldn’t be their very best look.
For the record: I love the privilege of witnessing birth and I have yet to see a client’s baby who wasn’t absolutely adorable from the moment I get to meet him in person.
I’ll be thrilled when your baby arrives– even if she’s absolutely covered in vernix.
I believe that we should celebrate even the messiest parts of birth, and you don’t have to do anything about it on my account. That’s why I’m a doula.
I’m just secretly (well, not anymore) thankful that by the time I check on you a couple of days later, no one looks like they bathed in cream cheese.
Learn more about our labor support here, we want to be there through every step of the way.
