This is where a mother choses not to cut the umbilical cord following the birth, and instead, allows the cord to dry out and fall off naturally (as it would in the case of the small stump that is left when the cord has been severed). This means that both the cord and placenta will remain attached to the child until it falls away naturally.

For people who are not familiar with this idea, the initial reaction will be one of slight shock and perhaps some disgust as they immeadiately assume...