FROM water births to home births, there’s a host of options when it comes to having a baby.
Often a raw and moving experience, every woman has a different idea of how she wants to welcome her child into the world.
Some women are choosing to 'free birth' - meaning they give birth at home, outdoors and without drugs.
But now natural birthing has gone to a new level where some new mums are licking their baby after they're born.
Birthing photographer Ludy Sequeira captured the amazing moment a mum licked her newborn after he was born, sharing the images with 27K followers around the world.
The new mum, Cátia- from Salvador, Brazil - had her amazing journey from the first labour pains to the moment she welcomed her her son, Kirone, documented by the photographer.
But while licking a new baby may seem a bit icky to some, it's actually part of the bonding process, and can help form a connection with a newborn, which is crucial - just like when they’re placed on their mum’s chest.
Birthing expert Flor Cruz, a maternity healthcare professional, explained licking was an entirely natural response which kicks in as soon as mums see their newborn.
She said on website Mum’s Grapevine: “Mammals are known to lick and clean their young immediately upon birth.
“Mammals still lick their newborns and eat the afterbirth.
"Except for most humans.
“But humans at one point in time used to exhibit all of these same behaviours.”
Flor said there are still a host of benefits to licking newborns, such as taking in nutrients from the afterbirth.
The bacteria from the baby can trigger which antibodies are needed to be produced by the mum via her breast milk.
Flor also pointed to how consuming the placenta after birth is also becoming more commonplace.
One high-profile celebrity who recently opened up about it her childbirth is Khloe Kardashian, who claimed she had her placenta made into pill form.
Flor continued: “We have returned to consuming our placentas.
“All this also sends your body signals on what antibodies to send your baby through breastmilk, it stimulates your baby, bonds and socialises him."
Flor explains the urge to lick their babies stems from a deep instinct to protect them.
She said: “But some mothers still have the strong urge to lick their newborns.
“And they do just that.
"For some it's a physiological necessity.
“A calling from ancestors.
"Instinctual acts of love and ensuring the survival of young.”
She added that there are still two cultures which still regularly practice this; the Tibetans and Inuit.
