Contents:
- Medical Video: Developing a baby's microbiome
- What is vaginal seeding?
- Vaginal seeding has not been scientifically proven
- Then how do you increase the immunity of babies born with caesarean?
Medical Video: Developing a baby's microbiome
The immune system of a newborn is not fully mature so that it will be more susceptible to illness in the first days of life. Therefore, newborns are very dependent on the presence of bacterial colonies in their intestines to build and strengthen the immune system. Several studies have shown that babies born normally have more good bacteria than babies born with caesarean. One way to increase the population of good bacteria in the intestines of babies born with caesareans is through vaginal seeding. Here's the full information.
What is vaginal seeding?
Vaginal seeding is also known as microbirthing is vaginal hatchery to repair and restore good bacteria to newborns.
The trick is to take a sample of the mother's vaginal fluid that contains good bacteria, and then apply it to the mouth, nose, or skin of a newborn baby.
Besides restoring good bacteria to babies, this procedure is also believed to reduce the risk of babies having asthma, allergies, and immune disorders.
Vaginal seeding has not been scientifically proven
Quoted from WebMD, several recent studies have shown that vaginal hatchery techniques can equate the ecosystem of microbiota (good bacteria) in the body of a baby born by caesarean to look similar to the ecosystem of good bacteria in the body of a normal vaginal birth.
However, there is not enough scientific research to prove the efficacy of this procedure. No researchers have suggested this technique to be done in bulk.
This is similar to Dr. Patrick O’Brien, obstetric consultant and spokesperson for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (RCOG). O’Brien emphasized that, "There is no strong evidence to show that vaginal seeding is really useful. Therefore, we will not recommend this until more definitive research shows that vaginal seeding not dangerous and can indeed improve the digestive and immune systems of children. "
Also keep in mind that not all bacteria in the mother's vaginal fluid sample are good bacterial colonies. It could be that the vaginal fluid has the HIV virus, gonorrhea, chlamydia, or other bacterial infection seeds. Babies born with caesarean are certainly still at risk of being infected with these diseases.
If you are thinking of doing vaginal seeding, you should first discuss it with your doctor to further consider the risks and benefits for your baby's health.
Then how do you increase the immunity of babies born with caesarean?
Until now, professional medical experts did not recommend new mothers to do vaginal hatchery. There are other ways to improve the baby's immune system, namely by giving immunizations and exclusive breastfeeding.
This is in accordance with the opinion of Dr. Christopher Zahn, quoted by ACOG, "Breastfeeding for the first six months is the best way to overcome the lack of good bacteria in the intestines of babies born with caesarean. Bacteria in breast milk and in the nipple of the mother are enough to encourage the growth of good bacteria naturally. "
In general, antibodies will be produced by the child when he has passed the age of 6 months, and his immune system will mature when he is even one year old.
