Vaginal seeding
Vaginal seeding, also known as microbirthing[1], is a procedure whereby vaginal fluids (and hence vaginal microbes) are applied to a new-born child delivered by caesarean section.
The purpose is to create a biome that is equivalent to a baby delivered vaginally. The motivation is that some research has linked delivery by caesarean section to a higher rate of asthma, propensity to become overweight, and autoimmune conditions.
Risks
Vaginal fluids can host a wide variety of pathogens, and therefore there is a risk of causing infection by using this procedure.
An editorial in The BMJ concluded that "the small risk of harm cannot be justified without evidence of benefit."[2]
Doctors in Denmark and the UK said there was too little evidence to support vaginal seeding, and it may be doing more harm than good.[3]
See also
- Hygiene hypothesis
- Outline of obstetrics - re the care of all women's reproductive tracts and their children during pregnancy , childbirth and the postnatal period
References
- ^ "Vaginal seeding: Doctors warn new mothers not to embrace dangerous 'microbirthing' trend". Independent UK. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
- ^ ""Vaginal seeding" of infants born by caesarean section" (PDF). BMJ: i227. 23 February 2016. doi:10.1136/bmj.i227. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
- ^ Gallagher, James. "Vaginal seeding after Caesarean 'risky', warn doctors". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 23 August 2017.
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