Are you aware of 'Vaginal Seeding' performed on babies born by cesarean section?

If you are also planning to have a baby by C-section , you may have heard about a new thing called 'Vaginal Seeding' while surfing the internet. You may have heard some people say that it is very good for the baby and that it boosts immunity. What does this actually mean? Is this really good for the baby? Let's talk about this in a little more detail, very simply.

Simply put, what is 'Vaginal Seeding'?

'Vaginal Seeding' is a very simple procedure. After the baby is delivered by cesarean section, a small amount of the mother's vaginal secretions are taken and applied to the baby's mouth, face, and body. Some people also call this 'microbirthing'.

But there is not yet a lot of data on how safe or effective this is. For this reason, major medical organizations around the world, such as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), do not currently recommend this method outside of medical research .

Why are people tempted to do this?

To understand this, we first need to know about some of the little friends in our bodies.

What is this 'Microbiome'?

Imagine that our body is like a big city. In this city, not only us, but millions of other tiny creatures live. These are called microbes . That is, invisible creatures like bacteria , fungi, and viruses . These are everywhere on our skin, in our mouths, in our intestines, and in our genital areas.

We call the ecosystem that all these microorganisms create together the 'microbiome'.Most of these are not the ones that make us sick, but the beneficial microbes that help our bodies. They help us digest our food, protect us from disease, and strengthen our immune system .

So how does this relate to C-section?

When a baby is born normally, that is, through a vaginal delivery, the baby comes out through the mother's vagina. As it comes out, the beneficial microorganisms (vaginal flora) that we talked about in the mother's vagina are spread all over the baby's body. This is the first seeds that the baby's own 'microbiome' gets to grow. This starts the growth of beneficial bacteria in the baby's intestines.

The idea of ​​those considering 'Vaginal Seeding' is to artificially restore this natural process that was lost after a C-section to the baby.

Are babies born by C-section more likely to have health problems?

This is a question that many people ask. Some research has shown that babies born by cesarean section may have a slightly higher risk of certain health conditions than babies born by vaginal delivery.

Supporters of 'Vaginal Seeding' believe that giving the baby vaginal bacteria can reduce this risk. But the important thing here is that doctors have not yet been able to come to a firm conclusion about whether changes in the microbiome are the only cause of these diseases. Therefore, further research is being conducted on this.

What is the biggest risk of 'Vaginal Seeding'?

This is where we all need to be most concerned. The mother's vagina is not only home to beneficial microbes. Sometimes, it can also contain harmful bacteria and viruses that can cause very dangerous infections for the baby.

When we do 'Vaginal Seeding', we can intentionally give these harmful microbes to the baby. This increases the chances of the baby developing serious illnesses.

Because of this risk, doctors are thinking twice about this method and are not currently recommending it.

So if a baby is delivered by C-section, aren't there other safe ways to provide the baby with beneficial bacteria?

Absolutely! Without the risk of a 'Vaginal Seeding' procedure, there are two very simple, safe, and effective ways to help your C-section baby build a healthy microbiome.

1. Breastfeeding: This is the best and most important way. A mother's breast milk is not only about nutrition. It contains hundreds of beneficial bacteria and other important components that are necessary for the development of the baby's microbiome. In addition, the baby also receives the beneficial bacteria that are present on the skin around the mother's nipples when she drinks. The benefits of breastfeeding for as long as possible, especially for the first 6 months, are invaluable.

2. Skin-to-skin contact: This is when you hold your baby on your chest as soon as he or she is born. This provides your baby with the beneficial microbes on your skin. It also strengthens the bond between you and your baby, regulates your baby's body temperature, and calms your baby. Dads can do this too.

These two methods have been scientifically proven to help your baby build a healthy microbiome without any risks.

If you're thinking of doing this yourself...

Even though doctors don't recommend it, some parents may be tempted to do this on their own. If you're thinking about doing something like this, please talk to your doctor first .

If you do, be very careful about your baby's signs of infection. If you notice any of the following signs, call your doctor without delay or take your baby to the nearest hospital's Emergency Department (ETU).

• Cough
• Fever or body temperature lower than normal
• Eye diseases (Conjunctivitis)
• Reducing or avoiding dairy intake
• Rapid breathing
• Skin rash
• Lethargy