|
|
| Line 1: |
Line 1: |
| '''Vaginal seeding,''' also known as '''microbirthing''',<ref>{{cite web | first = Lydia |last = Smith | name-list-format = vanc |title=Vaginal seeding: Doctors warn new mothers not to embrace dangerous ‘microbirthing’ trend |url= https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/vaginal-seeding-microbirthing-mothers-caesarean-birth-trend-dangerous-infection-a7907936.html|website=Independent UK|access-date=19 April 2018}}</ref> is a procedure whereby [[vagina]]l fluids (and hence vaginal [[microbe]]s) are applied to a new-born child delivered by [[caesarean section]]. The purpose of the technique is to recreate the natural transfer of bacteria that the baby gets during a [[Vaginal delivery|vaginal birth]]. It involves placing swabs in the mother’s [[vagina]], and then wiping them into the baby’s face, mouth, eyes and skin.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/about-us/tommys-midwives-blog/what-vaginal-seeding|title=Tommy's - What is vaginal seeding?|website=Tommy's |access-date=2018-10-27}}</ref>
| | {{Short description|A procedure to transfer vaginal microbiota to newborns delivered by C-section}} |
|
| |
|
| == Purpose ==
| | '''Vaginal seeding''' is a procedure that involves transferring vaginal fluids from a mother to her newborn child, particularly when the child is delivered via [[cesarean section]]. The practice aims to expose the newborn to the mother's vaginal microbiota, which is believed to play a role in the development of the infant's [[immune system]] and [[microbiome]]. |
| Infants delivered vaginally are exposed to beneficial [[microorganism]]s known as [[microbiota]] when they travel down the [[birth canal]]. The baby is exposed to the mother’s vaginal microbes that wash over the child in the birth canal, which coves the skin, and enters the baby’s eyes, ears, nose, and mouth. These microbes often travel down into the gut after being swallowed. It is said that these microbes are important in the [[postnatal development]] of the immune system of the baby.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Neu J, Rushing J | title = Cesarean versus vaginal delivery: long-term infant outcomes and the hygiene hypothesis | journal = Clinics in Perinatology | volume = 38 | issue = 2 | pages = 321–31 | date = June 2011 | pmid = 21645799 | pmc = 3110651 | doi = 10.1016/j.clp.2011.03.008 }}</ref>
| |
|
| |
|
| In the event that a [[C-section]] is done before labour starts or before a woman’s water breaks, the infant won't come into contact with maternal vaginal fluid or bacteria. Instead, they come in contact with skin microbes, a very different set of species.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.iflscience.com/health-and-medicine/what-vaginal-seeding/|title=What Is Vaginal Seeding?|work=IFLScience|access-date=2018-10-27 }}</ref> These differences, in turn, have been associated with increased risks of [[asthma]], [[Allergy|allergies]], [[obesity]], and [[Immunodeficiency|immune deficiencies]]. Thus, these differences appear more often in infants after a [[Caesarean section|caesarean delivery]] than after a vaginal delivery, according to certain epidemiological data.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Laubereau B, Filipiak-Pittroff B, von Berg A, Grübl A, Reinhardt D, Wichmann HE, Koletzko S | title = Caesarean section and gastrointestinal symptoms, atopic dermatitis, and sensitisation during the first year of life | journal = Archives of Disease in Childhood | volume = 89 | issue = 11 | pages = 993–7 | date = November 2004 | pmid = 15499049 | pmc = 1719727 | doi = 10.1136/adc.2003.043265 }}</ref>
| | ==Background== |
| | During a [[vaginal birth]], a newborn is naturally exposed to the mother's vaginal and intestinal microbiota. This exposure is thought to help colonize the infant's gut with beneficial bacteria, which can influence the development of the immune system and protect against certain diseases. In contrast, infants born via [[cesarean section]] may have a different initial microbiota composition, as they are not exposed to the vaginal microbiota during birth. |
|
| |
|
| The purpose behind the practice of vaginal seeding or micro birthing is that it allows an infant delivered via caesarean section to come in contact with microbes from the birth canal. The expectation is that this may boost their gut bacteria and lessen the danger of health issues normally associated with caesarian infants. It contributes to the seeding of the infant gut.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Dominguez-Bello MG, De Jesus-Laboy KM, Shen N, Cox LM, Amir A, Gonzalez A, Bokulich NA, Song SJ, Hoashi M, Rivera-Vinas JI, Mendez K, Knight R, Clemente JC | title = Partial restoration of the microbiota of cesarean-born infants via vaginal microbial transfer | journal = Nature Medicine | volume = 22 | issue = 3 | pages = 250–3 | date = March 2016 | pmid = 26828196 | pmc = 5062956 | doi = 10.1038/nm.4039 }}</ref> | | ==Procedure== |
| | The vaginal seeding procedure typically involves swabbing the mother's vagina with sterile gauze or cotton swabs shortly before delivery. After the cesarean section, the swabs are used to wipe the newborn's mouth, face, and body, thereby transferring the mother's vaginal microbiota to the infant. |
|
| |
|
| == Evidence == | | ==Potential Benefits== |
| It is unclear whether vaginal seeding has long term benefits or whether it is safe. In 2016 a small study was published in the Journal Nature Medicine to look into the benefits of vaginal seeding. However, the study authors acknowledged that the consequences of vaginal seeding remain unclear due to limited data.
| | Proponents of vaginal seeding suggest that it may help mimic the natural exposure to maternal microbiota that occurs during vaginal birth. This exposure is thought to: |
| | * Promote the development of a healthy [[gut microbiome]] |
| | * Enhance the infant's [[immune system]] |
| | * Reduce the risk of certain conditions associated with cesarean delivery, such as [[asthma]], [[allergies]], and [[obesity]] |
|
| |
|
| In 2017, a subsequent study was published which found that there wasn’t a big difference, after six weeks, between the microbes of infants born vaginally versus those who received vaginal seeding.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.elle.com/uk/life-and-culture/culture/a19848281/vaginal-seeding/|title=Vaginal Seeding: What Is It And Why Is It So Controversial?|date=2018-04-18|work=ELLE|access-date=2018-10-27 }}</ref> which further added to the confusion. Furthermore, certain scholars have pointed out that a baby's exposure to bacteria begins even before birth and more research is required on this matter.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thebump.com/a/vaginal-seeding|title=Why Vaginal Seeding May Be a Trend to Avoid|access-date=2018-10-27}}</ref>
| | ==Risks and Controversies== |
| | Despite its potential benefits, vaginal seeding is a controversial practice. Concerns have been raised about the risk of transferring harmful pathogens from the mother to the infant, such as [[Group B Streptococcus]], [[herpes simplex virus]], and other infections. As a result, some medical professionals advise against the practice unless more research is conducted to establish its safety and efficacy. |
|
| |
|
| == Risks == | | ==Current Research== |
| Infants delivered by C-section are at a lower danger of exchange of some potentially harmful microbes and infections from the birth canal. However, with vaginal seeding, these harmful microorganisms and infections could be exchanged to the infant on a swab and potentially cause an [[infection]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.iflscience.com/health-and-medicine/what-vaginal-seeding/|title=What Is Vaginal Seeding?|work=IFLScience|access-date=2018-10-27 }}</ref>
| | Research on vaginal seeding is ongoing, with studies examining its impact on the infant microbiome and long-term health outcomes. Some studies have shown promising results, while others highlight the need for caution and further investigation. |
|
| |
|
| An editorial written in the [[The BMJ|British Medical Journal]] is advising practitioners and parents to not perform vaginal seeding as there is not enough evidence that it is beneficial for infants and could potentially put babies' health at risk.<ref name="pmid26906151">{{cite journal | vauthors = Cunnington AJ, Sim K, Deierl A, Kroll JS, Brannigan E, Darby J | title = "Vaginal seeding" of infants born by caesarean section | journal = BMJ (Clinical Research Ed.) | volume = 352 | pages = i227 | date = February 2016 | pmid = 26906151 | doi = 10.1136/bmj.i227 | url = https://press.psprings.co.uk/bmj/february/vaginalseeding.pdf | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160303030953/https://press.psprings.co.uk/bmj/february/vaginalseeding.pdf | archive-date = 3 March 2016 | dead-url = yes | lay-url = https://www.bellybelly.com.au/birth/is-vaginal-seeding-dangerous/ | lay-source = BellyBelly }}</ref>
| | ==Related pages== |
| | * [[Microbiome]] |
| | * [[Cesarean section]] |
| | * [[Immune system]] |
| | * [[Gut microbiota]] |
|
| |
|
| [[American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists|The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists]] (ACOG) also does not encourage or recommend vaginal seeding due to lack of evidence.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.acog.org/About-ACOG/News-Room/News-Releases/2017/Vaginal-Seeding-Not-Recommended-for-Infants|title=Vaginal Seeding Not Recommended for Infants - ACOG|website=www.acog.org|access-date=2018-10-27}}</ref> | | [[Category:Obstetrics]] |
| | | [[Category:Microbiology]] |
| == See also ==
| | [[Category:Neonatology]] |
| {{Portal|Biology}}
| |
| * [[Hygiene hypothesis]]
| |
| * [[Outline of obstetrics]] - re the care of all women's reproductive tracts and their children during pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period
| |
| {{Clear}}
| |
| | |
| == References ==
| |
| {{Reflist}}
| |
| | |
| {{Use DMY dates|date=February 2016}}
| |
| {{Use British English|date=February 2016}}
| |
| | |
| {{DEFAULTSORT:Vaginal Seeding}}
| |
| [[Category:Childbirth]] | |
| [[Category:Cesarian sections]] | |
| | |
| | |
| {{Womens-health-stub}}
| |
| {{stb}}
| |
| | |
| {{No image}}
| |
A procedure to transfer vaginal microbiota to newborns delivered by C-section
Vaginal seeding is a procedure that involves transferring vaginal fluids from a mother to her newborn child, particularly when the child is delivered via cesarean section. The practice aims to expose the newborn to the mother's vaginal microbiota, which is believed to play a role in the development of the infant's immune system and microbiome.
Background[edit]
During a vaginal birth, a newborn is naturally exposed to the mother's vaginal and intestinal microbiota. This exposure is thought to help colonize the infant's gut with beneficial bacteria, which can influence the development of the immune system and protect against certain diseases. In contrast, infants born via cesarean section may have a different initial microbiota composition, as they are not exposed to the vaginal microbiota during birth.
Procedure[edit]
The vaginal seeding procedure typically involves swabbing the mother's vagina with sterile gauze or cotton swabs shortly before delivery. After the cesarean section, the swabs are used to wipe the newborn's mouth, face, and body, thereby transferring the mother's vaginal microbiota to the infant.
Potential Benefits[edit]
Proponents of vaginal seeding suggest that it may help mimic the natural exposure to maternal microbiota that occurs during vaginal birth. This exposure is thought to:
Risks and Controversies[edit]
Despite its potential benefits, vaginal seeding is a controversial practice. Concerns have been raised about the risk of transferring harmful pathogens from the mother to the infant, such as Group B Streptococcus, herpes simplex virus, and other infections. As a result, some medical professionals advise against the practice unless more research is conducted to establish its safety and efficacy.
Current Research[edit]
Research on vaginal seeding is ongoing, with studies examining its impact on the infant microbiome and long-term health outcomes. Some studies have shown promising results, while others highlight the need for caution and further investigation.
Related pages[edit]
