More moms are requesting their babies born via Caesarian section to be wiped with their vaginal secretions. Vaginal seeding is thought to give the newborn a host of beneficial germs to boost the immune system but health officials warn that this may put babies at risk of infection.
An article published in the British Medical Journal, however, suggests that medical practitioners should stop using the technique until more research is done on its risks and benefits.
"Demand for this process has increased among women attending hospitals in the UK - but this has outstripped professional awareness and guidance," Dr. Aubrey Cunnington from the Department of Medicine at Imperial College London, said.
"At the moment we're a long way from having the evidence base to recommend this practice. There is simply no evidence to suggest it has benefits - and it may carry potential risks," she added.
What Is Vaginal Seeding?
Vaginal seeding, also known as microbirthing, involves wiping the swab with vaginal secretions on the baby's mouth, face, skin and eyes. This is done to introduce birth canal bacteria into babies in the hope that this may boost their gut bacteria and reduce the risk of conditions like allergy or obesity.
In many countries, more than a quarter of infants are now born via C-section. With the increase of babies not born vaginally, they are also seen to have an increased risk of asthma, obesity and autoimmune diseases. That is why vaginal seeding using microbiome from mothers was thought to minimize the risk of these diseases in C-section babies.
Babies At Risk Of Infection
The practice, however, may increase the risk of babies contracting infections. Since vaginal seeding is relatively new to the medical world, further studies and large clinical trials are needed to ascertain that it is safe.
There is still no evidence at present to show that newborns are safe following the procedure. Newborns may develop severe infections from exposure to vaginal pathogens that the mother may carry without feeling any symptoms.
These pathogens may include group B streptococcus (the most common cause of neonatal sepsis), herpes simplex virus, Neisseria gonorrhoeae (the causative agent of Gonorrhea and may cause ophthalmia neonatorum in newborn) and Chlamydia trachomatis. Most of these harmful germs are transmitted sexually. These pathogens may be transferred to the baby by using vaginal swabs which may further aggravate the lack of protection from infections of babies born by C-section.
Does It Work?
Swabbing babies born via caesarean section with their mom's vaginal fluid may help restore valuable bacteria which they should have naturally picked if they passed through the birth canal.
In a previous study, scientists found that in the first month of life of the infants, C-section babies exposed to the vaginal fluids of their moms had colonies of bacteria present in those babies born vaginally.
Photo: Jan Fidler | Flickr
