What Does Vaginal Seeding Really Means?

I recently learnt that Neonatal Colonization is disrupted when a child is born via caesarean section, and babies born through this delivery mode are at a high risk of having some inflammatory and metabolic diseases such as asthma, allergies, obesity and other chronic immune disorders.

Recent research findings suggest that the interruption of neonatal colonization could hamper adequate immune development and set the stage for later diseases. And also that caesarean born neonates miss out on lots of beneficial bacteria (known as microbiota) which their vaginally born counterparts enjoy. Although, caesaren born babies are mainly colonized by skin microbes (a different species) but most mother still feel the need to transfer microbes to their caesarean born neonates. This need has propelled researchers to find alternative ways to augment skin microbes. Thus, the introduction of vaginal seeding.

A more recent study suggest that vaginal seeding can create balance and restore lost microbiota however there are lots of warnings from some reputable research bodies that this method could cause more harm than good.

So, instead of gambling with your baby's health, try some other methods of transferring microbes like breastfeeding for at least half a year and ask your doctor for advice on other safe bonding tips.

What Is Vaginal Seeding?

Vaginal seeding also known as microbirthing is a procedure whereby vaginal fluids (swab) are applied over new-born child's mouth, eyes, face and skin shortly after delivery by caesarean section.

The essence of this procedure is to create a biome that is equivalent to a baby delivered vaginally.

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