According to the Federal Statistical Office, approximately 30% of babies in Germany were delivered by cesarean section in 2020. Certain circumstances sometimes make a cesarean section unavoidable. Nevertheless, vaginal birth should be the goal if both mother and baby are healthy. Clinical studies have shown that vaginal delivery provides the child with important bacteria as "starter cultures." This can significantly reduce the risk of developing metabolic disorders, obesity, asthma, allergies, eczema, and many other illnesses.
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Advantages of Vaginal Birth
Vaginal birth has many advantages over cesarean section. Even during pregnancy, the number of lactobacilli in the mother's vaginal tract increases. This group of bacteria consists of lactic acid bacteria, which are commonly found in the human vaginal and intestinal tract.
By producing lactic acid, the pH in the vaginal area decreases, creating an environment that is hostile to pathogenic bacteria. This helps maintain a healthy and balanced bacterial colonization.
These lactobacilli are passed on to the baby during vaginal birth as the first “oral vaccination.”
Cesarean Birth
Unlike vaginal delivery, a newborn delivered by cesarean section initially comes into contact with the sterile environment of the operating room and the mother's skin bacteria. The crucial exposure to the beneficial bacteria of the mother's vaginal and rectal microbiota is completely missing.
Another negative aspect is the frequent use of antibiotics during cesarean births. These important medications have a major drawback: they kill not only pathogens but also many beneficial bacteria. As a result, the critical initial colonization of the infant's gut is already compromised within the first minutes after birth.
Conclusion
In cesarean births, the newborn lacks natural initial contact with the mother’s beneficial bacteria. Additionally, the use of antibiotics can further hinder the development of a stable gut flora. Vaginal birth thus supports natural microbial colonization and can contribute to the child's long-term health.
To optimally support your child, you can use our product Lactobact BABY DROPS.
Sources
- García-Mantrana et al. 2016: Perinatal nutrition – How to take care of the gut microbiota?
- Putignani et al. 2014: The human gut microbiota: a dynamic interplay with the host from birth to senescence settled during childhood
- Smith S. et al. 2017: The vaginal microbiota, host defence and reproductive physiology
- Indrio et al. 2017: Epigenetic Matters: The Link between Early Nutrition, Microbiome, and Long-term Health Development
- Francavilla et al. 2018: Intervention for dysbiosis in children born by C-section
- Robertson et al. 2019: The Human Microbiome and Child Growth – First 1000 Days and Beyond
