C-section mums warned about dangers of 'vaginal seeding'

What is the issue? A technique called vaginal seeding, sometimes used for babies born by caesarean section, "can give newborns deadly infections and sepsis," warns the Mail Online. Vaginal seeding involves rubbing vaginal fluid onto the skin of a newborn baby born by caesarean section. It's intended to mimic the natural transfer of microbes from their mother that babies have during a vaginal birth. This has been reported by some to help boost a baby's response against allergies and asthma. As many as 90% of Danish obstetricians and gynaecologists said they have been asked about it by prospective parents. Despite this, there has been very little research into the technique and its safety has been questioned.   Why is vaginal seeding in the news now? The Danish Society for Obstetrics and Gynaecology set up a group of doctors to review evidence and produce a guideline on vaginal seeding. The group has published a commentary on their guideline in the peer reviewed British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. BBC News and Mail Online both carried reasonably balanced and accurate reports of the commentary. The Mail Online headline was over-stated, as there's no evidence that babies have been subjected to "deadly infections" in this way; only the risk that it might happen.   What is vaginal seeding and why is it done? Vaginal seeding was developed to mimic microbial transfer during birth. Gauze swabs are placed in the mother's vagina, then after the caesa...
Source: NHS News Feed - Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Pregnancy/child Source Type: news