Vaginal seeding has risen in popularity in recent times, and while previous research suggested that it can be of huge benefit to newborns, experts have expressed concerns this week.
According to a new study, carried out by researchers in Denmark, vaginal seeding could open newborn babies up to disease and infection.
So, what exactly is vaginal seeding? Well, when a baby is born in a vaginal birth, their skin collects bacteria from their mother’s vagina. This is said to be of benefit to the baby, as a way of kick-starting their immune system and a healthy gut.
For those women who want their babies to experience the same supposed benefits, who give birth via C-section, vaginal swabs serve as a substitute.
According to a new study carried out by a team at the Danish Society of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and published in the journal BJOG, there is not enough evidence to show that the benefits of vaginal seeding outweigh the potential risks.
Indeed, the team have expressed concern that the practice can open babies up to the risk of contracting sexually-transmitted diseases and infections such as HIV, group strep B, chlamydia, gonorrhoea, herpes and even E.coli.
Commenting on her team’s research, lead author Dr Tine Clausen said: “There is no evidence to show that the potential long-term benefits of vaginal seeding outweigh the risks or costs.”
While the news will undoubtedly cause concern among parents, the experts emphasise that screening for the aforementioned conditions would go a long way towards protecting babies.
Indeed, Professor John Thorp of BJOG urged mothers who gave birth via C-section to take comfort in the findings.
“This research should help reassure women who have had a Caesarean section that the practice of vaginal seeding is unnecessary, and there are other ways to help give their baby the best start in life,” he wrote, in the study report.
What are your thoughts, mums?
