Expert Warns Against Vaginal Seeding Saying It Can Transmit Chlamydia To Babies

An expert has warned that mothers should not allow vaginal seeding on their babies born through caesarean section as it could give the babies the deadly chlamydia.

Some mothers believe that vaginal seeding, which involves transferring vaginal fluid across the faces of babies born via C-section, stimulates their babies’ immune systems and exposes them to important micro-organisms they missed out on in the birth canal.

However, Dr Christopher Zahn from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists warns that mothers who didn’t know they are carrying sexually transmitted infections that are commonly symptomless such as chlamydia could be transmitted to their newborns, which can cause fatal pneumonia.

He said that there is insufficient evidence that suggests exposure to ‘good bacteria’ in the mother’s birth canal lowers a baby’s risk of developing conditions such as asthma and allergies later on in the baby’s life.

“Understandably, patients who may need to undergo a c-section are increasingly seeking counsel from ob-gyns on whether vaginal seeding is appropriate. However, due to the lack of sufficient data, the very real risks outweigh the potential benefits,” he added.

While he also said that the bacteria responsible for chlamydia and gonorrhea or even the herpes virus, may also be transmitted to children born vaginally, but the risk is more apparent when the infected fluid is directly applied to babies’ faces.

Dr Zahn recommends that mothers with babies born via c-section can help overcome their lack of vaginal fluid exposure by exclusively breastfeeding them for the first six months.

“The bacteria present in breast milk and on the nipple is sufficient for natural colonization or seeding of the gut.

“There may be some initial difference in the gut microbiota of infants based on mode of delivery, but research has shown that difference disappears after about six months,” he said.

Source: Dailymail.co.uk