Doctors today question the growing fashion of using "vaginal seeding" after a Caesarean birth.
The idea of "seeding" is to expose the new-born baby to the beneficial bacteria that it would have had contact with during a vaginal birth.
Exponents say it could reduce the baby’s risk of future allergies, obesity, or autoimmune diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease. But experts are warning that the safety of this procedure has not yet been confirmed.
Dr Aubrey Cunnington of Imperial College London, UK, and colleagues write in today’s (24 February) British Medical Journal that: "Demand for this process has increased among women attending hospitals in the UK – but this has outstripped professional awareness and guidance.
"At the moment we’re a long way from having the evidence base to recommend this practice. There is simply no evidence to suggest it has benefits – and it may carry potential risks."
The authors warn there is a risk of bacterial infections, including group B streptococcus.
They state: "Its important parents tell staff they have performed the procedure, so the healthcare team are aware the baby is at risk of the same infections as a baby born by vaginal delivery.
"Doctors, nurses, midwives and parents need to be aware they are doing something with a potential risk that currently doesn’t have any evidence of benefit," they add.
The authors write that breast feeding and avoiding unnecessary antibiotics are also very more important to the development of a baby’s gut bacteria.
They conclude: "We believe the small risk of harm cannot be justified without evidence of benefit."
Cunnington, A. J. et al. "Vaginal seeding" of infants born by caesarean section. British Medical Journal 24 February 2016 doi: 10.1136/bmj.i227 [Abstract]
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