Impact of Mother’s Gut Health During Pregnancy and Labor on Baby’s Future Health
Posted by: Kiana Asherah
WHAT ARE MICROBIOMES?
Microbiomes are the collection of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other organisms that live in and on the body. We have about 10 million human cells in our bodies and about 100 trillion microbes. The balance of microbiomes varies throughout our body. Bacteria found in our mouth is different from the bacteria on our skin, which is different than in our intestines.
WHY DOES GUT MICROBIOME MATTER?
Healthy Gut Microbiomes are important for the immune system, protection against infection, increased fertility, reduce risk of pregnancy complications, regulate hormones, aid in nutrient absorption, digestion and bowel regulation, reduce inflammation, overall health and more.
An imbalance can lead to disease and lifelong changes in immunity. A balance of microbes leads to optimal health.
80% of your immune health resides in the gut.
PREGNANCY AND BIRTH AND GUT MICROBIOME
During pregnancy and birth a mother’s gut health will have an impact on the child's health, not only immediately but into their adulthood. Gut microbiome is essential for central nervous system development and can control brain functions.
In pregnant women, the gut microbiota has an effect on placenta health, pregnancy outcomes, the baby’s microbiome and immune function, fetal growth, development and survival of the baby.
Preeclampsia seems to be on the rise within my immediate birth worker circle. Preeclampsia is a condition that can happen later in the pregnancy and can have serious complications. Disrupted gut microbiome can increase the chance of developing preeclampsia, as well as gestational diabetes and preterm birth.
During pregnancy a mother can increase exposure to diverse healthy bacteria by taking a high quality probiotic supplement. This may improve gut diversity, may reduce gestational diabetes, and may reduce risk of allergies and eczema for the baby.
Antibiotics should be avoided if possible.
Antibiotics given to a mom during pregnancy or labor can affect the mix of microbes in the placenta, amniotic fluid, and vagina. This disrupted microbiome is inherited by the baby.
Babies born by cesarean are not exposed to vaginal bacteria, increasing the risk of asthma, allergies, obesity, diabetes, and celiac disease. Studies comparing the microbiomes of vaginally born babies with those born via cesarean have shown differences in their gut bacteria as much as seven years after delivery.
After a cesarean birth, instead of skin to skin contact with the parents the baby's first exposures are often to hospital bacteria and the microbiomes of hospital staff members.
You can expose the baby to vaginal bacteria by doing a vaginal swab, although this is not as good as a vaginal birth, it can help. After birth, the baby should go straight onto the mother's body for
skin to skin contact.
Many hospitals are even starting to allow skin to skin while still in the operating room while closing up mom.
Covering the baby with a blanket from home instead of a hospital blanket can also help.
Formula feeding, even for a short-term, does change the bacteria. Breastfeeding sets the stage for the microbiome in your infant. Nearly one-third of good bacteria in a newborn’s intestinal tract comes directly from the mother’s milk, and an additional 10 percent comes from the skin on your breast your baby will receive from nursing. I hope this is reassuring if you did have to have a cesarean that you can still opt to breastfeed to give your baby healthy microbiomes.
In addition to taking probiotics daily it is also important to stay hydrated with filtered water and electrolytes, as well as eating a whole food diet containing plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds and legumes, and consuming limited processed white sugar. Pure maple syrup, coconuts and dates can be used in place.
Here are the links to three different high quality probiotics. It is good to switch up the brand from time to time as they each offer a different variety of strains.
Lifted Naturals
https://liftednaturals.com/products/bifidus-mood-boost
Dr. Ohhiras Probiotics
SevenLac
https://globalhealthtrax.com/products/sevenlac-probiotic-apple/
