What effects does the birth method have on our health?

Veröffentlicht am: October 09, 2024
Irina Fink
Irina Fink

Naturopath

What role does the method of birth play in the health of an adult? 

We have summarized this and much more on the subject of microorganisms for you in this guide.

Overview and facts on the topic: 

  • Microorganisms in the digestive tract play an important role in our health and influence everything from body weight and nutrition to all kinds of chronic diseases.
  • The foundation for our individual microbiome is laid at birth. In a sense, a baby "inherits" its mother's microbiome during vaginal delivery. 
  • It is extremely important that babies are exposed to these beneficial bacteria at birth. Only then can their immune system fully develop and function optimally.
  • Unfortunately, decades of inappropriate medical interventions and an unhealthy diet have led to a rapid loss of diversity in the human microbiome.
  • Bacteria play an essential role in our metabolism and immune function. The loss of microbial diversity disrupts the balance of our body. This makes it more susceptible to disease.

What are microorganisms?  

Microorganisms in the digestive tract form a kind of living "tissue". This is highly complex and plays an important role in our health. It influences everything from body weight and nutrition to all kinds of chronic diseases. 

➤ The events surrounding our birth have lifelong consequences. 

The documentary "Microbirth" by Alex Wakeford and Toni Harman shows that the basis for our intestinal flora is laid at the time of birth. The film provides an overview of the current state of scientific research. It is about how the mother's microbiome can best be transferred to the baby. The aim is to develop a robust immune system.

Importantly, a baby basically 'inherits' its microbiome from its mother. It is therefore essential to look at your gut health before, during and after pregnancy.

Have you been taking antibiotics or the contraceptive pill or eating a lot of processed or sugary foods? 

Are you not breastfeeding your baby but bottle-feeding it? 

All of these factors affect the composition of the microorganisms in the gut. This also influences the microbiome and the health of your child after birth. 

The influence of our microbiome can even extend over generations. Sometimes it causes changes to our DNA, which we then pass on to future generations.

What is the cost of the loss of microbial diversity? 

In 2008, the World Health Organization announced that non-communicable chronic diseases are now the leading cause of death worldwide. 

By 2018, non-communicable diseases were responsible for 71% of deaths worldwide. Cardiovascular diseases, cancer, respiratory diseases and diabetes topped the list of fatal diseases.

The film cites research that suggests that by 2030, around half of the world's net wealth will be spent on treating chronic diseases. It would be an understatement to say that this development is no longer sustainable.

Could this trend perhaps have something to do with changes in our microbiome?

Declining microbiome diversity - the trigger for today's disease epidemics?

The movie also mentions that the human body consists of 90 percent microbes. The remaining ten percent is made up of "mammals". 

Unfortunately, inappropriate medical interventions and an unhealthy diet have led to a rapid loss of diversity in the human microbiome. Factors contributing to this include excessive antibiotic prescriptions, routine C-section deliveries, pesticides and industrially processed foods.

This loss of microbial diversity disturbs the balance of our body. This makes it more susceptible to disease. Bacteria play an essential role in our metabolism and immune function. The right balance with other microbes is important.

The film features experts who believe that the decline of our microbiome is one, if not the main cause of most of our current disease epidemics. Comparisons between indigenous peoples living in the jungles of South America and people in the modern world suggest that we have lost a third of our natural microbiome.

The effect of the birth method on the baby's microbiome 

The film goes on to discuss the importance of natural birth, skin-to-skin contact after birth and breastfeeding. These are all extremely important factors in the development and maintenance of a baby's microbiome. 

During a vaginal birth, the baby is colonized with microbes in the birth canal. According to a 2014 study, the microbiome of a healthy woman's vagina is dominated by the genus Lactobacillus. This genus offers a number of health benefits, including protection against hostile microorganisms that can cause disease.

Scientists have also been able to prove that the composition of microbes in a woman's vagina changes during pregnancy in preparation for childbirth. In particular, lactobacilli settle. However, the overall diversity decreases. The researchers' hypothesis is that this ensures that beneficial microorganisms are transferred to the baby in the birth canal. 

Changes in the intestinal flora during pregnancy

The intestinal flora of the expectant mother changes in each trimester of her pregnancy. In this way, the growth of the fetus is optimally supported. These changes are largely influenced by the hormonal shifts that occur during pregnancy.

Research published in the journal Cell7 in 2012 has provided interesting insights. This revealed that there is an increase in proteobacteria and actinobacteria as pregnancy progresses.

Samples taken from women in the third trimester were transferred to germ-free mice. This led to greater weight gain and insulin resistance compared to the transfer of samples from the first trimester.

The authors note: "Many of the immune and metabolic changes of normal pregnancy also describe metabolic syndrome. [...] Intestinal microbes can trigger symptoms of metabolic syndrome in non-pregnant laboratory animals."

In a pregnant woman, on the other hand, the increased energy storage in the fatty tissue serves to enable the fetus to grow normally.

The disadvantage of a caesarean birth

In some cases, a caesarean section is a medical necessity and can be life-saving. In many parts of the world, however, far too many babies are delivered by caesarean section. The main disadvantage of a caesarean birth is that the baby does not come into contact with the mother's bacteria as it does not pass through the birth canal. 

The film described at the beginning clearly shows that the baby is susceptible to bacteria from other sources in this case. However, this can lead to problems, as hospitals, for example, are breeding grounds for pathogenic bacteria.

The film features experts who are currently testing this thesis scientifically and want to find out whether this happens with "caesarean section babies".

So the question is: was your immune system attacked by the wrong bacteria from the start, making you more susceptible to disease? 

What role does skin contact play in this?

Sometimes, however, a caesarean section is unavoidable. Even in such a case, you can nourish your baby's microbiome through close skin contact between mother and child and through breastfeeding. 

In her film review of "Microbirth", naturopath Louise Loula wrote that close skin contact is necessary to colonize the baby with the important bacteria. Furthermore, hormone production is regulated and stimulated. It also influences and regulates blood sugar levels and hunger instincts. 

➤ Did you know that colonization of bacteria in babies delivered by caesarean section is also possible afterwards? 

This is exactly what Rodney Dietert, Professor of Immunotoxicology at Cornell University, researched. The baby is "inoculated" with bacteria from the mother's vagina. In this way, it receives the same bacteria that it would have received if it had been born vaginally.

A large piece of sterile gauze is inserted into the mother's vaginal canal before the caesarean section. The piece is then removed shortly before the caesarean section. Immediately after the baby is delivered, the gauze is unfolded and the baby's entire body is rubbed with it. This starts with the face.

It was found that the health parameters of caesarean section babies after this procedure were similar to babies delivered vaginally. 

The importance of breastfeeding

Breast milk is unique and designed to nourish beneficial bacteria in the baby's digestive tract. Dietert explains that breast milk contains important immune hormone-like substances, some of which have an anti-inflammatory effect.

Breast milk also provides your baby with antibodies against diseases to which you have developed a natural immunity. Other components are unique sugars called oligosaccharides. These sugars are indigestible. Scientists were therefore puzzled for a long time as to why they are contained in breast milk at all. However, it has since been discovered that oligosaccharides nourish beneficial bacteria in the baby's gut.

The refined sugar contained in most infant formulas cannot reproduce this function. On the contrary, processed sugar feeds harmful bacteria and promotes excessive weight gain. To strengthen and train your baby's immune system, it is recommended to breastfeed babies for a period of six months to two years. This will give your child a healthy start in life.

Is an unbalanced microbiome associated with neurobehavioral disorders?

Researchers have recognized that a child's microbiome may also play a role in neurobehavioral disorders, including autism. The movie also addresses this issue. It points out that an infant's gut flora not only influences the maturation of their immune system, but also the development of their brain and nervous tissue.

This was also the assumption of Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride before she launched her GAPS nutrition program. This aims to heal a leaky gut by rebuilding the intestinal mucosa. GAPS stands for "Gut and Psychology Syndrome" and describes how the gut and the psyche influence each other. She explains that in children with GAPS, toxins migrate from the gut through the body into the brain.

This poses a constant challenge to the nervous system and prevents it from performing its normal functions and processing sensory information. Virtually any toxic exposure - including vaccines - can be the straw that breaks the camel's back in such a situation. As a result, symptoms of autism and/or any number of other neurological problems can develop.

The solution to the problem is to optimize microbial transfer during and after birth through vaginal delivery, direct skin contact and breastfeeding .

Often overlooked, but nevertheless a key factor: vitamin D

An important factor in protecting your health and that of your baby before or during pregnancy is to optimize your vitamin D levels. Research shows that pregnant women with a vitamin D level between 40 ng/ml and 60 ng/ml have a 46 percent lower preterm birth rate than the general population.

Pregnant women with a vitamin D level of 40 ng/ml or more in the third trimester have a 59 percent lower risk of premature birth. This is not the case for women with a vitamin D level of less than 20 ng/ml. In the African-American and Hispanic population, 70 to 75 percent of all premature births could be prevented.

A mother's vitamin D status during pregnancy can also have lifelong effects on the child. Vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy is associated with a higher likelihood of allergies in childhood, asthma, diabetes and even cardiovascular disease later in life.

Recommendations for a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby

Entire books could be written not only on questions about the optimal structure of your baby's microbiome or the importance of vitamin D levels. The dangers posed by chemical substances during pregnancy are also of great importance. 

Even if you cannot avoid all harmful substances, you should definitely take proactive measures to reduce your toxic exposure. This is especially true before and during pregnancy. This includes, for example, avoiding all unnecessary medication and vaccinations. You also have control over many other aspects.

This includes:

  • Reduce your exposure to agricultural chemicals such as glyphosate. You can avoid this by eating primarily organic food and pasture-raised products. 
  • Stay away from processed, pre-packaged foods of all kinds. This way you automatically avoid pesticides, artificial food additives, dangerous artificial sweeteners, food coloring, and unlabeled genetically modified ingredients.
  • Avoid eating conventional or farmed fish, which is often heavily contaminated with PCBs and mercury. Instead, eat high-quality purified krill oil or include small fatty fish such as sardines, anchovies and mackerel in your diet.
  • Build up a healthy intestinal flora by eating lots of raw, organically grown food. Also colonize your gut with healthy bacteria from fermented foods. If you don't like fermented foods, you should regularly take a probiotic instead. Especially if you do not completely eliminate processed foods from your diet.
  • Optimize your vitamin D level - ideally through sunlight.
  • Exercise regularly during pregnancy. Previous studies have shown that women who exercise during pregnancy generally build up a larger placenta than women who spend most of their time sitting down. The volume of the placenta is considered a general marker for the ability to supply the fetus with oxygen and nutrients. Therefore, it stands to reason that a large, healthy placenta leads to a healthier baby.
  • You should breastfeed your baby for as long as possible after birth, ideally for at least six months. Breastfeeding helps to ensure that your child's intestinal flora develops properly right from the start. Breast milk contains both beneficial bacteria and nourishing growth factors that are important for your baby.
  • Only use non-toxic natural cleaning agents at home.
  • Switch to natural brands of toiletries such as shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant and cosmetics.
  • Avoid using artificial air fresheners, dryer sheets, fabric softeners or other synthetic fragrances. 

 

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