We've all heard about the wonders of microbiomes, right?

 

They're tiny little microbes that live on and in us, and science says that they are powerful keepers of our health.

 

As hype around these little friendly germs, some scientists are looking into the production of microbes, and when exactly they first appear in babies. 

 

This research has brought up the age old discursion - what is better for your baby: vaginal birthing or C-section?

 

Image result for newborn baby

 

Well, according to a new study, with regards to microbes there is no real difference between the two birthing types. 

 

It has been said that a trip through the birthing canal can coat a baby with beneficial bacteria, but a C-section can introduce different bacteria, right after birth.

 

Maternal-fetal medicine specialist Kjersti Aagaard of the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston has done some research into which process is better, if any. 

 

Image result for newborn baby

 

Kjersti surveyed the microbiomes of 81 pregnant women, and later on, the researchers added a second group of 82 women, whose microbiomes were assessed at the birth of their children.

 

According to the study, "Just after birth, babies who had been delivered by C-section had different mouth, nose and skin microbiomes than babies born vaginally.

 

However, "Six weeks later, these C-section/vaginal birth differences on the mouth, nose and skin were largely gone."

 

Image result for newborn baby

 

The study found that "the microbes living in and on the babies born by C-section and those born vaginally were virtually indistinguishable."

 

The study was reported online in January in The Journal of Nature Medicine

 

In layman's terms, there is no big differences in microbiomes, whether you deliver vaginally or via C-section. 

 

Image result for newborn baby

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