Pregnancy & The Microbiome:
What Does Your Gut Tell You?
When waiting for the arrival of your little bundle of joy, you are likely focused on all things baby. The health and happiness of your family is a priority, which is why the microbiome is such an important piece of the puzzle.
The microbiome, what is it?
Everyone has a microbiome. It’s a living colony inside of us that is made up of many different types of bacteria (both good and bad) that can be found throughout your body - primarily in your intestines and on your skin (2). Did you know the microbiome can weigh up to five pounds (3)? Wow!
A healthy microbiome can significantly improve the health of you and your baby. It supports increased immunity, improved digestion and metabolism, and protection against bacterial and yeast infections (3). These roles make the microbiome a very important organ and without it we would not be able to function properly (1).
How does the microbiome develop?
A baby’s microbiome begins to develop in early pregnancy based on the mother’s microbiome, placenta, and amniotic fluid (2,4). It plays an important role in your baby’s growth and development while in utero and throughout life (4). After a baby is born, their microbiome continues to develop and is often similar to their mother’s, but may be affected by a variety of environmental factors as well (5).
How does a mother’s microbiome influence their baby’s microbiome?
A mother’s microbiome plays a large part in the development of her baby’s microbiome. Two important factors that contribute to the baby’s microbiome are mode of delivery and feeding practices.
When a baby is delivered vaginally, it will have a microbiome very similar to that of their mother’s vaginal and fecal flora. These babies also have more variety in the type of “good bacteria” in their microbiome which is considered protective against early illnesses and infections. Infants who are delivered via C-section have a microbiome that is composed of bacteria transferred from the mother’s skin surface, and possibly others who are in the delivery room as well (6).
Another major influence on the infant gut microbiome is how the infant is fed. Research shows that exclusively breastfed infants had a more stable gut microbiome compared to infants who are formula fed (5,7). They are also less likely to have an overgrowth of potentially harmful organisms such as C. Difficile (6).
And while we want to share this important information, we also want to encourage you that vaginal birth and breastfeeding are not always a realistic or best option for mothers when all factors are considered. It is important to engage in the most appropriate practices for the health of you and your baby.
The Bottomline
Do your best to give your newest addition to the family the microscopic friends they need in order for their microbiome to thrive and create a healthy, happy life.
References
(1) Amon, P., Sanderson, I. (2017). What is the microbiome? Arch Dis Child Educ Pract Ed, 102: 258-261. doi:10.1136/archdischild-2016-311643
(2) Dunn, A.B., Jordan, S., Baker, B.J. (2017). The Maternal Infant Microbiome: Considerations for Labor and Birth. MCN Am J Child Nurs, 42(6): 318-325. doi:10.1097/NMC.0000000000000373.
(3) Hair, M., Sharpe, J. (2014). Fast Facts About The Human Microbiome. In Centre for Ecogenetics and Environmental Health. Retrieved from https://depts.washington.edu/ceeh/downloads/FF_Microbiome.pdf
(4) D’Argenio, V. (2018). The Prenatal Microbiome: A New Player for Human Health. High-Throughput, 7, 38 doi:10.3390/ht7040038
(5) Ihekweazu, F.D., Versalovic, J. (2018). Development of the Pediatric Gut Microbiome: Impact on Health and Disease. Am J Med Sci, 356(5), 413-423. doi:10.1016/j.amjms.2018.08.005.
(6) Yang, I., Corwin, E.J., Brennan, P.A. (2016). The Infant Microbiome: Implications for Infant Health and Neurocognitive Development. Nurs Res, 65(1): 76-88. doi:10.1097/NNR.0000000000000133.
(7) Ho, N.T., Li, F., Lee-Sarwar, K.A. (2018). Meta-analysis of effects of exclusive breastfeeding on infant gut microbiota across populations. Nature Communications, 9, 4169. DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-06473-x
