The Maternal Infant Microbiome: Considerations for Labor and Birth.
Alexis B Dunn, Sheila Jordan, Brenda J Baker and 1 others
PMID 28825919WHAT IT FOUND
Birth route, antibiotics during labor, and routine procedures may shape newborn microbes, but the evidence does not prove that changing them improves long-term health outcomes.
Key findings
01Intrapartum antibiotic use is associated with lower levels of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria in the newborn gut microbiome.
02Current evidence does not uniformly support cervical exams, internal monitoring, or urinary catheterization as independent causes of harmful microbiome shifts, but these procedures may increase cesarean or infection risk and antibiotic use.
03Skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding help further seed the newborn with maternal microbes.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
This is a narrative review, not an original trial, so it does not directly test whether labor and birth practices change microbiome or health outcomes. The paper says the relationships between microbiome and health outcomes are not yet fully understood and more research is needed. Cesarean birth occurs with several co-occurring exposures, including antibiotics, delayed breastfeeding, delayed skin-to-skin, handling, bathing, surface contact, postpartum separation, and nursery exposure, so the effect of any single factor is unclear. Some cited evidence comes from animal studies. The review's nursing suggestions are based on potential microbiome effects, not demonstrated clinical outcomes.
Declared interests
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read the microbiome links as proof that changing birth route, antibiotics, or routine labor procedures improves health outcomes. The review reports associations and possible mechanisms, and it says causal links are not established.