Vaginal Births Best for Bubs

According to a recent story in the Sydney Morning Herald May 30, natural births are better for babies. Babies born by caesarean section are more vulnerable to asthma, allergies & infection as they miss out on receiving their mothers' good bacteria during birth, says Professor Patricia Conway from University of NSW. However, emergency caesareans performed after labour had begun & if the waters had broken, meant babies did receive a small amount of the beneficial bacteria. Elective caesareans were "sterile" & did not receive this but babies had other chances to receive their mother's bacteria with skin-to-skin contact directly after birth & if they were breastfed.