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Childbirth

C section baby misses antibodies?

8 replies

j200 · 02/09/2014 07:25

Planning to have a CS but have heard baby misses antibodies that they get via VB (horizon program) ??? Is this true? Anything that can counter it? Don't want my baby to miss out Confused

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TanteRose · 02/09/2014 07:33

really? I thought they get the antibodies through the placenta that they have been attached to for 9 months.

leaving your body through your vagina or being lifted out by CS won't make any difference, surely?

you could ask them to wait a bit before cutting the cord if possible -

www.bbc.com/news/health-22307946

good luck with the birth!

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TanteRose · 02/09/2014 07:37

see also

www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/939.aspx?CategoryID=54

its the last 3 months of pregnancy that they get the antibodies, so unless you give birth prematurely, then your baby won't miss out.

try and give colostrum, either directly or pumped - lots of antibodies in that, and in breastmilk

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Sleepwhenidie · 02/09/2014 07:43

There is growing evidence that babies do get a 'layer' of antibodies passing through the birth canal and an additional one through breast feeding (good bacteria essentially), so in that respect , both are the 'ideal'. But if you need a c section for medical reasons I think those are likely to be much more pressing than the strength of baby's future immune system Smile.

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lemonpoppyseed · 02/09/2014 07:44

This is the article I read about this: www.newyorker.com/magazine/2012/10/22/germs-are-us. Definitely interesting reading...

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lemonpoppyseed · 02/09/2014 07:45
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Sleepwhenidie · 02/09/2014 07:45

this article explains better than me!

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j200 · 02/09/2014 10:01

Thanks ladies Smile

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Stardustshaper · 03/09/2014 15:18

I've heard mention of swabbing baby with vaginal secretions post birth to give a similar effect. Don't have any references but wod be interested in any links about this approach.

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