The Microbiome and Your Baby’s Immune System

How your baby is born will determine what microorganisms get where, when. It’s a beautifully-orchestrated process with lifelong implications for your baby’s health. So what if you have a cesarean birth, take antibiotics, or are not able to feed human milk? Toni Harman tells us more. Check it out!

 

Powered by RedCircle

Listen directly through our website player, or however you usually listen to podcasts.

 

What we talked about:

  • What is the microbiome?
  • Understanding the “seed-and-feed” process
  • Changes in the vaginal microbiome during the 3rd trimester
  • Why it’s actually amazingly good for you to poop during pushing
  • Why sequence of arrival matters
  • How the microbiome trains the infant’s immune system
  • The increased risk of certain diseases later in life for cesarean-born babies
  • Elective vs. emergency cesareans
  • Labor’s apparent effect on epigenetics
  • The concerns with cesarean births
  • The issues with antibiotics and being GBS+
  • Effects of lactation on getting things relatively back on track
  • Living a microbiome-friendly life

 

Related resources*:

 

Related Birthful episodes:


 

Toni Harman headshot

Image courtesy of Toni Harman

About Toni Harman

Toni Harman is a documentary filmmaker turned author. Toni has spent the past 20 years producing and directing films including the documentaries Doula!, Freedom for Birth, and the multi-award winning documentary Microbirth. Her extensive research for Microbirth ignited a passion for the microbiome resulting in Toni co-authoring Your Baby’s Microbiome with her partner, Alex Wakeford.

Find out more at microbirth.com

 

 

 

Get Your FREE Postpartum Plan!

Sign up to get access to my NEW Postpartum Prep. Plan to help you prepare for life with a newborn! You'll also get updates from me from time to time.

We won't send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time. Powered by ConvertKit

This post may contain affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission.

Want more newborn help? Help preparing for birth? 

Schedule a free call to see how we can work together!