Prophylactic Antibiotics for C-section Birth

Women that have a C-section are normally given prophylactic antibiotics before the surgery to reduce the risk of infection after the procedure.
Whilst antibiotics are given to reduce this risk, they may impact both the mother’s and baby’s microbiome.

Breastfeeding Reduces the Effects of C-section Antibiotics

A research study from the Netherlands looked at whether antibiotics for C-section birth influenced the infant microbiome more than mode of feeding after birth.
This research study has found that even though antibiotics for a C-section birth impact the infant microbiome, the mode of feeding and breastfeeding can have more of an influence on their microbiome.
This study provides more reassurance to mothers that have had a C-section birth and highlights that breastfeeding after a C-section will support and nourish their infant’s microbiome and health post birth. There are many wonders of breastmilk such as supporting the infant’s immune system and digestive system development.
The results showed that in general, feeding mode had a significant impact on gut microbial diversity, species, and strain-level bacterial composition, as well as bile acid composition.
Infants who were formula-fed had a significantly different overall microbiome profile. In this study, feeding mode was responsible for 12% of the variation in overall infant gut microbiome composition during the first six weeks of life.

The Gut Microbiome Plays a Crucial Role in Immune Development

Recent studies have shown the important role of the gut microbiome and digestive system health in the development of immune disorders later in life. Therefore, these early-life microbiome changes could have important long-term impacts. So, it’s important that we are supporting our children’s microbiome from infancy through childhood and into adolescence.

How Qiara Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Supports C-Section Mothers & Babies

Qiara Pregnancy & Breastfeeding is an evidence-based probiotic that helps restore good gut flora during and after antibiotic use, which is important for C-section or GBS positive mums and their babies.
Qiara Pregnancy & Breastfeeding:
• Helps increase the growth of good bacteria
• Maintains and supports healthy pregnancy and maternal health
• Helps to relieve symptoms and reduce the occurrence of mild mastitis
• Improves healthy digestive system function
• Maintains and supports gastrointestinal system health
• Maintains and supports immune system health
• Maintains and supports healthy gastrointestinal immune function
• Helps to stimulate a healthy immune system response

Seek medical advice if mastitis symptoms persist for more than 12 hours or you start to feel unwell. Advise your doctor of any medicine you are taking during pregnancy, particularly in your first trimester.
 

Reference:
Cell Host & Microbe, Sinha et al. “Maternal antibiotic prophylaxis during cesarean section has a limited impact on the infant gut microbiome.” https://cell.com/cell-host-microbe/fulltext/S1931-3128(24)00268-3