New documentary “MICROBIRTH” reveals the microscopic secrets of childbirth
Latest Science Suggests How We Give Birth Impacts Lifelong Health of Children And Could Affect Future of Humanity
Could the way we are born determine our future health and even impact the future of humanity? These are questions explored in a new feature-length documentary “Microbirth” premiering in hundreds of grass-roots public screenings around the world on Saturday 20th September 2014.
Look here on our calendar for details of local screenings.
Featuring prominent scientists from the UK and North America, “Microbirth” warns that modern birth practices could be interfering with critical biological processes making our children more susceptible to disease.
Recent population studies have shown babies born by Caesarean have approximately a 20% increased risk of developing asthma, 20% increased risk of developing type 1 diabetes, a similar risk with obesity and slightly smaller increases in gastro-intestinal conditions like Crohn’s disease or celiac disease. All of these conditions are linked to the immune system.
“Microbirth” explores several possible plausible explanations. One hypothesis is that if normal vaginal birth is interfered with or bypassed completely because of Caesarean birth, this could alter the “seeding of the baby’s microbiome”, the critical transfer of bacteria from mother to baby at birth. Scientists suggest this could lead to the baby’s immune system not developing to its full potential. Another hypothesis is the actual process of vaginal birth, including the cocktail of hormones produced during labour, could profoundly affect the baby’s immune regulation and metabolism.
Dr Rodney R Dietert, Professor of Immunotoxicology at Cornell University, says, “Over the past 20-30 years, we’ve seen dramatic increases in childhood asthma, type 1 diabetes, celiac disease, childhood obesity. We’ve also seen increases in Caesarean delivery. Does Caesarean cause these conditions? No. What Caesarean does is not allow the baby to be seeded with the microbes. The immune system doesn’t mature. And the metabolism changes. It’s the immune dysfunction and the changes in metabolism that we now know contribute to those diseases and conditions.”
Dr Matthew Hyde, Research Associate of Neonatal Medicine, Imperial College London says, ”We are increasingly seeing a world out there with what is really a public health time-bomb waiting to go off. And the research we are doing suggests it is only going to get worse, generation on generation. So tomorrow’s generation really is on the edge of the precipice unless we can begin to do something about it.”
The film’s co-director Toni Harman says, “Caesarean Sections are essential and often are life-saving. However, up until now, no-one has really looked into the long-term impact. This emerging research is painting an alarming picture in terms of future health across populations. There may even be repercussions for the future of humanity. And yet, up until now, I don’t hear any alarm bells ringing.”
“MicroBirth” will be released worldwide on Saturday 20th September 2014.
