Because C-section disturbs a key developmental moment (regarding the first microorganism encountered by the baby, and therefore the development of the gut microbiome), it can interfere with immune system development, neurodevelopment, and metabolism. Mothers are not warned about these potential consequences and I think they should be.
The immune systems consequences are thought to include an increased risk of asthma, food allergies, susceptibility to respiratory tract infections, and possibly increased risk of autoimmune conditions including Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Coeliac Disease, and Type 1 diabetes. The neurodevelopmental consequences are thought to include an increased risk of autism, ADHD and reduced cognitive performance. And the metabolic consequences are thought to include an increased risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes in later life.
References / Further Reading:
Risks of C-section: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8537978/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8733716/#:~:text=The%20results%20indicated%20that%2074.39,obtained%20from%20maternal%20microbial%20strains https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7073427/ https://www.center4research.org/c-section-birth-health-risks/
Sources I looked at for C-section rates:
https://www.gov.scot/publications/best-start-review-caesarean-section-rates-scotland/pages/3/ https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200203/cmselect/cmhealth/464/46406.htm https://www.parliament.uk/globalassets/documents/post/pn184.pdf https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/maternity-services-monthly-statistics/january-2022-experimental-statistics
Interesting on induction (and good website for pregnancy generally): https://www.aims.org.uk/information/item/induction-and-caesareans
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