David Ghiyam

As we sit here right now, about 30% of births in America is delivered via C-section. Which is an exceedingly high number. What was that 30 years ago? It's been pretty consistent over the past 30 years.

As we sit here right now, about 30% of births in America is delivered via C-section. Which is an exceedingly high number. What was that 30 years ago? It's been pretty consistent over the past 30 years.

And I'm going to say that some of the reason it happens, with all due respect, is not because there's a threat in terms of the newborn, or the fetus rather, or mother's health, but because of convenience.

And I'm going to say that some of the reason it happens, with all due respect, is not because there's a threat in terms of the newborn, or the fetus rather, or mother's health, but because of convenience.

I think to be fair to mothers and fathers, parents to be, that a full explanation as to potential downside risks of a C-section aside from a scar or any other complication to the mother in terms of a general anesthetic and surgery and an antibiotic being administered should include what are now the well-understood risks to that newborn. And here is what they are.

I think to be fair to mothers and fathers, parents to be, that a full explanation as to potential downside risks of a C-section aside from a scar or any other complication to the mother in terms of a general anesthetic and surgery and an antibiotic being administered should include what are now the well-understood risks to that newborn. And here is what they are.

When a child passes through the birth canal in a normal vaginal delivery, that child is anointed, anointed with the seeds the bacterial seeds, the viral seeds of his or her future microbiome. The bacteria, the viruses, the other organisms that invest that child and determine various functions of that child when he's an adult or she's an adult. Really?

When a child passes through the birth canal in a normal vaginal delivery, that child is anointed, anointed with the seeds the bacterial seeds, the viral seeds of his or her future microbiome. The bacteria, the viruses, the other organisms that invest that child and determine various functions of that child when he's an adult or she's an adult. Really?

The set point of immune reactivity, for example. That the immune system receives a significant degree of programming from the gut bacteria And the differences in the bacteria in the gut between a C-section born child and a vaginally delivered child are significant.

The set point of immune reactivity, for example. That the immune system receives a significant degree of programming from the gut bacteria And the differences in the bacteria in the gut between a C-section born child and a vaginally delivered child are significant.

We know that changes in the array, the functionality, and diversity of the gut organisms relate to things like diabetes, obesity, and even risk for autoimmune conditions. Having said that, what the science reveals is there's a pretty significant increased risk of autoimmune conditions in children born by cesarean section. There's a dramatic increased risk of autism.

We know that changes in the array, the functionality, and diversity of the gut organisms relate to things like diabetes, obesity, and even risk for autoimmune conditions. Having said that, what the science reveals is there's a pretty significant increased risk of autoimmune conditions in children born by cesarean section. There's a dramatic increased risk of autism.

ADHD, and autoimmune conditions like celiac disease and type 1 diabetes in C-section born children as opposed to children born vaginally. And the research is out there on this? Research has been published for at least 15 years.

ADHD, and autoimmune conditions like celiac disease and type 1 diabetes in C-section born children as opposed to children born vaginally. And the research is out there on this? Research has been published for at least 15 years.

Now, are there other things that happen in terms of physical compression of that child at the time it passes through a tight canal versus being just liberated in the C-section? Perhaps it's playing a role, but I think much of the research, most of it, is focused on the anointing of that child with a specific type of bacterial array, viral array,

Now, are there other things that happen in terms of physical compression of that child at the time it passes through a tight canal versus being just liberated in the C-section? Perhaps it's playing a role, but I think much of the research, most of it, is focused on the anointing of that child with a specific type of bacterial array, viral array,

in the birth canal that invests that child's eyes, ears, nose, mouth, especially, and then serves as the seed for his or her upcoming gut microbiome, as opposed to forming that gut microbiome based upon whatever bacteria happens to be on the surgeon's glove, gown, or in the operating room. The good news, in fact, there's two bits of good news.

in the birth canal that invests that child's eyes, ears, nose, mouth, especially, and then serves as the seed for his or her upcoming gut microbiome, as opposed to forming that gut microbiome based upon whatever bacteria happens to be on the surgeon's glove, gown, or in the operating room. The good news, in fact, there's two bits of good news.

First, that there is a pretty significant normalization of the toddler's gut microbiome with time as he or she is exposed to the world, the similar world as the other child. But the other bit of research I think is really very exciting being done mostly at NYU is the idea of prior to doing a C-section,

First, that there is a pretty significant normalization of the toddler's gut microbiome with time as he or she is exposed to the world, the similar world as the other child. But the other bit of research I think is really very exciting being done mostly at NYU is the idea of prior to doing a C-section,