C Sections - Human Evolution

Ramana Annamraju

Note : This is not medical advice - Consult your Physician- Educational Purpose

The Rise of C-Sections and Its Impact on Human Evolution and Infant Health

The increasing prevalence of Cesarean sections (C-sections) is reshaping human evolution and infant health in unprecedented ways. This trend has far-reaching implications for both maternal physiology and newborn well-being.Evolutionary Impact Experts are observing a concerning trend: C-sections are facilitating the birth of larger babies to mothers with narrower birth canals. Historically, natural selection favored a balance between infant size and maternal pelvic dimensions. However, C-sections are altering this equilibrium:Genes for smaller birth canals are becoming more common

This shift may lead to a future where natural childbirth becomes increasingly difficult or even impossible for many women, necessitating more C-sections.

Effects on Infant Microbiome

NYU Langone Medical Center and Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai led a study published in Nature Medicine in 2016, C-sections not only influence evolutionary trends but also significantly impact newborn health, particularly the establishment of the infant gut microbiome:Babies born via C-section miss exposure to beneficial microbes in the birth canal.In addition higher levels of potentially harmful bacteria, often found in hospitals, are observed in C-section babies. These microbial differences are associated with increased risks of asthma, allergies, obesity, and immune-related disorders

The solution should involve?a combination of physical, psychological, and medical strategies.

In 1885 one of the?first Foreign Medical Gradates of?Women’s Medical?college of Pennsylvania ( Now it is Drexel University )?Dr. Annadi Joshi reflects in her thesis?the complex and controversial nature of C-section surgeries. While she acknowledged the potential benefits of the procedure in saving lives, she also emphasized the need for careful consideration and a deep understanding of the risks involved.

Dr. Joshi writes? in the middle of western?C section debate?“As the importance of obstetrics can be measured only by the value of life and health, and both being of paramount consequence it is deserving of most careful study. When we realize how difficult and vast the subject is, it is not surprising to find so many great minds thoroughly absorbed in its magnitude from time immemorial. Since our study naturally embraces the cause and effect, race, habits, climate[,] influences, and means of assisting Nature in her operations, we must not entirely overlook the history of past ages..”

Yoga Practice :?

.Studies have shown that prenatal yoga can lead to a smoother and less painful birthing experience. For example, a study by Karnasih in 2018 found that prenatal yoga can reduce the duration of labor, particularly in the second and third stages. Additionally, yoga can help alleviate pain during labor and reduce the need for pain medication.

As C-sections continue to shape human evolution and infant health, it's crucial to understand both their benefits and potential long-term implications. Balancing medical necessity with the advantages of natural birth remains a key challenge in modern obstetrics.

I penned an article in my blog about Dr Joshi

https://medbricks.blogspot.com/2021/08/i-have-done-all-that-i-could.html