Celebrating Scholarship and Creativity Day (2018-)
Document Type
Poster
Publication Date
4-30-2026
Disciplines
Biology
Advisor
Kristina Timmerman
Abstract
Cesarean sections (C-sections) are a major surgical procedure intended to minimize the rate of maternal and infant mortality due to complications during birth. While they were originally intended to only be performed when medically necessary, rates of non-medically indicated C-sections have increased significantly. This poster examines the unintended consequences (UICs) that are associated with C-section delivery, focusing on both short-term and long-term effects. A major focus is how C-sections disrupt early microbial exposure during birth, which plays an important role in the development of the infant gut microbiome and immune system. Research has shown that infants born via C- section have different patterns of microbial colonization when compared to those born vaginally. This has been associated with increased risk of asthma, allergies, and other immune-related disorders. The paper also looks at short-term respiratory complications in newborns and possible effects on neurodevelopmental outcomes. This paper examines why these outcomes were not originally anticipated. It emphasizes the focus on immediate survival in medical practices and the limited understanding of the microbiome at the time. It also examines current strategies that are used to reduce the unintended consequences such as vaginal microbiota transfer, breastfeeding, skin-to-skin contact, and efforts to limit the amount of non- medically necessary C-sections. Overall, this paper argues that although C-sections are essential, life-saving interventions, their increased rate has introduced unintended consequences that extend beyond immediate birth outcomes. This outweighed the importance of more fully understanding their long-term effects, balancing medical necessity with potential risks for both mothers and infants.
Recommended Citation
Odegard, Cecilia and Rose Piette, Ellie, "The Delivery Dilemma: Unintended Consequences of Cesarean Sections" (2026). Celebrating Scholarship and Creativity Day (2018-). 361.
https://digitalcommons.csbsju.edu/ur_cscday/361