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There is no doubt that many of you have heard about the topic of cesarean deliveries and their potential association with autism in children, and that C-sections may be a contributing factor. I previously discussed this topic in one of my podcast episodes (link to the YouTube episode) where I briefly explained the possible connection between autism and cesarean births. In this article, I would like to provide a more detailed and scientifically grounded explanation of this topic. As you may know, the complexity of autism lies in the interplay of multiple factors, which can be difficult to identify and link together—especially for those who lack sufficient health awareness. This is one of the main goals of this platform: to raise awareness, explain how different factors are interconnected, and guide individuals toward a healthier lifestyle. Because autism involves numerous overlapping contributors, it becomes extremely difficult to assign blame to a single cause. Scientifically, proving causation is one of the hardest challenges, and it is very rare to conclusively prove that one factor directly causes another. However, research suggests that cesarean deliveries may be one of the contributing factors—especially when combined with other risk elements. To understand this more clearly, let’s first look at the mechanisms of natural birth and then compare them with cesarean delivery. Recent studies (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37327780/ ) show the importance of a newborn being exposed to beneficial bacteria from the vaginal canal during natural birth. These microbes form the foundational layer of the baby’s immune system and neurological development, creating unique bacterial strains that cannot easily be obtained later in life. During natural birth, the baby is not subjected to external force or unnatural pressure. The natural compression of the chest helps expel fluids from the lungs. As soon as the baby is born, skin-to-skin contact with the mother provides warmth and emotional bonding, stimulating labor-related hormones—especially oxytocin—which supports brain function, immunity, breathing regulation, and sleep. This is followed by immediate breastfeeding, which provides the second essential layer of immune and developmental support. The early droplets of breast milk are uniquely rich in beneficial bacteria, amino acids, fats, and antibodies specifically designed for the newborn. These components gradually decrease over the first three days. In contrast, cesarean delivery presents a different scenario. Before the operation, the mother receives antibiotics to prevent infection, some of which may reach the baby. Since the baby does not pass through the vaginal canal (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38256127/ ), they miss exposure to the mother's natural microbiome and may instead be exposed to unfamiliar bacterial strains from the medical environment. The absence of natural chest compression also increases the likelihood of retained lung fluids. Most babies born via C-section cannot breastfeed immediately due to the mother’s anesthesia and ongoing surgical procedures, so the baby usually receives formula in the first hours for glucose monitoring and routine tests. These factors may contribute—especially when combined with genetics, medication use, toxin exposure, or an unhealthy lifestyle during pregnancy. Recently, strong scientific interest has shifted toward the gut microbiome and its long-term impact, particularly in premature infants, where C-sections, antibiotics, formula feeding, and intensive care all influence microbial development and neurological outcomes (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41011544/ ). It is important to clarify that I am referring here to elective C-sections, not emergency cases. Many modern mothers choose C-sections to avoid pain without fully understanding the consequences. Medications, anesthesia, prolonged hospital stays, surgical wounds, bleeding, adhesions, and potential blood clots (https://www.thelancet.com/series-do/caesarean-section ) all carry risks that affect the mother before the baby. In conclusion: A cesarean birth is not the primary cause of autism; however, it can be a contributing factor within the complex network of biological and environmental influences that affect the child's physiological and neurological development.