Birthing Custard or Vernix Caseosa: Why is it important? – Antai Hospital
Vernix Caseosa, sometimes referred to as birthing custard is the cheese-like material that covers a fetus, which can be directly observed during labor. The substance, previously thought to be an unimportant byproduct of labor, is now understood to be a crucial by-product that carries important functions for both short-term and long-term health of the newborn.
The vernix caseosa is a white-yellowish protective biofilm that covers the baby’s skin while in the womb and when the baby exits the vagina during labor. Besides preventing the baby’s skin to excessively wrinkle when submerged in the amniotic fluid during the pregnancy period, it also has protective functions after delivery for example strengthening the baby’s immune system, anti-microbial properties among others. Here at Antai Hospital, we strongly believe in letting the baby fully absorb the vernix caseosa after delivering, and to avoid washing the baby immediately. This act of immediate washing of the vernix caseosa is detrimental and can lead to potential negative complications later in the baby’s development, although nothing fatal will occur, it will lead to the child becoming frail and prone to sickness.
Composition
The birthing custard is mainly composed of water, important proteins, and lipids. The water mainly originates from the amniotic fluid. It contains crucial enzymes, healthy bacteria, immune proteins that help boost the immune system and skin health of the baby. It has been identified that it contains up to 41 different proteins: all of which contribute to fetal innate immunity and antimicrobial properties.
Generally, it has a creamy, greasy texture.
Development
The fetal skin begins to develop from the ectoderm in the fourth week of pregnancy, generating a basal cuboidal layer that subsequently evolves into the dermis. In the fifth week, a layer of non-keratinized squamous/cuboidal cells develops on top of the basal layer, establishing the periderm or epitrichium, which serves as an adhesive mechanical isolator for the skin’s underlaying epidermal strata to develop (stratification).
As the epidermal strata form and the peridermal layer undergoes cyclic keratinization and desquamation, the peridermal layer will be replaced by the stratum corneum in the third trimester (cornification). Sebaceous glands will grow from buds at the epidermal root sheath of hair follicles, functioning to produce sebum at the same time. The fetal vernix caseosa is formed by the morphological and physiological combination of the stratum corneum (corneocytes) and sebaceous glands (sebum), which reaches maximum production and creation in the third trimester.
Important Functions
- Antimicrobial Properties
- Thermoregulation
- Antioxidant properties
- Skin formation
- Natural moisturizer for baby skin
- Boosts skin health
- Boosts skin wound healing
Importance of vaginal birth or Natural birth
When a baby is delivered naturally, when the child passes through the vagina, the baby will carry not only the vernix caseosa, but also important vaginal mucous and membranes that will add on the benefits for the development of the baby. In a Cesarean section however, the baby bypasses the vagina, and exits via the abdomen, so babies delivered in this way are not exposed to the important enzymes and bacteria of the vagina. It is theorized that children birthed from C-section are more prone to disease and health risks later on in life, possible due to not being exposed with the vaginal mucous that carries important compositions.
Antai Hospital’s Commitment
Antai Hospital’s full refund policy for the miscarriage prevention treatments we provide should already be the best guarantee for a healthy pregnancy. Patients should rest assured, can and should go about their everyday life, focusing their diet on vegetables, beans, celery, and other fiber-rich foods. Besides that, an active lifestyle of yoga and swimming should also be incorporated to help relieve stress and increase blood circulation, which is beneficial for the fetus’s development and the mother’s health. With our assurance, a healthy lifestyle, and peace of mind, you can go through a healthy pregnancy with no complications.
Recurrent miscarriages are no doubt a heavy blow to the patient’s physical and mental health. All we can do is to help ease the burden and decrease your trauma, to slowly help you overcome the anxiety with the love and care that we provide at Antai Hospital.
Trust in Antai Hospital and trust in yourself, your pregnancy is our priority.