Vaginal delivery is associated with lower levels of thiol groups, vitamin C and ferric reducing ability in colostrum compared with caesarean section.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of delivery type (normal or caesarean) on the antioxidant and oxidative capacity of colostrum collected shortly after delivery. A total of 61 parturients were included in the study and divided into two groups: those who underwent vaginal delivery (n = 36) and those who underwent elective caesarean section (n = 25). Colostrum samples were collected by manual milking up to 48 h post parturition and analysed for thiol groups (-SH), vitamin C, ferric reducing ability (FRAP), nitrate/nitrite oxides (NOx), and advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP). Colostrum levels of -SH (p = 0.0042), vitamin C (p = 0.0455), and FRAP (p = 0.0374) were significantly lower in the vaginal delivery group. The results suggest that vaginal delivery, compared to caesarean section, is associated with lower levels of antioxidants in colostrum and the mode of delivery plays an important role in the composition of antioxidants in maternal colostrum that help protect newborns from oxidative damage.IMPACT STATEMENTWhat is already known on this subject? Colostrum is the first biological fluid produced by the mother after delivery and is responsible for a child's growth, cognitive development and health. It is known that childbirth can cause oxidative imbalance, and its effects have already been evaluated in maternal and foetal blood, however, there are few studies evaluating the effects of childbirth on colostrum composition.What do the results of this study add? Previously, a study showed that caesarean section caused greater oxidation of colostrum compared to vaginal delivery. Thus, we sought to evaluate other markers (thiol groups, vitamin C, ferric reducing ability, nitrate/nitrite oxides, and advanced oxidation protein products), in a short period of time after delivery, in order to elucidate this still little discussed issue. Unlike the previous one, our study suggests that vaginal delivery, compared to caesarean section, is associated with lower levels of antioxidants in colostrum, which may make it difficult to protect newborns from oxidative damage.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Our study suggests that normal delivery can influence the antioxidant composition of maternal colostrum, and it is debateable for future clinical practice to improve eating habits during pregnancy and lactation, in order to strengthen the antioxidant capacity of colostrum and reduce oxidative damage to newborns.

Gestação, parto, nascimento e internação de recém-nascidos em terapia intensiva neonatal: relato de mães / Gestación, parto, nacimiento e internación de recién nacidos en terapia intensiva neonatal: relato de las madres / Gestation, delivery, birth and hospitalization of newborns in neonatal intensive therapy: mother's report

RESUMO Objetivo: descrever a trajetória do parto, nascimento e internação do recém-nascido em unidade de terapia intensiva neonatal. Método: pesquisa qualitativa desenvolvida com 25 mães de recém-nascidos internados na terapia intensiva neonatal. A coleta de dados ocorreu nos meses de agosto a outubro de 2014, por meio de entrevista semiestruturada, abordando questões do pré-natal à internação do bebê. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de conteúdo temática. Resultados: a trajetória apontou complicações na gravidez, gestação não-planejada e a não vinculação com o profissional com quem estava realizando o pré-natal; necessidade de deslocamento para o parto e condições do nascimento revelaram importante impacto na vivencial das mães. Conclusões: Foram características da trajetória destas mulheres o início tardio do pré-natal e a fragilidade de vínculo com o profissional que realizou o pré-natal. Além disso, a dificuldade de acesso aos serviços de saúde para o parto culminou com o impacto de um nascimento de risco e internação na terapia intensiva.

RESUMEN Objetivo: describir la trayectoria del parto, nacimiento e internación del recién nacido en la unidad de terapia intensiva neonatal. Método: investigación cualitativa desarrollada con 25 madres de recién nacidos internados en terapia intensiva neonatal. La recolección de datos se realizó en los meses de Agosto y Octubre del 2014 por medio de entrevistas semiestructuradas sobre asuntos del prenatal hasta la internación del bebé. Los datos fueron sometidos al análisis del contenido temático. Resultados: la trayectoria mostró complicaciones en la gravidez, gestación no-planeada y la no vinculación con el profesional con el que estaba realizando el prenatal. También, la necesidad de traslado para el parto y condiciones del nacimiento rebelaron un importante impacto en la vivencia de las madres. Conclusión: Las características de la trayectoria de estas mujeres fueron el inicio tardío del prenatal y la fragilidad del vínculo con el profesional que realizó el prenatal. Además, la dificultad de acceso a los servicios de salud para el parto culminó con el impacto de un nacimiento de riesgo e internación en terapia intensiva.

ABSTRACT Objective: to describe the trajectory of the delivery, birth and hospitalization of the newborn in a neonatal intensive care unit. Method: a qualitative research developed with 25 mothers of newborns hospitalized in neonatal intensive care. The data collection was carried out in the months of August to October 2014, through a semi-structured interview, addressing prenatal issues when the baby was hospitalized. The data were submitted to a thematic content analysis. Results: the trajectory pointed to complications in the pregnancy, unplanned gestation and non-attachment to the professional with whom they were caring for in the prenatal period; the need for displacement for the childbirth and birth conditions revealed an important impact on the mothers' experience. Conclusion: it were characteristics of the trajectory of these women the late onset of the prenatal care and the fragility of the bond with the professional who performed the prenatal care. In addition, the difficulty of access to health services for the childbirth culminated in the impact of a risk birth and hospitalization in intensive care.