Do we get our gut bacteria microbiome before or after birth?
We each have trillions of bacteria living in our gut and this microbiome plays important roles in digestion and fighting disease. Their origins have long been debated, but two large-scale studies in 2019 offered some answers. Advertisement  In one, researchers retrieved more than 500 placentas from women shortly after giving birth, and found the healthy placentas were sterile. Another study reported that babies delivered by caesarean lack certain strains of beneficial bacteria. Taken together, the research indicates we pick up our microbiome during and shortly after birth. Asked by: Michael Chandler, Hereford  Read more:  Advertisement  To submit your questions email us at questions@sciencefocus.com (dont forget to include your name and location)