Mode of Birth and Infant Outcomes: A Review of Literature

Trauma in birth can be stressful for the newborn. With consideration to the theory of allostatic load, this critical review of literature addresses the potential for a lasting effect on infant temperament, breastfeeding and sleep based on mode of birth. I used CINAHL, Pubmed and PsycInfo databases, and the keywords “birth, outcomes, adaptation, lactation, breastfeeding, infant, sleep, temperament”, initially with no limitations on dates. However, ultimately a limitation on dates for “breastfeeding” was applied because of cultural shifts about infant feeding. All articles found addressing mode of birth and the listed outcomes were included. Further research is needed in all of these areas, as the current body of literature is small and inconclusive. However, there is some suggestion from the evidence of an affect of mode of birth on breastfeeding, and infant sleep. This would indicate that decreasing trauma in birth is best for newborn adaptation. Keywords: Mode of birth; Newborn adaptation; Newborn stress; Parturitio