In the uterus(womb), a baby grows in a sterile environment , but as soon as the mother's amnioctic membranes rupture-her waters break-microbes enter this environment and the baby is exposed to bacteria and viruses for the first time.
Some infections can be passed onto the baby while they are still inside the uterus, even before the waters have broken.
As the baby is squeezed out of the uterus through the cervix and into the birth canal, he or she get covered in the organisms that normally live in the mother's vagina or on her skin. These may be 'friendly' bacteria that grow in or on the woman, but may also include harmful microbes such as the bacteria that cause gonorrhea or the virus that causes genital herper.
Bodily fluids,including blood may cover a baby exposing them to infections such as HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C.
One woman in four carries Group B Streptococcus(GBS) bacteria in her vagina, although she may have no symptoms and be unaware it's there. Babies can come in contact with it while still in the uterus or during birth.
If the mother has had aprevious baby with a GBS infection, precaution shpuld be taken.
....BBC HEALTH
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