World Health Day 2025: How a healthy start in the womb shapes your child’s future

Today is World Health Day. This year the theme is Healthy beginnings, hopeful futures, which suggests the vital role of early development of a child. They say happy mom, happy child. It is also healthy mom, healthy child. Traditional tales and science both suggest that a baby’s health journey begins way before its birth.

Research reveals that a baby’s microbiome, the complex ecosystem of bacteria and other microbes, starts forming inside the womb. This early development shapes the child’s immunity, metabolism, and even brain function. Therefore, it is important to pay close attention to maternal health as a key foundation for lifelong well-being.

The microbiome consists of microbes like bacteria, viruses, fungi that live in and on your body, especially in the gut. These microbes help with digestion, immunity, metabolism, and even mental health. Shaped by genetics, diet, and birth method, the microbiome begins developing before birth and plays a key role in your baby’s health.

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Pregnancy diet: A diet high in fibre, fermented foods, and whole foods nurtures beneficial bacteria that pass helpful signals to the developing fetus (Image: Canva)

A baby’s health journey starts in utero. The microbiome is a living system that interacts with every organ in the body, says Dr Anupama Gangwal, Senior Consultant Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Cocoon Hospital, Jaipur. “Bacterial DNA and microbial by-products from the mother are transferred through the placenta, and these early exposures play a vital role in priming the baby’s immune system,” she explains.

Dr  Gangwal adds that the gut microbiome doesn’t just influence digestion, it’s tied to everything from how the immune system matures to how the brain responds to stress. “As a result, prenatal care is no longer only about preventing complications during labour, it’s about setting up a child for lifelong health,” she says.

• Diet–microbiome, and why stress matters

A healthy maternal microbiome doesn’t happen by accident. It’s deeply influenced by the mother's daily choices. A diet high in fibre, fermented foods, and whole foods nurtures beneficial bacteria that pass helpful signals to the developing fetus. “On the other hand, heavily processed diets rich in sugars can cause harmful imbalances. Maternal stress has emerged as a key influencer of microbiome development,” says Dr Shwetha Krishnamurthy, Consultant Obstetrics and Gynaecology, SPARSH Hospital, Bengaluru. “Stress alters hormone levels, which can shift the composition of gut bacteria in the mother. These shifts affect the fetal environment, increasing the chances of metabolic or emotional issues in the child,” she adds.

Dr Krishnamurthy cautions that poor dietary habits may lead to gestational diabetes and excessive birth weight, increasing the baby’s risk of developing metabolic disorders later in life. “The relationship between gut microbes, hormones, and mental health shows how interconnected our internal systems really are, and how vital it is to protect them during pregnancy,” she adds.

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• Gut-brain axis and informed delivery choices:

Recent research also suggests a link between the gut and the brain, especially in the context of fetal development. “Mental health during pregnancy has always been important, but now we understand that chronic stress might disrupt not just hormonal balance but also gut microbiota,” says Dr Pavitra Sharma, Consultant at Apollo Spectra Hospital, Jaipur. “Since the gut and brain are closely linked through what we call the gut-brain axis, disturbances in gut bacteria can influence how a child’s brain develops and responds to stress in the future,” she adds.

Delivery methods also play a role, says Dr Sharma. “Babies born vaginally benefit from direct exposure to the mother’s vaginal microbiota, helping populate their gut with healthy bacteria. In cesarean births, this initial microbial exposure is reduced, which may delay the development of a diverse microbiome. While breastfeeding and probiotics can help bridge the gap, these facts stress on the importance of informed decision-making around childbirth,” she adds.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.