Clinical Research Directory

Inclusion Criteria for Mother: * Scheduled for cesarean delivery at ≥ 37 weeks * Pregnant with single fetus, in good general health, age 18 years or older * Negative maternal testing for infections transmitted through vaginal and/or other body fluids performed as standard of care tests in early pregnancy * Negative testing for Group B strep at 35-37 weeks gestation * Vaginal pH ≤ 4.5 indicative of Lactobacillus-dominated vaginal microbiota * No maternal or fetal complications that may inhibit the ability to perform microbiome restoration per protocol * English or Spanish speaking * Negative maternal testing for Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Syphilis, and HIV at 35 weeks gestation or later * Women aged 18-29 years must have a normal Pap test within 3 years * Women aged 30-65 years must have a normal Pap test and an HPV test (co-testing) within 5 years or FDA-approved primary hrHPV testing alone within 5 years or a normal Pap test alone within 3 years * Negative maternal testing for SARS-CoV-2 for the delivery admission performed as standard of care test at the Inova Health System. Inclusion Criteria for Infant: * Infant condition after delivery requires no more than standard neonatal resuscitation\* or is otherwise medically unable to receive the full VMT procedure \[\*\] Standard neonatal resuscitation may include: tactile stimulation, bulb suction, oxygen without positive pressure, or drying Exclusion Criteria for Mother: * Delivery at a hospital other than Inova Health System * Cesarean delivery scheduled for active infection that would have interfered with vaginal delivery such as genital herpetic lesions * Rupture of membranes prior to scheduled cesarean delivery * Bacterial vaginosis within 30 days of cesarean delivery * Symptomatic urinary tract infection within 30 days of cesarean delivery * Antibiotic therapy within 30 days of cesarean delivery (exclusive of medication use for prophylaxis at the time of surgery) * Symptoms on admission suggesting Chorioamnionitis, e.g. maternal fever, fundal tenderness * Symptoms on delivery admission of possible vaginal infection such as genital herpetic lesions * History of genital HSV * History positive testing for Group B strep infection * History of a child with a diagnosis of Group B strep sepsis * Pregnancy a result of donor egg or surrogacy * Preexisting history of Type I or Type II Diabetes * Maternal history of documented genital HPV infection, positive HPV testing or genital warts on physician examination * Positive maternal testing for SARS-CoV-2 within 30 days of delivery or symptoms on admission suggesting potential Covid-19 infection