Taking Probiotics When Pregnant: Everything You Need to Know

Pregnancy is a precious and special time for expecting mothers, and it is also an extremely vulnerable time. Preventative health care is critical to ensuring both mother and baby remain healthy throughout the pregnancy. For expecting mothers, this means focusing on nutrient-rich diets, exercise, and mental well-being. Taking probiotics while pregnant is one aspect of preventative health care that has gained attention and popularity for its benefits for both mother and baby. In this post, we’ll discuss what probiotics are, the potential benefits and impacts of taking probiotics during pregnancy, and whether or not probiotics are right for you.

Probiotics, live bacteria with health benefits, can aid digestion and boost the immune system. While research on probiotics during pregnancy is ongoing, certain strains may have potential benefits, such as reducing inflammation, alleviating constipation, and improving breast milk quality. However, risks like allergic reactions and gut microbiome changes exist. It is essential to consult a healthcare professional before using probiotics during pregnancy. Researching specific prenatal probiotic supplements alongside a healthcare professional is recommended.

Read on to understand more about the benefits and potential risks of incorporating probiotics into your prenatal care routine.

What Are Probiotics?

While antibiotics kill or halt the growth of specific kinds of bacteria, probiotics are live microbes that maintain a healthy balance of bacteria in the gut. The body is home to trillions of microorganisms that all play a role in helping us maintain homeostasis. This process allows your body to maintain stability internally, independent of external factors. In simple terms, probiotics support your immune system and help keep you and your body well-regulated.

Taking Probiotics During Pregnancy

Pregnant women often opt for specific vitamins and supplements to bolster their nutritional requirements and promote their baby’s in-utero development. It is recommended that pregnant people take a daily multivitamin with folic acid, which is crucial for preventing neural tube defects. Folic acid plays a crucial role in averting neural tube defects during the initial stages of fetal growth.

Comprehensive research is still lacking in comprehending the impact of probiotics on maternal health and fetal well-being. According to the American Pregnancy Association:

“Because there is a variety of probiotics and limited research, probiotics cannot be declared safe completely… In the limited research on probiotic use during pregnancy, there have been no associations with probiotic use and miscarriages or malformations of any kind. Furthermore, a meta-analysis by Canadian researchers found no association with probiotic use and the incidence of Caesarean section, birth weight, or gestational age.”

Present studies do indicate the potential benefits of certain probiotics when used cautiously and supervised by a medical professional. Specifically, “prenatal probiotics” formulated with specific strains of beneficial bacteria deemed safe for pregnant women are an example of such potential supplementation.

Research on Probiotics and Pregnancy

Although further research is required to fully comprehend the effects, existing studies indicate that specific strains of probiotics hold promising advantages for expectant mothers. These potential benefits encompass reducing inflammation linked to morning sickness, alleviating the common late-stage pregnancy symptom of constipation, reducing the likelihood of gestational diabetes, and enhancing the quality of breast milk for nursing mothers after delivery, among other potential advantages.

Despite experts endorsing certain probiotic strains as safe for pregnant women, there remain associated risks when incorporating probiotics into a pregnancy regimen. These risks encompass the potential for allergic reactions to particular strains or side effects resulting from alterations in the gut microbiome due to prolonged high-dose consumption. As a result, it is crucial to seek guidance from a healthcare professional before initiating any form of probiotic supplementation during pregnancy.

Determining Whether Probiotics Are Right for You

When contemplating taking probiotics while pregnant, your first step should be consulting your doctor to address potential risks or concerns related to safety for both yourself and your baby. Your doctor possesses the expertise to determine which types of probiotics might be safe and beneficial for you, taking into account the unique characteristics of your body. Furthermore, they can identify potential interactions between probiotic supplements and any medications you may be taking.

After your doctor gives you the green light to start taking probiotics, they will guide you in selecting the most suitable type(s) based on your individual requirements. Researching the specific prenatal probiotic supplement(s) you are contemplating is super important. This entails delving into online reviews from other customers who have used the same products and exploring any available information online concerning their safety record, effectiveness, and more. Once you have gathered this information, contact your doctor and discuss your findings to make an informed decision collaboratively.

Some Final Thoughts

Proper care throughout pregnancy is essential for maintaining good health for both mother and baby. While prenatal supplements such as multivitamins with folic acid are generally considered safe, there is a need for more research regarding taking probiotic supplements while pregnant due to potential risks, especially at higher doses over prolonged periods. Therefore, any expecting mothers considering prenatal probiotics should consult their doctor first to ensure their own and their unborn child’s safety before making any decisions concerning supplemental use during their pregnancy journey.