Probiotics are live bacteria that work great as supplements to balance and restore gut health. But while probiotics can be beneficial to many demographics, there may be some groups who are more hesitant to consume these bacterial warriors.
Pregnant women, for example, may be wondering: can I take probiotics during pregnancy? How safe are probiotics for new moms?
Probiotics are considered safe to consume during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. Taking probiotic supplements while pregnant may even help to promote positive pregnancy outcomes.
So if you’re an expectant mother who’s interested in how probiotics could have a positive impact on your pregnancy, keep reading. In this blog, we’ll discuss the safety behind probiotics and discuss the best ways future moms can use these friendly live bacteria to support the health and development of their babies.
Are probiotics safe in pregnancy?
Every decent mother’s first concern is the health of her baby - that’s why expectant mothers may be wondering, are probiotics safe for pregnant women to take?
Studies show that not only are probiotics safe to use during pregnancy, but they also offer potential health benefits for pregnant women and their babies.
Of course, in order to ensure safety and maximum results, moms-to-be need to make sure they’re taking the right amount for them. While there is no official recommended daily intake, taking at least 20-50 CFUs is considered necessary for the best pregnancy outcomes.
Why take probiotics during pregnancy?
Taking probiotics when pregnant can be beneficial not only for mothers, but for their developing fetuses too.
In fact, research indicates that implementing probiotic supplementation while pregnant may play a role in preventing the following issues:
- Preterm birth
- Perinatal infections
- Gastrointestinal diseases
- Atopic disorders during early life
Further studies indicate a variety of benefits that probiotic supplements have to offer, including:
- Lower maternal stress
- Improved maternal bonding to offspring
- Improved maternal vaginal and gut microbiota
- Reduced fetal stress
- Improved vaginal health
That’s why expecting moms should consider adding a probiotic supplement to their diet to ensure maximum benefits and health.
Best probiotics for pregnancy
Now that we’ve learned about the advantages of taking probiotics during pregnancy, we may be curious about which probiotics are best for pregnant women.
Studies indicate that there are multiple strains of probiotics that provide favorable effects during pregnancy, some of which include:
- Lactobacillus rhamnosus
- Lactobacillus acidophilus
- Lactobacillus reuteri
- Bifidobacterium breve
- Bifidobacterium lactis
That’s why FuelOrganics offers a vegan probiotic supplement that provides some of the best probiotic strains to not only promote gut health but to help ensure a healthy and happy pregnancy.
Can you take probiotics while breastfeeding?
We know that probiotics and pregnancy make a great match, but you may be wondering: can breastfeeding mothers take probiotics too?
The answer is yes! In fact, studies show that breastfeeding profoundly influences the infant gut microbiota, which is why probiotics may help to:
- Prevent infections
- Prevent diaper yeast
- Prevent diaper rash
- Improve immunological function
Final thoughts
Pregnant women need to take extra measures to ensure proper nutrition for themselves and their developing babies. While many expectant mothers prioritize vitamins and minerals in their diet, probiotics should not be ruled out as an effective prenatal and postnatal supplement.
Want to know more about probiotics and why you might need them, click here
Trusted sources
- Sheyholislami H, Connor KL. Are Probiotics and Prebiotics Safe for Use during Pregnancy and Lactation? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrients. 2021 Jul 13;13(7):2382. doi: 10.3390/nu13072382. PMID: 34371892; PMCID: PMC8308823.
- Baldassarre, M. E., Palladino, V., Amoruso, A., Pindinelli, S., Mastromarino, P., Fanelli, M., Di Mauro, A., & Laforgia, N. (2018). Rationale of Probiotic Supplementation during Pregnancy and Neonatal Period. Nutrients, 10(11), 1693. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10111693
- Browne, P. D., Bolte, A., Claassen, E., & de Weerth, C. (2019). Probiotics in pregnancy: protocol of a double-blind randomized controlled pilot trial for pregnant women with depression and anxiety (PIP pilot trial). Trials, 20(1), 440. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-019-3389-1
- Reid, G., & Kirjaivanen, P. (2005). Taking probiotics during pregnancy. Are they useful therapy for mothers and newborns?. Canadian family physician Medecin de famille canadien, 51(11), 1477–1479.
- Moossavi, S., Miliku, K., Sepehri, S., Khafipour, E., & Azad, M. B. (2018). The Prebiotic and Probiotic Properties of Human Milk: Implications for Infant Immune Development and Pediatric Asthma. Frontiers in pediatrics, 6, 197. https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2018.00197