Taking a probiotic during pregnancy benefits not only your own well-being but also that of your unborn baby. It helps rebuild healthy gut flora and prevents infections, inflammation, and digestive problems in both mother and fetus.
The microbiome is the collective collection of bacteria and fungi that reside naturally inside our bodies. It helps regulate how our systems function, protects against disease, and supports immunity. However, it can be depleted or compromised due to stress, diet, environmental toxins, or medications taken.
Hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy can alter the gut’s microbiome, potentially leading to gastrointestinal issues like bloating and constipation. Furthermore, babies born by vaginal delivery have a different microbiome than those delivered via C-section.
Because of these reasons, taking probiotics is ideal during pregnancy. Probiotics have also been known to lower the risk of gestational diabetes by improving insulin resistance in pregnant women. This could potentially prevent type 2 diabetes in the future and decrease medication requirements to keep blood sugars under control.
To learn more about the benefits of probiotics for gut health during pregnancy, continue reading.
What Are Probiotics?
Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that can improve digestive health and strengthen immunity. You can find them in a range of foods and supplements.
Probiotics are typically consumed daily through fermented foods such as yogurt and kefir, but they can also be taken in the form of dietary supplements. While these supplemental medications aren’t regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration like prescription drugs, they can still prove beneficial in many cases.
When taking antibiotics, the good bacteria in your body eliminates as well. Taking probiotics after finishing an antibiotic can repopulate those good bacteria that were destroyed and reduce the risk of diarrhea.
Can You Take Probiotics While Pregnant?
In order to give both you and your baby the best start in life, it is essential to maintain the health of your gut microbiome throughout pregnancy. Disruptions to this balance may increase the risk of developing conditions like preeclampsia, diabetes, infection, and preterm labor.
Pregnant women experience many changes to the microbiome of the body, such as hormones like estrogen and progesterone that disrupt normal gut function and lead to symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and constipation.
Probiotics can help maintain a balanced gut microbiome during pregnancy, encouraging good digestive health and supporting both mother’s and child’s immune systems. Some women explore supplements designed to support gut health, and checking total restore reviews for example, can be helpful to understand its potential benefits for digestive wellness. This may reduce the chance of your baby developing health issues such as obesity or metabolic diseases later in life.
In most cases, it is safe to take probiotics while pregnant. However, you should never consume certain strains of bacteria during pregnancy, so consult your doctor before adding a new probiotic to your diet.
Benefits of Taking Probiotics during Pregnancy
Probiotics during pregnancy can benefit both mother and child by improving their overall well-being. Evidence supporting the safety of probiotic use during pregnancy comes from several published randomized clinical trials. Here are some benefits of taking probiotics during pregnancy.
May Benefit Gut Health
Prebiotics during pregnancy can be extremely beneficial to you and your baby’s well-being. Not only do they reduce the risk of preterm delivery, but they also help with digestion, making them an invaluable addition to any prenatal regimen. Many pregnant women experience digestive issues like constipation or diarrhea during their pregnancies. Taking probiotics may help address these problems by increasing nutrient absorption. In addition to the benefits of probiotics, the use of fiber supplements for diarrhea can also be helpful in addressing these issues of nutrient absorption. Research suggests that during pregnancy, your gut microbiome undergoes significant changes due to increased hormones and stress. Supplementing with probiotics during the first trimester of pregnancy can help replenish any lost bacteria, as well as boost energy levels.
May Reduce The Risk of Preterm Delivery
Probiotics help keep your digestive tract healthy, which reduces the risk of complications like diarrhea or constipation during pregnancy. Research has suggested that taking probiotics during pregnancy may reduce the risk of preterm delivery. Women who take Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR1 or Bifidobacterium breve during the first and second trimesters have a lower chance of experiencing preterm labor than those who don’t.
May Reduce The Risk of Other Pregnancy Complications
Prebiotics during pregnancy can reduce the risk of other pregnancy complications like preeclampsia. They may also help protect the baby against group B streptococcus (GBS), an infection that may arise during delivery. Studies have indicated that taking probiotics during pregnancy can reduce the risk of GBS colonization in both mother’s vagina and bowel.
May Reduce The Risk Of Eczema In Infants
Infants at high risk for developing eczema may benefit from taking probiotics during pregnancy. These beneficial bacteria naturally found in the gut can help improve digestive health and immunity when taken by expecting mothers. Recent research from Finland revealed that babies born to mothers who took probiotics during their pregnancy were less likely to develop eczema than their counterparts who did not.
May Reduce Depression and Anxiety
Depression is common during pregnancy and can have a detrimental effect on both the mother and her unborn child. Thankfully, taking probiotics during pregnancy may help to reduce depression and anxiety symptoms. Studies have demonstrated that certain strains of probiotics can effectively help alleviate these symptoms.
May Treat Pregnancy-Related Nausea and Vomiting
Probiotics can be an effective treatment for nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. Not only do they lessen the severity of these symptoms, but they also enhance the quality of life in general. Probiotics have been found to increase the number of BSH-producing bacteria, potentially improving GI function.
May Prevent Common Vaginal Infections
Pregnant women may benefit from taking probiotics to help prevent and treat certain vaginal infections, such as bacterial vaginosis and yeast infection. Both of these infections can cause symptoms like pain when urinating, unpleasant-smelling urine, fever, and chills.
Best Probiotic Foods for Gut Health
A probiotic is an active type of bacteria that aids digestion and boosts immunity. They’re commonly found in certain foods or taken as supplements. To improve your gut health during pregnancy, here are the best probiotic foods you can add to your diet.
- Yogurt
- Kombucha
- Peas
- Kimchi
- Sauerkraut
- Tempeh
Conclusion
Prebiotics during pregnancy can support your gut microbiome and help minimize pregnancy-related symptoms such as constipation, nausea, and vomiting. Healthcare professionals often recommend probiotics as a safe and effective option to manage gastrointestinal issues during pregnancy, such as constipation or diarrhea. Furthermore, probiotics help ensure the baby receives sufficient nutrition from the mom’s diet during this time. However, before adding probiotics to your regimen, always consult with a medical professional first.
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