A lot of research has been conducted to find out whether taking probiotics during pregnancy is safe, how they affect the mother and baby, and whether they have any benefits. Every day, scientists learn more about our bodies’ microbiomes. It is their research that has made us realize how beneficial probiotics can be for people of all ages. We now know babies benefit from probiotics way before conception, and so does the mom. As a mom, it is understandable that you have questions about taking probiotics during pregnancy. Below, we will answer the questions you have about taking probiotics before and during pregnancy.

Is Taking Probiotics During Pregnancy Safe?

The American Pregnancy Association has done a lot of research into this area and concluded that probiotics “do not appear to present any risk during pregnancy”. Probiotics have been proven to be safe for people of all ages, and this applies to vulnerable people. These groups include babies, children, and pregnant mothers. There are concerns that probiotics can lead to infections, but the occurrence of this is less than one in one million for Lactobacillus strains and one in 5 million for S.boulardii. All other strains present a much lower risk than this, and the risk is even lower for those who do not have any health complications.

From all the data available, we know probiotics are safe for the mother and the baby, and this has been proven over and over again.

Can Probiotics Harm a Developing Baby?

Apart from being very safe for the baby, probiotics also have several health benefits for both the mom and her baby. An analysis of tens of thousands of data points by the National Library of Medicine showed that there was no increase in the risk or occurrence of pregnancy complications. Also, the same study showed that the use of probiotics during pregnancy did not harm the mom or her baby.

One last study showed that even in cases where there are different strains of bacteria present, taking probiotics did not cause any negative events during c-sections, and they did not affect the birth weight or cause preterm births.

Can I Take Probiotics During the First Trimester?

There are lots of supplements you should not take during your pregnancy, but probiotics are different in that you can take them before, during, and after your pregnancy. Probiotics taken during the first trimester have lots of benefits, including helping reduce instances of gestational diabetes in moms when combined with a healthy diet.

To see the most benefit, do not wait until you are pregnant to start taking probiotics. Building healthy gastrointestinal and vaginal flora is very important before pregnancy and also has lots of long-term benefits.

Can I Take Probiotics with Prenatal Vitamins?

Probiotics and vitamins are considered an essential part of a healthy pregnancy. It is okay to take vitamins with your probiotics, but just remember that the prenatal supplements you take should have the right vitamins in the right amounts. 

The prenatal supplements from Needed are a great option because, in addition to having the right probiotic strains, as well as vitamins for supporting the health of both mother and baby. They also include omega-3 for proper fetal development, and collagen proteins to meet the mom’s protein needs. Needed has various supplement products to support you before, during, and after your pregnancy, with all their supplements formulated with the help of health practitioners to ensure they are right and beneficial for both you and your baby.

What are the Benefits of Taking Probiotics During Pregnancy?

Everything you take during pregnancy affects your baby’s development, and probiotics have a lot of positive benefits for you and your baby. The first big benefit is that probiotics reduce the risk of gestational diabetes. Probiotics also help reduce excess body fat. Excess body fat increases your risk of gestational diabetes, and that is one way probiotics help with the condition.

A study by the National Library of medicine also showed a link between taking probiotics, lower blood sugar levels, and insulin levels. 

The World Allergy Organization says that women whose babies are at risk of developing allergies and eczema should start taking probiotics as early as possible. Although probiotics cannot prevent any of these conditions, they do help prevent their severity.

A healthy vaginal microbiome is very important during pregnancy because pathogenic bacteria can cause early uterine contractions and thus premature births. Some strains such as Streptococcus, Lactobacillus, and Bifidobacterium help reduce inflammation and the presence of pathogenic bacteria.

A mom’s gut microbiome affects her baby’s brain development. A healthy gut microbiome leads to better brain development, which impacts emotional behavior and motor control.

Your body’s microbiome is a very critical part of your pregnancy, and this is why probiotics are crucial, too. The right probiotics can make a huge difference in a mom’s and her baby’s health, and this is why it is advisable to take probiotics before, during, and after pregnancy.