Is It Safe To Take Probiotics During Pregnancy?

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Sarah: Hey congratulations! I heard that you are going to be a mother soon. You’re going to be amazing parents!

Emily: Thank you so much for your wishes, Sarah.

Sarah:  So how are you feeling now? Did you have a check-up? What did the doctor say?

Emily:  Yeah, I had it recently. The doctor gave me a lot of advice and suggested some of them to keep me calm and peaceful and prescribed some medicines too

Sarah: So what’s stopping you?

Emily: Well, one of my friends suggested probiotics for the good development of a child. Even my husband advised me to have it. But I don’t know now how it works for me…

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Well, this is a common base where people block themselves. In this article, we explore all the pros and cons of probiotics that are used during pregnancy

are probiotics safe during pregnancy

In This Article:

The best possible start in the life of a child can be given to the well-being of a mother. Do you agree? Proper care of a mother –  regular checkups, a balanced diet, and adequate rest, foster a healthy environment for the baby’s development as their health and development are interconnected. So, if we ensure the mother is healthy that means we are giving the best possible start in life. Prioritizing maternal health not only promotes a smoother pregnancy but also lays a strong foundation for the baby’s lifelong health and happiness.

How Common Are Probiotics Used During Pregnancy?

Probiotics have become a popular supplement in recent years. Not only pregnant women, of all ages are incorporating them into their daily lives to support various aspects of health like skin health, gut health, immune support, mental health, sports performance, and well-being. Many of them recognize these benefits and start using them to promote their maternal health. However, the exact prevalence of probiotic use during pregnancy can vary depending on factors such as cultural practices, healthcare provider recommendations, and individual preferences.

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Are They Safe During Pregnancy?

The current information shows that probiotics usually don’t get absorbed in the body when healthy people use them. Research done on pregnant women in their last trimester didn’t find any bad effects on their babies. However, there’s not enough information about using specific types of probiotics during pregnancy, like saccharomyces species. and its unlikely that probiotics taken by mothers will get into their breast milk.

What Do Probiotics Mean, And Their Uses?

Probiotics are living microorganisms, they are nothing but bacteria or yeasts. They play a vital role in the life of a human when consumed in adequate amounts. These are similar to the microorganisms that naturally reside in our bodies. Probiotics are generally found in fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, kimchi, and certain types of cheese. They are also taken through dietary supplements.  They are highly used for good digestion, a supportive immune system preventing antibiotic-associated diarrhea, mental health, and management of other health conditions, tract infections, allergies like eczema, even gestational diabetes during pregnancy.

What Are The Benefits Of Probiotics During Pregnancy And How Do They Work?

Probiotics during pregnancy had more attention for their immense benefits, particularly in support of maternal care and fetal health. Today, even doctors started suggesting a few of the products related to pregnant women. Below are some of the key factors that help in pregnancy

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Pregnancy Health: Probiotics help pregnant women with tummy-related problems like constipation and feeling bloated by keeping their gut balanced and healthy.

Preventing Gestational Diabetes: some of the studies suggested that probiotics reduce the risk of developing gestational diabetes by improving insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism.

Supportive Immune System: probiotics might make a a pregnant woman’s immune system stronger and could help her avoid getting sick during pregnancy.

Low pregnancy Complications: probiotics could possibly lower the chances of certain problems during pregnancy like preeclampsia and having a baby too early.

Accommodating healthy babies: mothers taking probiotiocs can help their babies have strong tummies too. This is because probiotics set good bacteria in the baby’s gut, which helps their immune system to be strong and keeps them healthy in the long run.

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Are Probiotics Safe During Pregnancy?

When this intake is high it can cause problems like stomach-related problems and weaken immunity sometimes. It depends on the body which varies from one another.

Where Can You Get Probiotics While Expecting?

You can get them through many sources in direct or indirect ways

  1. Food: foods like naturally fermented yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, miso, and kombucha help increase probiotic intake.
  2. Supplements: Probiotic supplements are available over the counter at pharmacies, health food stores, and online retailers. It’s important to choose a reputable brand and consult with your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement
  3. Prescription: in some cases. Healthcare providers may prescribe for specific, medical conditions during pregnancy such as preventing or managing certain digestive issues of infections
  4. Prenatal vitamins: so,e may also contain probiotics as part of their formulation, providing an additional source of beneficial bacteria.

Probiotics In The First Trimester Of Pregnancy

Taking probiotics in the early stage might be more beneficial. For example, a study on gestational diabetes gave probiotics to women around 14-16 weeks pregnant. The research found that taking probiotics from around 14 weeks pregnant was helpful. if you are taking probiotics to support vaginal health, it’s best to start early rather than later.

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Can I Drink Yogurt With Probiotics?

It is safe to have yogurt with probiotics unless you have a milk allergy. Probiotics are good bacteria that help your gut work better and help you digest food and absorb nutrients from it.

Probiotics seem to be safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women. It’s unlikely that they get absorbed into the body when healthy people use them. And studies have shown an increase in bad outcomes during pregnancy because of probiotics.

Sources:

  1. National Library of Medicine (NIH)
  2. Optibacprobiotics.com
  3. cloudnine.com
  4. acog.org
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