Is it Safe to Take Probiotics During Pregnancy?

Pregnancy is a big event that can have an impact on your health, but there are ways to ensure you stay healthy throughout this time. One way is to take probiotics during pregnancy.

Pregnancy is a time of great change and excitement, but it’s also a time when you need to be especially careful about what you put into your body.

You know that probiotics are good for your gut health, but should you take them while pregnant? What’s the right answer?

In this blog, we explore why it’s important for pregnant women to take probiotics during pregnancy and how they work in the body.

What are probiotics?

Probiotics during your pregnancy help regulate the balance of bacteria in your gut and promote digestive wellness.

Probiotic foods contain live cultures of good bacteria that may help maintain or restore the natural balance of microorganisms in the intestines (gut).

When taken regularly, these supplements can bring about many benefits like helping with digestion, reducing inflammation, supporting immune function, and keeping yeast overgrowth at bay.

Why do I need them?

Women who are pregnant or trying to conceive often ask, “Is it safe to take probiotics during pregnancy?”

The answer is a resounding yes! Probiotics during pregnancy help maintain the health of your digestive system and overall well-being. They also support immune function and promote healthier skin, hair, nails, and joints.

By taking probiotic supplements at every stage of pregnancy you will have a healthy baby from start to finish. You can even pass these benefits on through breastfeeding by continuing with your daily supplement regimen for both yourself and your baby after birth.

Are probiotics safe during pregnancy?

Probiotics are most likely safe to take while pregnant. However, because there are so many different types of probiotics and so little research on them, probiotics cannot be totally certified safe. It’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor about the supplements you require.

Probiotics are probably harmless, according to the National Library of Medicine (NLM) and the National Institute of Health (NIH), because existing research shows that probiotic supplements are rarely absorbed.

The chance of getting bacteremia from Lactobacillus probiotics is less than one in a million, and the chance of getting fungemia from Saccharomyces boulardii is about one in every 5.6 million people who take the probiotic.

There have been no links between probiotic consumption and miscarriages or abnormalities of any type in the limited studies on probiotic use during pregnancy.

In addition, a meta-analysis conducted by Canadian researchers revealed no link between probiotic consumption and the likelihood of Caesarean section, birth weight, or gestational age.

The National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health concluded that probiotic usage by pregnant or breastfeeding moms poses no danger.

How do probiotics work during pregnancy?

The exact mechanism by which probiotics function is still being debated. Their specific mechanism is currently being investigated by researchers.

However, the basic assumption is that beneficial bacteria target damaging invaders in the same way that bad bacteria attack the body.

One theory is that they help to reduce harmful bacteria in the body, lowering the risk of infections and other health problems.

What are the benefits of probiotics during pregnancy?

Probiotics, whether in the form of foods or pills, aid in the proper functioning of your digestive system. Probiotics, as previously stated, are thought to reduce the presence of harmful bacteria.

By assisting your intestines in moving food and decreasing bad bacteria, you can minimize your risk of developing health problems.

Probiotics during pregnancy can help the following ailments:

• Infection diarrhea
• Antibiotic-related diarrhea
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Bacterial vaginosis
• Eczema (conflicting results)
• Reduced Pediatric atopic dermatitis

Probiotic use was found to lower the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus in one study published in the Natural Medicine Journal.

Can prebiotics be beneficial during pregnancy?

Prebiotics are not the same as probiotics. They’re unique plant fibers that work as fertilizers in the gut, promoting the growth of beneficial microorganisms.

Many fruits and vegetables include prebiotics, especially those that contain complex carbohydrates like fiber and resistant starch. Because these carbs can’t be digested by your body, they travel through your digestive system and become food for bacteria and other germs.

From asparagus to yams, the list of prebiotic foods is long. A fast internet search, as well as a visit with a trained nutritionist, will give dozens of instances.

Prebiotic pills now come in a variety of forms, but they all contain a complex carbohydrate like fiber. Supplement manufacturers target certain ailments, such as bone health and weight loss, by claiming that their components promote the growth of specific microorganisms.

Are probiotics commonly used during pregnancy?

Because constipation and diarrhea are two of the most prevalent pregnancy discomforts, probiotics are commonly used at this time.

Pregnant women were prescribed complementary and alternative medicines by 45 to 93 percent of midwives, according to the Canadian Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology Canada.

Where to find probiotics?

Probiotics are most typically ingested as supplements or in live-cultured yogurt. Yogurt is manufactured by fermenting milk with microorganisms that are then left in the finished product.

Probiotics can also be found in bacteria-fermented foods like sauerkraut, kombucha, and kimchi.
Live organisms are also present in probiotic supplements. A single dosage may contain a single microbe strain or a mixture of microorganisms.

Probiotic supplement companies, like prebiotic supplement companies, target specific ailments like irritable bowel syndrome.

In conclusion

There are many benefits to taking probiotics during pregnancy. It is important that you consult with your physician/doctor before making a decision, but if they approve then there are plenty of great options out there for pregnant women who want to take high-quality supplements.

Likewise, you can also consult with your pharmacist about whether a specific supplement has been tested and approved by the FDA as being safe for pregnant people to use.

A quick reminder ..

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