Probiotics in Pregnancy
Pregnancy is a very delicate state. We must eat more and include more supplements during our pregnancy and postpartum journey. Home birth is designed for low-risk women who are seeking an out of hospital experience. My goal as your midwife is to share the best supplements and support my clients by making sure we maintain a low-risk pregnancy to ensure a safe pregnancy.
This blog will share the benefits of taking a probiotic. Probiotics are one of the most important supplements because they help support a healthy gut microbiome for the mother and baby.
Did you know that probiotics are the third most popular dietary supplement sold in America?
What are probiotics?
Probiotics are live microorganisms that when consumed in adequate amounts, provide several health benefits. Probiotics are “good” bacteria and yeasts that offer a number of health benefits. Great for during and after pregnancy to support overall gut health. They can be added to foods and found in supplement forms such as capsules, powders, and liquids.
Benefits of Probiotics in the Body:
Blood Sugar Regulation
Blood sugar levels can impact so many aspects of pregnancy, such as nausea, energy, and mood, but one study concluded that supplementation with probiotics during pregnancy also reduced the risk of gestational diabetes by up to 23%. The benefits of probiotics during pregnancy aren’t lost if you’ve already been diagnosed with gestational diabetes, though, as probiotic supplementation has been shown to reduce the risk of having a larger-than-gestational-age baby in women with gestational diabetes.
Digestion and regulate bowel movements
Probiotics help to improve nutrient digestion. Metabolism moves a little slower during pregnancy, so taking probiotics help support your digestion and prevent constipation or diarrhea by balancing bacteria in your gut.
Stimulating the immune system
80% of our immune system starts within your gut. If mom breastfeeds, the breastmilk can help to support the baby’s immune system. Taking a probiotic supplement prevents or reduces the chance of babies having eczema and allergy risk. When mothers take probiotics, it influences their baby’s gut microbiome.
Balanced Microbiome
Probiotics support positive, balanced vaginal microbiome. The hormonal changes that happen during pregnancy like increased estrogen can affect the vaginal pH. The changes within the pH during pregnancy can make mom more suspectable to yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis and other infections. Using proper probiotics will help prevent infections and improve your overall vaginal health throughout your pregnancy.
Which probiotics are best to consume?
Lactobacillus Rhamnosus GG species is the most studied probiotic. Others suitable probiotics are Lactobacillus crispatus, lactobacillus jensenii, and lactobacillus and Bifidus.
My recommended probiotics are:
As we’ve explored the many benefits of probiotics for pregnancy and even postpartum, how do you feel you could incorporate more probiotics into your diet? Maybe fermenting some vegetables in apple cider vinegar for a healthy snack later is your style. If you’re looking for some recommendations of great supplements for probiotics, check out the links below to start improving your gut health with probiotics.
Love always your midwife, Faren