When it comes to health supplements, probiotics are a bit of a grey area: there don’t appear to be any serious risks associated with taking them, but definitive evidence of their benefits is still being investigated.
There are also some more considerations to consider. The Food and Drug Administration does not regulate many of them. It’s normal that people are unsure about which strains to utilize for specific ailments. When it comes to strains, there are dozens of unpronounceable variations on the market, each claiming to be a treatment for a variety of ailments. probioticseverything.com2 probiotics during pregnancy
Of course, when it comes to pregnancy, all of these already muddled questions become even more so. Because most studies of over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements exclude pregnant women, any evidence we do have is rarely applicable to expectant people. probioticseverything.com2 probiotics during pregnancy
Is this the case with probiotics? In a nutshell, yes and no. Here’s what we know about probiotics and their safety during pregnancy.
What Exactly Are Probiotics?
Probiotics are live bacteria that are intended to improve the bacterial “flora” of many sections of your body, including your gut, mouth, urinary system, and vaginal region. While some bacteria might make us sick, others are beneficial to our health and help us stay fit. probioticseverything.com2 probiotics during pregnancy
Our body’s microbiome can become out of balance if we don’t have enough healthy bacteria, making us vulnerable to illness or unpleasant sensations (like diarrhea).
That’s where probiotics come in: by using microorganisms that are nearly identical to those found naturally in our systems, probiotics can help us rebalance the good and harmful bacteria in our bodies. probioticseverything.com2 probiotics during pregnancy
Yogurt and cottage cheese are two foods that naturally contain probiotics. Probiotics can also be found in fermented foods such as sauerkraut. You can also take a supplement if you don’t enjoy such foods or don’t normally have access to them. probioticseverything.com2 probiotics during pregnancy
Probiotics aren’t for everyone, and they aren’t required. Many of us have bodies that can maintain bacterial equilibrium on their own. However, certain treatments, such as antibiotics, and certain medical disorders, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), might cause your microbiome to become more disrupted than usual. probioticseverything.com2 probiotics during pregnancy
Is it Safe to Take Probiotics While Pregnant?
According to Dr. Rose Chang-Jackson, OBGYN at Austin Regional Clinic in Austin, Texas, “we don’t have a solid answer on whether probiotics are safe to consume during pregnancy.” For the general population, data is few, and much of what we have is based on patient self-reports of symptom relief. “There aren’t really any studies comparing the outcomes of people who take them vs those who don’t,” she explains. probioticseverything.com2 probiotics during pregnancy
It’s also worth noting that we don’t have any evidence that probiotics are dangerous. According to Dr. Chang-Jackson, “what we know from analyzing patient data and looking at adverse events is that it appears to be fairly safe in pregnancy—there are no higher C-section rates or hazards for preterm deliveries.” probioticseverything.com2 probiotics during pregnancy
For example, a review of research published in the journal “BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth” in 2018 indicated that probiotic use during pregnancy had no effect on the risk of preterm birth or any other maternal/fetal health outcomes.
When You’re Pregnant, How Often Should You Take Probiotics?
Because different brands may have varying dosages and dosing instructions, it will depend on the type of probiotic you buy. Furthermore, some probiotics are shelf-stable, while others require refrigeration, so be sure you’ve read up on how to preserve your particular kind. probioticseverything.com
Probiotics are generally safe to consume throughout pregnancy, according to Dr. Chang-Jackson, as long as you follow the package guidelines on whatever probiotics you buy.