Probiotics During Pregnancy: Good for You and Your Baby?

Overview

• Probiotics are generally safe during pregnancy, with no major risks identified, but it’s best to consult a doctor before taking them.
• Pregnancy can alter the vaginal microbiome. Pregnancy also tends to cause digestive issues like constipation and morning sickness. Probiotics may help restore microbial balance and relieve some of these symptoms.
• Probiotics can support digestion and vaginal health, and help reduce risks of gestational diabetes, preterm birth, and vaginal infections.
• Your baby may benefit from your probiotics, too! Early research is exploring their potential for allergy prevention, skin health, and gut health, though more research is needed.
• When choosing a probiotic, look for researched strains and check for quality, CFU/AFU count, route of administration, and storage needs.

Pregnancy is filled with excitement, questions, and perhaps a few culinary experiments that would make any self-respecting chef do a double-take. Between cravings for ice cream with pickles and tiny kicks reminding you who’s really in charge, you might find yourself pondering the benefits of probiotics. After all, digestive discomfort is probably part of the daily routine by now.

With gut health playing a significant role in overall health and well-being, it’s no surprise that pregnant people may ask, “can probiotics be good for me and my baby?”

But what exactly should you consider when it comes to probiotics and pregnancy? Let’s explore their safety, potential benefits, and how to choose the right probiotic formulation to support the health of both you and your baby.

Are Probiotics Safe During Pregnancy?

When you’re expecting, making informed choices about your health becomes more important than ever. Naturally, you might wonder if introducing probiotics into your daily routine is safe. Probiotics (microorganisms that positively impact health when consumed at effective levels), have been the focus of numerous scientific studies.^1,2,3,4 

The reassuring news from research is that probiotics are generally considered safe for pregnant people. Studies haven’t identified significant adverse effects on either expectant mothers or babies.^4,6,23 

That said, every pregnancy is unique, and what’s right for one person may not be the best for another. Let’s learn more about what’s happening to the microbiome during pregnancy to help guide your decision.

The Microbiome During Pregnancy

During pregnancy, the microbes of both your gut and vagina go through changes to help protect you and your growing baby.

In the gut, microbial communities can shift to include more microbes that help extract extra energy from food to support your increased energy needs.⁷ 

As hormone levels like estrogen and progesterone rise, the vaginal microbiome typically shifts toward a more stable community dominated by Lactobacillus bacteria, which produce lactic acid that acidify the vagina and guard against infection.^8,9 

Before conception, a healthy vaginal microbiome can also influence fertility by supporting cervical mucus quality and helping sperm along their journey to fertilization.¹⁰ 

Digestive Changes During Pregnancy

Just as your gut and vaginal microbiomes adapt during pregnancy, your digestive system also goes through noticeable shifts.⁷ As your baby grows, you might experience digestive issues that make life a bit more… interesting. 

Common gut-related symptoms during pregnancy:

• Bloating
• Constipation⁷
• Gas
• Heartburn (especially in the third trimester)
• Indigestion⁷ 
• Nausea⁵ 
• Vomiting (“morning” sickness)⁵  
• Diarrhea 

These are partly due to hormonal fluctuations that affect your digestive system. Increased progesterone relaxes the muscles in your gastrointestinal tract, which slows digestion. While this helps your body absorb more nutrients for your baby’s development, it also causes those unwelcome symptoms.¹¹  

Vaginal Changes During Pregnancy

Rising levels of estrogen and progesterone promote storage of glycogen—a complex carbohydrate your body uses to store energy—in your vaginal lining.¹² This extra glycogen provides fuel for bacteria like Lactobacillus to help them thrive. 

However, research shows that the vaginal microbiome can go through additional shifts throughout pregnancy.^8,9 While Lactobacillus species, including L. iners and L. crispatus, remain dominant, the overall diversity and richness of these microbes fluctuate, making you more susceptible to infections.¹³

Elevated estrogen levels encourage the growth of yeast (Candida albicans), increasing the likelihood of yeast infections.¹⁴ Changes in your bacterial landscape might also make you more prone to infections like trichomonas vaginalis (TV) or bacterial vaginosis (BV), where harmful bacteria outnumber the good ones, causing discharge and odor. This could even lead to more serious complications like preterm birth.^15,16,17 

Group B Streptococcus (GBS; which occurs in about 35% of women) is a leading cause of neonatal infections and adverse pregnancy outcomes, and can also impact a baby’s gut bacteria.¹³ Researchers discovered that infants born to GBS-positive moms had noticeable differences in their gut microbiomes at 6 months old compared to those whose mothers were GBS-negative.¹⁸

All the more reason to pay more attention to your microbiome while pregnant! It’s not just for you, but for your baby’s health, too.

Probiotics for Pregnancy

Selecting the right probiotic during pregnancy can feel like choosing the perfect rocking chair for the nursery—you want something that supports you now and sets the stage for comfort ahead. 

When considering probiotics, it’s important to focus on those that have been specifically studied for prenatal health. For example, certain strains of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria have been associated with a balanced gut microbiome during pregnancy.^1,19 

Potential Benefits of Taking Probiotics While Pregnant

Some studies show that the bacteria strains in probiotic products may benefit pregnant individuals by supporting digestive and vaginal health and potentially reducing the risk of certain complications like gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and infections.^7,16,17,20 

While probiotics show promise, research is still evolving, and their full impact on pregnancy isn’t yet fully understood. Think of probiotics as helpful allies rather than miracle workers—they shouldn’t replace any part of your standard prenatal care. 

Research on Pregnancy and Probiotics

There’s a growing field of research investigating how probiotics could help with different aspects of pregnancy, labor, and delivery:

• Digestive Health: Let’s be honest – bloating, constipation, and flatulence become uninvited guests overstaying their welcome during pregnancy. Probiotics can help relieve constipation during pregnancy by improving stool frequency, consistency, and overall bowel function.^2,5
• Vaginal Microbiome Balance: Keeping a balanced and diverse vaginal microbiome during pregnancy can help prevent “dysbiosis” or an imbalance of microbes.²⁰ A diverse vaginal microflora might even influence labor outcomes––with high-diversity vaginal microbiota and reduced Lactobacillus dominance often associated with increased risk of preterm birth and preterm premature rupture of membranes, or PPROM.^16,17 
• Immune Function and Allergy Risk: A baby’s microbiome is seeded through birth, nutrition, and exposure to environmental factors during development. Although theories on the specifics of seeding vary, maternal probiotic intake may influence their baby’s immune system and gut health. Exposure to a healthy microbiome helps the baby’s immune system learn to respond appropriately, potentially reducing the risk of developing allergies later in life.¹⁹  
• Glucose Metabolism: Some probiotic strains are being studied for their potential role in healthy glucose metabolism, which is particularly relevant for gestational diabetes.⁷
• Skin Health: Researchers are exploring connections between maternal probiotic intake and infant skin health outcomes such as reducing the risk and severity of atopic dermatitis (AD) and eczema.^3,19 
• Nausea and Vomiting: Around 70% of pregnant women experience some form of morning sickness. 1-3% get the worst of it: hyperemesis gravidarum, AKA, “vomiting all day, every day while trying to grow a human.” One study found that probiotics reduced the severity of this awful side effect of pregnancy.⁵

Remember—every pregnancy is as unique as the little person you’re bringing into the world! Before adding new probiotic formulations to your routine, chat with your healthcare provider or OB-GYN for personalized guidance, ensuring their safety and benefits for you and baby. 

What to Look For in a Probiotic

When exploring probiotic options during pregnancy, consider the following factors to help you make an informed choice:

• Specific Strains (with Benefits): Look for products that clearly list the species and strains they contain, and clinical research supporting their safe and effective use during pregnancy.²³ One noteworthy strain is  Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, which has been studied in pregnancy for its protective effect against metabolic disruptions.¹ 
• Active Fluorescent Units (AFUs) or Colony Forming Units (CFUs): These measurements indicate the amount of viable bacteria in a probiotic. While CFUs are more commonly used, AFUs offer a more precise count by measuring both viable and active bacteria using a flow cytometry—a microscopic technique that uses fluorescence to detect glowing cells and spores. Reliable products should clearly list AFU or CFU counts on their packaging to ensure transparency.
• Storage Requirements: Some probiotics require refrigeration to maintain their potency, while others are shelf-stable. Check the storage instructions on the packaging. 
• Delivery Method: Probiotics come in various forms: capsules, tablets, powders, suppositories. Consider what benefits you’re hoping to achieve as well as your existing routine—which format are you most likely to take consistently? Oral probiotics have well-known effects on the gut microbiome, but may not be as effective as suppositories when it comes to the vaginal microbiome.²¹ 
• Additional Ingredients: Pay attention to any added ingredients, such as fillers, binders, or potential allergens. Opting for products with minimal unnecessary additives can reduce the potential for adverse reactions.

Remember, it’s always best to consult with your obstetrician or midwife before starting any new product during pregnancy. 

The Key Insight

Pregnancy is an exciting time filled with important decisions: how to decorate the nursery, what to eat, and—for those reading—how to support your gut and vaginal health. Generally considered safe for pregnancy, probiotics may help keep your microbiome balanced through all the changes your body experiences.²³ But just like choosing the perfect name or the softest blanket, it’s important to find what’s right for you, so consulting with your doctor is the best way to determine if probiotics can address your individual needs. 

It may not seem like it now, but prioritizing your gut health is a simple yet meaningful way to support both you and your baby. After all, nurturing yourself is the first step in nurturing the little ones along for the ride.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Can Taking Probiotics During Pregnancy Cause Any Side Effects?

Probiotics are generally considered safe during pregnancy, with minimal risk of side effects.²³ Some individuals may experience mild digestive discomfort when starting probiotics, but serious adverse effects are rare. It’s advisable to start with a low dose and consult with a healthcare provider if any concerns arise. 

Which Probiotics Are Suitable For Pregnant Women?

Probiotics containing select strains of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species have been studied in pregnant populations.^16,19,23 Choosing high-quality probiotic formulations that have been tested for safety is advisable. Discuss options with a healthcare professional to help you select a product that’s right for you.

Do Probiotics Affect The Baby’s Health?

Maybe. The impact of probiotics on a fetus aren’t fully understood, but this is a new area of research that scientists are exploring. For now some evidence suggests that maternal use of probiotics may be beneficial for the mother and the baby.^4,22

Are Probiotics Safe To Take While Breastfeeding? 

Yes! Studies show that probiotics are safe for you and your baby if you’re breastfeeding.^6,23 In fact, some studies show that taking probiotics while nursing can be beneficial to your infant, including modulating their immune response and reducing the incidence of infant eczema.^3,23