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How Probiotics May Positively Impact Your Pregnancy

August 28, 2019

A study has found that taking probiotics during pregnancy may lower the risk of preterm birth and preeclampsia, a pregnancy complication that is characterized by high blood pressure.1

Relationship Between Probiotics and Pregnancy Complications Unclear

Thanks to the study, there is data to support the claim that probiotics and a lower risk of pregnancy complications are linked.1 However, the study was unable to determine exactly how probiotics reduced those risks. Researchers speculated that reduced inflammation may play an important role, as well as the timing of the probiotic intake during pregnancy.

More research is needed to fully understand the relationship between probiotics and their effect on pregnant women, but this study provides an important and interesting connection between the two.

About the Study

There is a growing body of evidence that suggests a mother’s diet influences pregnancy outcome1; however, could probiotics offer additional health benefits to pregnant women and reduce certain complications of pregnancy? That’s what the study aimed to find out, and more specifically, whether the timing of probiotic intake makes a difference in its supposed effects.

To determine whether the timing of intake might influence the risk level of pregnancy complications, researchers used data on more than 70,000 pregnancies from the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study (MoBa). As part of the study, moms-to-be self-reported information on diet, lifestyle, medical history and other background information at 15, 22 and 30 weeks of pregnancy.

At 15 and 30 weeks, the moms were asked additional questions on intake of different milk products containing probiotic bacteria before and during their pregnancies.

Nearly one in four (slightly more than 23 percent) of women said they had consumed probiotic milk products before pregnancy; more than one-third (more than 37 percent) had done so during early pregnancy; a similar proportion (slightly more than 32 percent) had done so later in pregnancy.

According to the study, a significant link emerged between probiotic intake during early pregnancy and an 11 percent lower risk of premature birth. That figure rose to 27 percent in relation to probiotic intake later in pregnancy. The amount of probiotics consumed did not appear to make a difference.1

It should be noted that the study is observational, which means no firm scientific conclusions can be made regarding cause and effect. Likewise, researchers were not able to account for strain viability or shelf life of the probiotics consumed, which could influence the findings. Again, the study emphasizes the need for additional research. Still, researchers were able to state the following:

“If future randomized controlled trials could establish a casual association between probiotics consumption and reduced risk of preeclampsia and preterm delivery, recommending probiotics would be a promising public health measure to reduce these adverse pregnancy outcomes.”1

Benefits of Probiotics

Probiotics are microorganisms, sometimes called “good bacteria,” that are introduced to the body for their beneficial qualities. Probiotics can be found in many common food and beverage products such as yogurt, sauerkraut, kombucha, pickles, buttermilk and some cheeses. They can also be introduced to the body through supplements.9

Probiotics may help promote digestive and heart health.2,3 Some research even suggests their consumption may be linked to reduced anxiety and depression.2-4

In regard to pregnancy, the anti-inflammatory properties of probiotics may be linked to lower risks of certain complications such as preeclampsia and spontaneous preterm delivery.1 How these properties are linked is still unclear, and more research is needed before we can fully understand their relationship.

Are Probiotics Safe During Pregnancy?

While probiotics are probably safe for most women to take during pregnancy, medical experts warn that they cannot be declared safe due to limited research and the wide variety of probiotics that are currently available.5 Always consult your doctor before taking probiotic supplements.

Prenate® Restore

There is research to support the claim that a baby’s probiotic consumption through breastmilk may help boost his or her digestive and immunity health.6-8 For women who aren’t able to consume enough probiotics through their regular diets, supplements may be beneficial.

As part of the Prenate® Vitamin Family line of prenatal vitamins, Prenate® Restore helps support lactation with probiotics and 400 mg DHA in a complete postpartum vitamin. It is the only prescription vitamin containing probiotics that is indicated for use in breastfeeding and also can be used throughout pregnancy.

Connect with Prenate®

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

WARNING: Accidental overdose of iron-containing products is a leading cause of fatal poisoning in children under 6. Keep this product out of reach of children. In case of accidental overdose, call a doctor or poison control center immediately.

WARNING: Ingestion of more than 3 grams of omega-3 fatty acids (such as DHA) per day has been shown to have potential antithrombotic effects, including an increased bleeding time and International Normalized Ratio (INR). Administration of omega-3 fatty acids should be avoided in patients taking anticoagulants and in those known to have an inherited or acquired predisposition to bleeding.

This site and its contents are an information resource only, and are neither intended to nor should be used in replacement of your doctor or other prescribing professional’s medical guidance, recommendations or advice. Neither this site nor its information should be used or relied upon for any diagnostic, medical, treatment, nutritional or other purpose. All aspects of pregnancy, including whether pregnancy is right for you, and the nourishment and care of your child, should be made with your doctor and other appropriate medical professional, and in consideration of your and your child’s particular medical history. Avion Pharmaceuticals, LLC (“Avion”) makes no representation, warranty or other undertaking that this site or its information are appropriate for you or your child’s specific needs or issues, and further expressly disclaims all damages, losses, injuries or liability whatsoever incurred or alleged to have been incurred in consequence of your reliance on the information on this site. Avion does not endorse any test, procedure, treatment, remedy, therapy, cure, nutritional regimen, method or other activity or undertaking that you and/or your doctor or other medical professional may elect or recommend. By visiting this site you agree to these terms and conditions and acknowledge that you have read and understand the same. These terms and conditions, together with any information on this site, may be amended, restated or otherwise changed from time to time and at any time by Avion within the sole, absolute and uncontrolled exercise of its discretion. You acknowledge and agree that Avion has no duty or obligation to keep you informed of any amendments to, restatements of or other changes to these terms and conditions or this site, and that you are solely and exclusively responsible for apprising yourself of the same.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

WARNING: Accidental overdose of iron-containing products is a leading cause of fatal poisoning in children under 6. Keep this product out of reach of children. In case of accidental overdose, call a doctor or poison control center immediately.

WARNING: Ingestion of more than 3 grams of omega-3 fatty acids (such as DHA) per day has been shown to have potential antithrombotic effects, including an increased bleeding time and International Normalized Ratio (INR). Administration of omega-3 fatty acids should be avoided in patients taking anticoagulants and in those known to have an inherited or acquired predisposition to bleeding.

This site and its contents are an information resource only, and are neither intended to nor should be used in replacement of your doctor or other prescribing professional’s medical guidance, recommendations or advice. Neither this site nor its information should be used or relied upon for any diagnostic, medical, treatment, nutritional or other purpose. All aspects of pregnancy, including whether pregnancy is right for you, and the nourishment and care of your child, should be made with your doctor and other appropriate medical professional, and in consideration of your and your child’s particular medical history. Avion Pharmaceuticals, LLC (“Avion”) makes no representation, warranty or other undertaking that this site or its information are appropriate for you or your child’s specific needs or issues, and further expressly disclaims all damages, losses, injuries or liability whatsoever incurred or alleged to have been incurred in consequence of your reliance on the information on this site. Avion does not endorse any test, procedure, treatment, remedy, therapy, cure, nutritional regimen, method or other activity or undertaking that you and/or your doctor or other medical professional may elect or recommend. By visiting this site you agree to these terms and conditions and acknowledge that you have read and understand the same. These terms and conditions, together with any information on this site, may be amended, restated or otherwise changed from time to time and at any time by Avion within the sole, absolute and uncontrolled exercise of its discretion. You acknowledge and agree that Avion has no duty or obligation to keep you informed of any amendments to, restatements of or other changes to these terms and conditions or this site, and that you are solely and exclusively responsible for apprising yourself of the same.

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