Probiotics

Your gut is a glorious feeding ground for bacteria, good and bad. Good bacteria help maintain beneficial intestinal flora, aid with digestion, and promote a healthy immune system. You are building a literal bacterial community with everything you put in your body, which will shape your baby’s bacterial world. If your diet is not rich in foods high in probiotics, take a probiotic supplement. In fact, it wouldn’t hurt at all either way. Research has shown that regular use of probiotics in pregnancy can offer women many benefits, while processed foods, disease, and stress can damage our gut flora.

While probiotics are typically thought of as beneficial for digestive health, they are also found in the urinary and vaginal tracts; thus, they help prevent urinary tract infections, yeast infections, and other vaginal infections. Research also shows that bacterial flora shapes our immune systems and influences our risk of disease as we age.

Even more amazing is that distinct bacteria found in breastmilk contribute to an infant’s gut microbiome. Several studies have identified that the bacteria found in a baby’s tummy match the bacteria from a mother’s skin and, especially, from the milk they feed to their babies! So, eat well!

Probiotics in Your Diet

Fermented foods are a good source of probiotics, but the number and type of bacteria species can vary. Taking a probiotic supplement will ensure you get specific strains.

Fermented Foods
Cheese Pickles Kefir Sauerkraut Kimchi Spirulina Kombucha	Tempeh Kvass Vegetables, raw Miso Vinegar, apple cider Natto Yogurt, plain

Probiotic Specific Strains

Benefits of probiotics are strain-specific, but overall, probiotics during pregnancy will improve digestion, reduce harmful bacteria in the vagina, reduce your risk of postpartum depression, help with morning sickness, and improve your weight loss after baby is born. 

Vaginal and Gastrointestinal Tract

Specifically, the common strain Lactobacilli is normally present in the vagina and gastrointestinal tract. Together with Bifidobacterium, it is one of the first bacteria to colonize the infant gut after delivery. Also important to pregnancy are the strains Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Lactobacillus reuteri. They have been shown to contribute to normal vaginal flora, have been used to treat bacterial vaginosis, and may help reduce Group B strep (GBS) colonization.

Probiotics and GBS

The discussion surrounding probiotics and GBS is particularly relevant for expectant mothers, especially since many women are increasingly seeking alternatives to traditional antibiotic treatments. Typically, when a pregnant woman tests positive for GBS around the 37-week mark, antibiotics are recommended during labor to prevent potential transmission to the newborn.

However, an emerging body of research suggests that probiotics may play a role in managing GBS colonization. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that can help restore the body's natural balance of flora. Studies have shown that regular probiotic use can reduce GBS colonization, potentially lowering the risk of complications for both mother and baby. This presents an intriguing alternative for those looking to reduce the chance of antibiotics while still addressing GBS concerns, especially since probiotics are considered safe during pregnancy

Dr. Sarah Wickham, a respected figure in the field, has authored an informative book titled Group B Strep Explained, which delves into the relationship between probiotics and Group B Streptococcus (GBS). This book is readily available on Amazon for those interested in exploring this topic further.

What Damages Our Gut Flora?

The more well-known interference with good gut health is antibiotics, but research studies show that many lifestyle choices can significantly interfere with gut microbiota.

Birth control pills

Formula feeding

Disease

Stress

Drinking too much alcohol

Smoking

Not getting enough exercise

Obesity

High grain fiber diet

Processed carbs & sugar (feeds pathogens, changes pH)

In addition to lifestyle, exposure to certain medications, chemicals (including fragrance), and prolonged fasting, starvation, or overeating can also disrupt the gut bacteria.

Probiotic Strains

Many probiotic supplements contain a combination of many different strains in the same supplement. Choose a strain with 20-50 billion CFU (Colony Forming Units) with a mixture of several strains. Specifically, be sure the supplement includes Lactobacilli, Bifidobacterium , L rhamnosus, and L reuteri. Be sure to read the instructions on dosage, when to take them, and how to store them. Avoid probiotics with harmful additives. 

Check out My Favorite Supplements for suggestions on probiotic sources.

Sources

British Medical Journal: Women taking probiotics during pregnancy might have lower pre-eclampsia and premature birth risk. BMJ Website.

Conlon, Michael A, and Anthony R Bird. “The impact of diet and lifestyle on gut microbiota and human health.” Nutrients vol. 7,1 17-44. 24 Dec. 2014, doi:10.3390/nu7010017

D’Argenio, Valeria. “The Prenatal Microbiome: A New Player for Human Health.” High-throughput vol. 7,4 38. 11 Dec. 2018, doi:10.3390/ht7040038

Le Doare, Kirsty et al. “Mother’s Milk: A Purposeful Contribution to the Development of the Infant Microbiota and Immunity.” Frontiers in immunologyvol. 9 361. 28 Feb. 2018, doi:10.3389/fimmu.2018.00361

Stinson, Lisa F et al. “The Not-so-Sterile Womb: Evidence That the Human Fetus Is Exposed to Bacteria Prior to Birth.” Frontiers in microbiology vol. 10 1124. 4 Jun. 2019, doi:10.3389/fmicb.2019.01124