Best Probiotics For Pregnancy Of 2020

Being a mom isn’t something that begins when your baby is born. You have to start thinking of your little one as soon as you find out you’re pregnant.

You need to prepare and adapt yourself and your body for a baby. To do this, you will need to consider taking certain supplements. This time, we’re helping you choose the best probiotics.

Once you’re pregnant, the fun doesn’t end, but you are no longer responsible just for yourself. That’s why you need to start thinking about your habits. Control your diet, physical exercise, and supplement intake.

One of the things you will want to consider is taking probiotics. It will help you to experience as little stomach issues as possible and improve your baby’s overall health significantly.

How And What Do Probiotics Do?

Researchers are still investigating exactly how probiotics work. The main theory is that since the bad bacteria attacks our bodies, the good bacteria will attack the bad.

This might be an oversimplification, but that’s it. They can reduce the bad bacteria in your body, which in turn means that you’ll be at less risk of certain infections and similar health problems.

Why Do I Need Probiotics During Pregnancy?

Probiotics will help your digestive system work more efficiently, and lessen the number of bad bacteria in your body.

Probiotics can help with antibiotic-related diarrhea, infection diarrhea, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, eczema, reduced pediatric atopic dermatitis, and bacterial vaginosis.

But, all of that is not why you need to take probiotics during your pregnancy.

You see, your baby will culture beneficial gut bacteria from what it receives from you during passing through the birth canal, and from nursing in the following months.

So, if you take good probiotics, they will ensure that your baby gets a great dose of good bacteria during the delivery. This is incredibly significant because it will decrease your baby’s risk of ear infection and illness in the first few years.

Good gut health is something that we get from our mothers, so it’s one of the best things that you can give to your baby.

Since your baby’s gut bacteria will continue developing during the nursing period, it’s best to take probiotics in the first months of nursing too.

Next to that, probiotics will do a lot for you during your pregnancy. They will help you to avoid illness, constipation, heartburn, morning sickness, bloating, cramping, gas, preeclampsia, and decrease the risk of Group B streptococcus.

Is It Safe To Use Them?

According to several studies by prominent institutions like the National Institute of Health, it’s perfectly safe. According to researchers, there have been no associations of probiotic use to miscarriages and malformations.

Also, Canadian researchers found that probiotic use can’t be linked to the birth weight, gestational age or the incidence of Caesarian section.

But, if you have a condition or an illness that affects your immune system, talk to your doctor before taking these pills. Also, pay attention to the recommended daily dosage, and don’t go over it, and you’ll be perfectly safe.

How To Choose The Ones That Are The Best For You?

Since there are dozens of probiotics out there, you need to look for certain features that are common for the best ones.

1. Easy to swallow

Most pregnant women have morning sickness. It’s easily the least pleasant thing about being pregnant. That’s why you need to look for a probiotic that won’t trigger that nausea with a bad smell, or unpleasant taste. Also, larger pills can be trapped in your throat, and make you throw up, too. Pay close attention to directions – some pills are meant to be taken on an empty stomach, while you need to take others with food.

2. Hypoallergenic

It doesn’t matter if you’re a health-conscious mom to be, or you have a baby that is sensitive, you might want to consider taking hypoallergenic probiotics. Always pay attention to the ingredients of what you’re taking while you’re pregnant. There are certain things that you don’t mind, but that isn’t particularly good for the little one growing in your stomach.

If you’re a vegetarian, pay attention to gelatin additives that are common in gummy probiotics.

Just read the ingredient list, and pay attention to statements like gluten free, kosher, GMO-free, sugar-free, maltodextrin free, dairy and soy free, etc.

3. Time-released

These are a lot more potent than other kinds. This variety of probiotics works throughout the day to improve your immune system and general health. If you’re looking for an option that you can take once per day and then forget about, these are perfect. On the other side, if your stomach is a bit weaker, you should probably skip this probiotic.

4. Shelf stable

Many probiotics out there need to be refrigerated, or they won’t work as well. If you’re a busy mom-to-be, this might be a nuisance. Luckily, there are probiotic formulas that are shelf stable. They work better, and they won’t get lost in your stuffed fridge.

5. Doctor approved

When you’re pregnant, it’s best to check any probiotic you’re considering with your obstetrician or doctor. They will know exactly what you’re sensitive to and tell you which probiotic strains to avoid. Also, they will know what’s the proper amount of CFUs for your needs.

CFU is a colony-forming unit, a unit that is used to estimate the number of viable bacteria. For instance, an adult should take between 1 and 10 billion CFU per day.

5 Best Probiotics For Pregnancy On The Market 

Pink Stork Pro: Pregnancy Probiotic

This prenatal probiotic was made specifically for pregnant women. Pink Stork Pro is created to support optimal gut health and beneficial bacteria production. It delivers 8 billion CFUs to your digestive tract.

These pills will reduce nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, and inhibit the development of harmful bacteria. These pills also relieve diarrhea, constipation, yeast, heartburn, and indigestion.

You take two of these in the morning, on an empty stomach. These are time released so that you will get the benefits throughout the day. If your sickness, digestive issues or constipation is intense, you need to take 4 capsules during the day.

These are pretty thin and small, so they’re easy to swallow. Dairy free, and shelf stable, these pills seem to have it all. What we especially like here, is that this manufacturer is offering a so-called happiness guarantee – if you’re not happy with the purchase, they will give you your money back.

PROS

• checkInhibits bacteria like H.Pylori, known to cause nausea
• checkPrevents constipation
• checkTime released

CONS

• exclamation-triangleYou have to take it on an empty stomach, so you need to pay attention to your schedule
• exclamation-triangleIt works better if taken before you get the symptoms
• exclamation-triangleContains starch and gelatin

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Probiotics For Pregnant & Breastfeeding Women – Mother’s Select

Gluten-free, maltodextrin free, GMO, dairy, and soy free, this probiotic is great for mothers-to-be. It helps with heartburn, cramping, diarrhea, bloating, gas and constipation, while promoting a healthy GI tract.

Next to that, this product should strengthen both your and your baby’s digestive tracts. It alleviates infections and allergies while boosting the beneficial bacteria in your gut. Mother’s Select is a powerful formula of 9 probiotic strains that provides 10 billion CFU.

It’s meant for both moms-to-be, and mothers who are breastfeeding. This formula is hypoallergenic and easy to swallow, so there are two things less to worry about. You don’t have to keep it in a fridge, but you do have to take it with a meal. One capsule a day is enough for your needs, but it might be too powerful for sensitive moms. 

PROS

• check10 billion CFUs
• checkVegetarian product
• checkNo aftertaste

CONS

• exclamation-triangleYou have to take it with food, or you might experience heartburn
• exclamation-triangleHas a potential to increase milk production
• exclamation-triangleMight make your baby gassy if taken while breastfeeding

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PRO-Moms: Prenatal Probiotics for Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women

These time-release tablets are vegetarian, lactose, and gluten-free. Unfortunately, they aren’t completely allergy free, as they might contain milk protein casein.

These pills will promote a healthy immune system – both yours and your baby’s. Unlike many other probiotic supplements, this one is completely natural. These tablets will help with constipation, cramps, gassiness, and nutrient absorption.

They contain 6 different probiotic strains and have 5 billion CFUs. You can take them up to three times per day. Pro-Moms has a long shelf life, so you don’t have to put them in the fridge.

PRO-Moms claims to help with maintaining healthy glucose levels, shedding baby weight faster, and a healthy GI tract. According to the manufacturer, this formula is better absorbed than other similar supplements. They claim that 15% more healthy flora is delivered to your gut with these tablets than with other similar products. 

PROS

• checkImprove nutrient absorption
• checkCompletely vegetarian
• checkTime-released formula

CONS

• exclamation-triangleNot coated, so they can leave a bad taste and cause nausea
• exclamation-triangleNot lactose-free – traces of casein
• exclamation-triangleCan cause headaches

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New Chapter Perfect Prenatal Vitamins Fermented with Probiotics

Some women hate taking a million pills during the day, so this combination of probiotics, whole foods, folate, iron, vitamin D3, and B vitamins is perfect if you are one of them.

This formula should support a healthy pregnancy and a healthy GI tract. This 100% edible product is gentle even when taken on an empty stomach. They contain no sugar, no artificial flavors, or colors. Recommended daily intake is three tablets per day, but they don’t cause nausea, so it’s a lot easier to take them.

In them, you will get your daily iron intake that will boost red blood cell production. B vitamins are there for a natural energy boost, while vitamins C, A, and zinc are there as immune system boosters. Completely non-GMO, kosher, vegetarian, gluten-free, sugar-free, gelatin free, and organic. 

PROS

• checkOrganic vegetables and fruits make a non-GMO probiotic
• checkHypoallergenic
• checkComplete necessary daily iron, vitamin, and zinc intake in one tablet

CONS

• exclamation-triangleYou need to take them three times per day
• exclamation-triangleIf you don’t drink a lot of water, these can cause constipation
• exclamation-triangleNot as effective as some probiotics on this list

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PRENATAL MULTIVITAMIN | 60 One a Day Vegetarian Pills

This product is designed with your and your baby’s wellbeing in mind. Prenatal multivitamin contains 10 strains of probiotics, but it’s rather gentle so that you can take it on an empty stomach.

Each pill delivers 5 billion CFUs that will reduce the chance of nausea and constipation, boost digestion, immune system, and your metabolism. You only need to take one pill a day.

We love that this formula contains folic acid, folate, and choline. These ingredients are there to help the development of your baby’s brain.

The nutrients in this multivitamin are coming from organic fruits and veggies like kale, spinach, goji berries, and beetroot. Another thing we like – with this pill, you take care of most of your daily needs for probiotics, minerals, and vitamins.

PROS

• checkYou can take it on an empty stomach
• checkOver 20 essential minerals and vitamins in one pill
• checkOne per day

CONS

• exclamation-triangleLarge pills are a bit hard to swallow
• exclamation-triangleTheir smell might trigger nausea
• exclamation-triangleCan cause dry mouth

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Conclusion

It’s always hard to declare a clear winner in these cases. If you’re looking for a shelf stable probiotic, then Pink Stork Pro: Pregnancy Probiotic is the one you should seriously consider.

When time-release is the option you want, Mother’s Select is a probiotic that might suit your needs. If you want something with additional benefits, something like PRO-Moms is worth taking into consideration.

Easy to swallow, and tasty options are rather rare, so if that’s what you want, look into New Chapter Perfect Prenatal Vitamins Fermented with Probiotics. Finally, if you want a good probiotic/vitamin combo, PRENATAL MULTIVITAMIN might be your cup of tea.

In the end, it all depends on your preferences, your immune system, overall health, and sensitivity. Weigh your options, check them with your physician, and take what you deem is best for you and your baby.