Probiotics During Pregnancy May Reduce Preeclampsia & Preterm Birth

A study on maternal consumption of probiotics found there could be significant health benefits by reducing rates of preeclampsia and preterm birth.

Researchers studied over 70,000 pregnancies between 1999 and 2008, comparing those mothers consuming probiotics (as a probiotic milk) to determine whether there was a significant association with preeclampsia and preterm birth. They concluded, "Intake of probiotic milk during late pregnancy was associated with decreased risk of preeclampsia, and intake during early pregnancy was associated with decreased risk of preterm delivery."

How Can Probiotics Contribute to a Healthier Pregnancy?

The researchers theorized that the positive results may be due to an anti-inflammatory benefit from the consumption of probiotics. An exaggerated inflammatory response is suspected to play a role in both preeclampsia and preterm birth, so it is possible that probiotics could reduce a mother's inflammatory response to a healthier level.

We generally recommend including fermented foods or probiotic supplements as part of a healthy diet. Fermented foods include things like sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha, kefir, vinegar, yogurt, and cheeses. However, if the food has been pasteurized (which kills all microbes), probiotics would have to be added back in to get a similar benefit. Click here for more information on fermented foods and probiotics. There is low risk of any issues with probiotic consumption, so including these in the diet during pregnancy is certainly worth trying.

---