Can You Take Probiotics While Pregnant?

You have trillions of organisms living in your body. Your microbiome includes bacteria and fungi that play an important role in your health. Pregnancy can change your gut microbiome. These changes can take a toll on your gut health during pregnancy. 

Many people turn to probiotics to keep their microbiome healthy. But are probiotics safe to use if you’re pregnant? Let’s take a closer look at the benefits and possible safety concerns. 

What are probiotics?

Probiotics are living microorganisms, like bacteria and yeast. Ingesting probiotics may help balance your gut microbiome. Some foods naturally contain probiotics. But probiotics can also be added to foods and drinks. They’re also available as supplements. 

How do probiotics work?

Your gut is full of different types of organisms — including bacteria and fungi. Ingested probiotics travel to your gut and join your microbiome. They may change the balance of organisms that live there. The hope is that they help “good bacteria” flourish and keep “bad bacteria” at bay. This promotes a balanced, healthy microbiome. 

A healthy microbiome supports your immune system and keeps your gut healthy. It may also affect your mood, sleep, and metabolic health. 

Is it safe to take probiotics while I’m pregnant?

It’s probably safe to take a probiotic supplement or eat probiotics while you’re pregnant. There isn’t enough data to say that they’re completely safe. But research suggests that probiotics rarely pass from your gut into your bloodstream. So it’s unlikely that probiotics will cause any serious side effects or harm to you or your developing baby.

Studies show that probiotic use during pregnancy doesn’t cause significant side effects. And there hasn’t been a link with miscarriages or birth defects either.

But experts recommend that some people with a weakened immune system avoid probiotics. Your immune system is naturally weaker during pregnancy. So it may not be safe to take a probiotic during pregnancy if you already have a medical condition that affects your immune system or you take medications that lower your immune system. 

You should talk with your healthcare team before starting any supplements during pregnancy, including probiotics. They can make sure it’s safe for you to take probiotics and help you find the safest choice. 

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• Heartburn is common during pregnancy: Learn which antacids are considered safe during pregnancy and when it’s wise to avoid them.

• Colds and pregnancy: Discover which over‑the‑counter cold medications tend to be safer in pregnancy, and which ones to avoid.

• Can you take Tylenol while you’re pregnant? Our experts review the research behind Tylenol use during pregnancy.

How effective are probiotics during pregnancy?

The gut microbiome changes during pregnancy, likely because of changes in hormone levels. These changes may worsen common pregnancy symptoms like:

• Nausea

• Constipation

• Bloating 

There’s even some evidence that your gut microbiome may impact your baby’s future health. But do probiotics help with any of these things? Let’s take a look at the research. 

Pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting

There’s minimal research on whether probiotic use helps ease pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting. A small study found that taking a daily probiotic supplement eased nausea, vomiting, and constipation. But this study only included 32 people, and they only took probiotics for 16 days. It’s unclear if most people would get similar results while taking probiotics.

Preventing preterm labor

Your gut and vaginal microbiomes are related. A healthy vaginal microbiome is important for a healthy pregnancy. Imbalances in the vaginal microbiome may increase the risk of vaginal infections, like bacterial vaginosis or aerobic vaginitis. These vaginal infections can increase the risk of early delivery (preterm labor).

But while probiotics may help balance the vaginal microbiome, it’s not clear whether they will lower the risk of preterm labor related to vaginal infections. 

One analysis of over 4,000 pregnant participants found that taking probiotics didn’t lower the risk of preterm labor. But on a positive note, they also found that taking probiotics didn’t increase the risk of preterm labor either. 

Preventing GBS colonization

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a bacteria that can live permanently (colonize) in the digestive tract and vagina. GBS colonization during pregnancy increases a newborn’s risk of developing life-threatening infections in the days after birth. That’s why experts recommend GBS testing in the final weeks of pregnancy and then antibiotic treatment during delivery.

Studies have looked at whether probiotic supplements during pregnancy prevent GBS colonization. One study found that probiotics may prevent or treat GBS colonization. But other studies found that probiotics don’t prevent or treat vaginal GBS colonization. So, if you’re colonized with GBS, probiotics won’t be enough. You’ll still need antibiotic treatment during delivery. 

Eczema prevention

Eczema is a chronic skin condition that can cause itchiness and skin inflammation. It affects 1 in 4 children. Most children develop eczema as babies. It’s still not clear what causes eczema. But studies show that people with eczema may have different gut bacteria than people without eczema. 

Researchers have studied whether probiotic use during pregnancy can prevent childhood eczema. One randomized control trial found that people who took a probiotic during pregnancy were less likely to have babies who developed eczema as infants or toddlers. 

Another analysis of seven studies found similar results. But the benefits were more clear when the infant was more likely to develop eczema. This included situations where there was one or more family member with eczema or other allergic illnesses, like asthma. 

With this type of data in mind, experts recommend taking probiotics during pregnancy if your baby is likely to develop an allergic illness, like eczema. 

What precautions should you take when using probiotics during pregnancy?

It’s important to choose safe products during pregnancy. And probiotics are no exception. Here are some things to keep in mind.

Check for safety testing

Probiotics are considered dietary supplements, so they don’t require FDA approval. That means they aren’t subjected to rigorous safety standards. 

Also, manufacturers aren’t required to prove their product delivers on certain health claims. That’s why it’s important to choose a reliable manufacturer. Reliable manufacturers will voluntarily submit their products for safety testing. Often, they label their products as meeting certain standards set by independent safety reviewers. You can also learn more about manufacturers’ safety standards on their website.

Check product details

It’s also a good idea to check what your probiotic contains. Since probiotics aren’t regulated by the FDA, they aren’t required to contain a specific amount of an active ingredient. Manufacturers can use different types and amounts of microorganisms in their products. And these ingredients can be different from what scientific researchers use in their tests on probiotics’ benefits. So, you may not get the same health benefits shown in studies if your product contains different microorganisms or different amounts of them. 

Talk with your healthcare team

Probiotics may not be safe if you:

• Have a weakened immune system

• Have certain medical conditions

• Take certain medications 

It’s always best to check with your healthcare team before starting any supplements to make sure they’re safe for you. 

Which probiotic is best while I’m pregnant?

There’s no research showing that one probiotic is “best” during pregnancy. Studies on probiotics during pregnancy usually include specific microorganisms including Lactobacillus, Streptococcus, and Bifidobacterium. But the effectiveness and safety of one probiotic product doesn’t mean that another product is just as safe or effective.

It’s possible that the best probiotic for you depends on what you’re trying to accomplish. For example, one probiotic may be better for minimizing nausea, while another could help prevent vaginal infections. 

If you’re interested in taking a probiotic while pregnant, talk to your healthcare team about which one may be best for you.

Can I take probiotics while breastfeeding?

Experts note that probiotics are likely safe to take while nursing. 

Human breast milk naturally contains a variety of bacteria that are good for your infant’s gut. It’s part of the reason that breast milk is so good for babies. 

Probiotics are also added to infant formulas. Infant formulas are regulated by the FDA, and all components must pass strict quality and safety standards. This indicates that probiotics are safe for most babies to take. 

Frequently asked questions

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine.

Reviewed by:

Adriena Beatty D.O., MBA, CPE

Adriena Beatty, DO, MBA, CPE, is an Army veteran and board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist with over 20 years of experience. She is a graduate from Tuskegee University with a degree in chemical engineering and chemistry.

Our editorial standards

Meet our experts