Can You Take Probiotics And Prenatal Vitamins Together?

Most women worry about what they take before and during pregnancy. And one common question they ask is, “can you take probiotics and prenatal vitamins together?” That shows concern in boosting fertility, conception, and safe gestation.

You can take probiotics and prenatal vitamins together, and there’s no harm in doing so. If pregnant, you don’t have to worry about if they affect gestation since they don’t affect your fetus.

Besides, it would help if you had a good supply of vitamins and minerals for a much healthier newborn.

This article explains if taking the two together is a good idea or not.

What Are Probiotics And Prenatal Vitamins?

Probiotics are the live microorganisms found in food as beneficial bacteria. They offer many benefits. These include improving your heart’s health, helping in digestion, and reducing depression. 

They also help improve the look of your skin, making it smooth and beautiful.

Probiotics exist in most foods, both fresh and fermented as supplements. And while they play a part in giving these foods their unique flavors, they also help keep you healthy. 

Prenatal vitamins are for pregnant women and help them maintain healthy pregnancies. You can take them during pregnancy or before you prepare to get pregnant.

If you are breastfeeding, make sure you read my article: Can you take probiotics while breastfeeding.

What Are The Nutritional Needs During Pregnancy?

During pregnancy, your body undergoes many changes. Your body needs to prepare for pregnancy, so you must know when you want to get pregnant. 

During the first stages of pregnancy, your baby starts developing faster. That means your body should be able to offer the support needed to keep them healthy. So, take a lot of prenatal vitamins and probiotics to stay ready.

Do You Need Probiotics if You’re Already on Prenatal Vitamins?

Doctors usually recommend taking prenatal vitamins during pregnancy. These supplements help your baby grow better and healthier, at the same time, keep you in good shape. Yet, do you need to take probiotics in the first place?

Taking probiotics when not pregnant is necessary, given the many benefits. But, it would help if you still had them when pregnant for easier gestation. Here’s why you need probiotics when pregnant.

To Keep Your Body Defenses Stronger

Probiotics provide important minerals, including iron and calcium. They also add some bacteria for a stronger immune system. So, it would help if you continued taking small amounts of probiotics even after getting pregnant. 

Various probiotics have different effects. But some specific ones help improve your gut health. These include some bacteria species, which probiotics help in regulating. 

Regulating the number of bacteria present in your gut improves digestion. It also helps reduce bloating and constipation.

If your immunity is strong enough, you’ll protect your baby from illnesses, even after birth. 

For Healthier Breast Milk

Remember, pregnancy doesn’t end at birth but continues in a post-pregnancy phase. So, you need a healthier milk supply as you feed your baby.

Taking probiotics together with prenatal vitamins helps you prepare to breastfeed. That ensures that you have healthier milk to help build their young body defenses. 

Taking probiotics before and during your pregnancy balances your gut microorganisms. That helps make healthier milk for your baby.

Creates Balance in Your Gut

The gut contains many microorganisms that can increase in numbers during pregnancy. So, taking probiotics helps you keep them in check. It improves your digestion and balances serotonin production. 

That helps you stay out of depression and maintain a better mood during pregnancy.

Besides, balanced microbe levels in your gut help prevent increased glucose and body fat. Although that’s necessary to increase the food supply to your fetus, too much of it can put you at risk.

What Supplements are Good for You Before and after Pregnancy?

You need a good supply of vitamins and minerals to help you through your pregnancy. That should add to the basic nutrients your body needs. And while most vitamins are good during pregnancy, you still need to avoid some.

You need to be aware of what you need to eat during pregnancy. Usually, your health provider should recommend the right supplements and amounts to take. And that includes prenatal vitamins and probiotics.

Here are other best supplements to take during your pregnancy

• Vitamin D

Vitamin D is important for you and your baby. It usually prevents many illnesses and conditions related to pregnancy. And that includes immature birth, gestational diabetes, and preeclampsia.

• Folate

Folate helps produce red blood cells, and promotes the growth of your fetus. They also create your unborn child’s DNA. They have no negative effects on you and your fetus and are safe to take.

• Iron

During pregnancy, your body produces too much blood, so you need a good supply of iron. It helps transport oxygen to your fetus. That, in turn, enables your unborn baby’s growth and development.

You should avoid some supplements and foods as you take probiotics and prenatal vitamins. These include vitamin A and E and other herbs and foods. Avoid goldenseal, black cohosh, Yohimbe, and red clover.

How Many Months Before Pregnancy Should You Take Prenatal Vitamins?

It would help if you started taking your prenatal vitamins three months before getting pregnant. That means you need to be aware that the pregnancy doesn’t come when you least expect it.

But don’t forget to add other nutrients to your diet, and be sure to include some protein and carbohydrates. 

You can also continue taking prenatal vitamins even after getting pregnant. But, ensure that you take the doses your doctor tells you to avoid excess amounts. 

Conclusion

A healthier pregnancy is what every mother wants. And a healthy newborn baby is a joy to have. Thus, it’s good to be careful with what you eat since it affects their development.

Taking prenatal vitamins cannot be enough to meet all your baby’s nutritional needs. Thus, it’s good to add some probiotics to your diet during pregnancy. 

There’s no harm in taking prenatal vitamins and probiotics together. Instead, doctors suggest taking both for a healthier baby and a good pregnancy period. That can benefit you and your newborn during pregnancy and even after birth.