Is it safe to have probiotics when pregnant? Practical tips

Preeti Prangya Panda
Sep 3
6 min read

Pregnancy is an exciting time, but it can also come with lots of questions, especially about what’s safe to eat or take. One common question is:

Can a pregnant woman take probiotics?

Let’s break this down in simple terms, so you can feel confident making the best choice for you and your baby.

What Are Probiotics?

Probiotics are helpful microorganisms, such as Lactobacillus, that live in your body, maintaining a healthy life for you. The presence of these microbes in sufficient amounts maintains gut health.

These non-pathogenic microbes promote health by competing with pathogens, strengthening the gut barrier, modulating immunity, and even producing neurotransmitters.

Probiotics are consumed through fermented foods or supplements, with an effective dose around 10⁹ CFU per day, and are widely incorporated into products like yogurt, bread, and beverages to enhance nutritional and functional benefits [1].

These are found in:

Foods — like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, and some cheeses.
Dietary supplements — pills, powders, or capsules you can buy over the counter.

Are probiotics safe in pregnancy?

Probiotics are generally safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. However, it might have some mild effects, like temporary loose motions. Here are some of the case studies that prove that probiotics do not harm the fetus:

A 2009 meta-analysis of RCTs involving Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Saccharomyces strains (11 studies) found no increased risk of miscarriage, congenital malformations, cesarean delivery, or birth weight changes in pregnant users [2].
A systematic review looked at whether taking probiotics during pregnancy changes the chances of having a premature baby or other problems. After reviewing 27 studies, the scientists found that probiotics did not increase or decrease the likelihood of early birth or most other pregnancy issues [3].

What do probiotics do for a pregnant woman?

Reduces Infant Eczema & Allergies
Taking probiotics in pregnancy reduces the risk of skin diseases and allergies in the fetus. For instance, a systematic analysis of 18 studies involving 4,356 pregnant women found that taking probiotics significantly reduced the risk of babies developing eczema and atopic eczema, as well as lowered the risks of death and necrotizing enterocolitis [4].
Benefits for Birth Outcomes
Probiotics also slightly increased gestational age but did not affect birth weight [2],[4].
Metabolic & Infection-Related Outcomes
Probiotics help reduce metabolic disorders in pregnant women. A review of seven studies found that taking probiotics during pregnancy may lower maternal blood sugar, reduce the risk of gestational diabetes and pre-eclampsia, and decrease inflammation. However, more research is needed to confirm these benefits, especially in women at high risk of metabolic problems [5].
Improves neurological effects
A study in mice found that giving pregnant mothers probiotics prevented autism-like behaviors in their offspring caused by maternal immune activation (MIA). The probiotics reduced inflammation-related chemicals (IL-6 and IL-17a), protected brain cells, and improved brain chemistry, suggesting probiotics during pregnancy could lower the risk of autism linked to maternal infections [6].
Acts as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory substance
Pregnancy causes increased inflammation and oxidative stress due to higher oxygen needs. Studies show that eating probiotic yogurt can provide antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits for both mothers and babies [7].

What are the side effects of probiotics during pregnancy?

Some of the side effects of taking probiotic supplements during pregnancy are:

Mild side effects like vaginal discharge and changes in stool consistency during the third trimester of pregnancy; these effects are not considered serious for the mother or baby [8].
Short-term gastrointestinal symptoms, such as gas and bloating, are also common in pregnancy [9].
It may also cause skin complications like rashes and itching [9].
Probiotic supplements may also cause inflammation of breast tissue (mastitis) sometimes. However, this can be prevented by taking natural probiotics rather than supplements. For instance, this study showed that pregnant women who took the probiotic Lactobacillus salivarius PS2 (a bacteria found in the gastrointestinal tract of humans) were much less likely to get breast infections after giving birth (25% got mastitis) compared to those who took a fake pill with no active ingredient (57% got mastitis). The probiotic also lowered the amount of harmful bacteria in breast milk when infections did happen, suggesting it helps prevent mastitis [10].

FAQs

Are high-level probiotics safe in pregnancy?

It is always important to consult a doctor before you consume probiotics. However, natural probiotics in pregnancy are safer than supplements. High-dose supplements may cause loose motions and vaginal discharge.

Do probiotics affect the fetus?

Research shows that when taken during pregnancy, probiotics are generally safe for both mother and fetus, with no serious risks reported in systematic reviews and clinical trial. While maternal probiotic use doesn’t significantly affect risks like preterm birth or gestational diabetes, it may help support vaginal health, reduce inflammation, and positively influence fetal immune and brain development.

Is probiotic yogurt safe for pregnancy?

Yes, probiotic yogurt is generally safe to eat during pregnancy for most women. It can support digestion and gut health, but if you have a medical condition or a weakened immune system. However, it is advisable to talk to your doctor before consuming it regularly.

Is curd or yogurt better for pregnancy?

When comparing curd and yogurt during pregnancy, both are nutrient-rich fermented dairy products offering beneficial probiotics, protein, calcium, and vitamins that support maternal and fetal health. However, yogurt, especially commercially prepared probiotic yogurt with standardized live cultures, has stronger clinical evidence—such as reducing inflammation, supporting insulin regulation, and lowering the risk of gestational diabetes—making it a slightly better choice [11].

What type of yogurt is good for pregnancy?

Plain, pasteurized yogurt with live active cultures, such as probiotic Greek yogurt, is a good choice during pregnancy because it provides protein, calcium, and healthy bacteria. Avoid unpasteurized or raw milk yogurts, as they can carry harmful bacteria [12],[13].

Conclusion

Probiotics during pregnancy are considered safe, with strong evidence showing no serious risks and only mild digestive side effects. They can help reduce infant eczema, slightly improve pregnancy length and metabolic health, and lower the risk of certain newborn conditions, especially when using specific Lactobacillus strains.

Note: Always take care of the proportion of probiotics you take. Make sure to consult your doctor if any adverse condition arises while consuming supplements.

References

1. Latif A, Shehzad A, Niazi S, Zahid A, Ashraf W, Iqbal MW, et al. Probiotics: mechanism of action, health benefits and their application in food industries. Front Microbiol [Internet]. 2023 [cited 2025 Jul 15]; 14:1216674. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10470842/.

2. Dugoua J-J, Machado M, Zhu X, Chen X, Koren G, Einarson TR. Probiotic safety in pregnancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Saccharomyces spp. J Obstet Gynaecol Can. 2009; 31(6):542–52.

3. Jarde A, Lewis-Mikhael A-M, Moayyedi P, Stearns JC, Collins SM, Beyene J, et al. Pregnancy outcomes in women taking probiotics or prebiotics: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2025 Jul 15]; 18:14. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5759212/.

4. Kuang L, Jiang Y. Effect of probiotic supplementation in pregnant women: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Br J Nutr. 2020; 123(8):870–80.

5. Lindsay KL, Walsh CA, Brennan L, McAuliffe FM. Probiotics in pregnancy and maternal outcomes: a systematic review. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2013; 26(8):772–8.

6. Wang X, Yang J, Zhang H, Yu J, Yao Z. Oral probiotic administration during pregnancy prevents autism-related behaviors in offspring induced by maternal immune activation via anti-inflammation in mice. Autism Res. 2019; 12(4):576–88.

7. He A, Chin J, Lomiguen CM. Benefits of Probiotic Yogurt Consumption on Maternal Health and Pregnancy Outcomes: A Systematic Review. Cureus [Internet]. [cited 2025 Jul 15]; 12(7):e9408. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7449615/.

8. Sheyholislami H, Connor KL. Are Probiotics and Prebiotics Safe for Use during Pregnancy and Lactation? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrients [Internet]. 2021 [cited 2025 Jul 15]; 13(7):2382. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8308823/.

9. Obuchowska A, Gorczyca K, Standyło A, Obuchowska K, Kimber-Trojnar Ż, Wierzchowska-Opoka M, et al. Effects of Probiotic Supplementation during Pregnancy on the Future Maternal Risk of Metabolic Syndrome. Int J Mol Sci [Internet]. 2022 [cited 2025 Jul 15]; 23(15):8253. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9330652/.

10. Yu Q, Xu C, Wang M, Zhu J, Yu L, Yang Z, et al. The preventive and therapeutic effects of probiotics on mastitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One [Internet]. 2022 [cited 2025 Jul 15]; 17(9):e0274467. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9462749/.

11. Asemi Z, Samimi M, Tabassi Z, Naghibi Rad M, Rahimi Foroushani A, Khorammian H, et al. Effect of daily consumption of probiotic yoghurt on insulin resistance in pregnant women: a randomized controlled trial. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2013; 67(1):71–4.

12. Hadjimbei E, Botsaris G, Chrysostomou S. Beneficial Effects of Yoghurts and Probiotic Fermented Milks and Their Functional Food Potential. Foods [Internet]. 2022 [cited 2025 Jul 15]; 11(17):2691. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9455928/.

13. Asemi Z, Jazayeri S, Najafi M, Samimi M, Mofid V, Shidfar F, et al. Effects of daily consumption of probiotic yoghurt on inflammatory factors in pregnant women: a randomized controlled trial. Pak J Biol Sci. 2011; 14(8):476–82.

Assessed and Endorsed by the MedReport Medical Review Board