Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 3, 2026
10:36
Probiotic Studies in Neonatal Mice Using Gavage
Published on: January 27, 2019
Are probiotics safe for use during pregnancy and lactation?
Canadian Family Physician Medecin De Famille Canadien
|March 16, 2011
Summary
Probiotic use during pregnancy and lactation appears safe, with no increased adverse fetal outcomes reported in studies. Further research is needed for Saccharomyces species, but probiotics are unlikely to transfer to breast milk.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Perinatal Health
Background:
- Growing public and medical interest in probiotics for general health.
- Pregnant women frequently inquire about the safety of probiotics for conditions like bacterial vaginosis and diarrhea during pregnancy and lactation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the safety of probiotic supplementation for pregnant and lactating women.
- To address concerns regarding the use of probiotics for specific conditions during pregnancy.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing meta-analyses and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) focusing on probiotic use in late pregnancy.
- Analysis of data regarding systemic absorption and adverse fetal outcomes.
- Assessment of available literature on probiotic transfer into breast milk.
Main Results:
- Probiotic supplementation shows minimal systemic absorption in healthy individuals.
- Meta-analyses and RCTs in the third trimester of pregnancy did not reveal increased adverse fetal outcomes.
- No published studies specifically address the use of Saccharomyces species during pregnancy.
- Probiotics are unlikely to be transferred into breast milk.
Conclusions:
- Current evidence suggests probiotic supplementation is generally safe for pregnant and lactating women.
- While generally safe, specific probiotic strains like Saccharomyces require further investigation for use during pregnancy.
- The risk of probiotic transfer to breast milk appears to be low.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Probiotics
Probiotics are live, non-pathogenic microorganisms that confer health benefits by modulating the gut microbiota. The human gastrointestinal tract harbors a complex microbial ecosystem, and the balance of this microbiota is crucial for digestive and systemic health. Among the most extensively studied and utilized probiotics are species formerly classified within the genera Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. These organisms not only naturally colonize the human gut but are also consumed through...
01:21Microbiota Modulation by Antibiotics
Antibiotics have revolutionized modern medicine by saving countless lives from bacterial infections. However, their widespread use has inadvertently harmed the delicate balance of the human gut microbiota. The gut microbiota, a complex community of bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi, plays a vital role in regulating metabolism, immune responses, and maintaining intestinal health. Antibiotics, especially broad-spectrum types, disrupt this ecosystem by eradicating both harmful and beneficial...
01:30Development of Human Microbiota
The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from the skin...
01:28Development of the Oral Microbiota
The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...
01:21Drugs for Treatment of Constipation-Predominant IBS
Pharmacological therapies for IBS-C are designed to alleviate abdominal discomfort and enhance bowel function. In patients with IBS-C, fiber supplements may help soften stools and decrease straining, but may also lead to increased gas production and bloating. Osmotic laxatives like milk of magnesia are frequently used to soften stools and increase stool frequency in IBS-C patients. In addition, two drugs approved for use in severe IBS-C adult cases are linaclotide (Linzess) and lubiprostone...
01:27Microbes in the Production of Fermented Foods
Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and molds are instrumental in fermenting plant-based foods to enhance preservation and ensure year-round availability. These microbial processes convert plant carbohydrates into organic acids and other metabolites that inhibit spoilage organisms and contribute to the sensory qualities of the final product.In sauerkraut production, cabbage goes through a microbial succession that starts with cocci such as Leuconostoc mesenteroides. These microbes begin fermentation by...