Probiotic Acidophilus & Preterm Labor

Probiotics are common dietary supplements that can have a positive impact on your digestive health. Because of changes that take place in your body during pregnancy, you may benefit from probiotic supplements while you're expecting. They are not associated with preterm labor, but talk to your doctor before using them to be safe.

Probiotics

According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, probiotics help to improve digestive function and promote regularity. They also help prevent bacterial infections in the vagina, because acidophilus helps to maintain normal vaginal pH. You can get probiotic bacteria by taking supplements, or can eat fermented dairy products like yogurt; these are natural sources of the bacteria. Of the many different probiotic bacteria, Lactobacillus acidophilus is one common example.

Probiotics In Pregnancy

During pregnancy, your body changes in many ways. Your digestive tract slows down, which helps you to absorb all the nutrients from your food into your bloodstream, which aids the growth and development of the fetus. However, your slow digestive tract can make you constipated and irregular. The pH of your vagina also changes, making you more prone to yeast infections. According to AmericanPregnancy.org, acidophilus can help prevent these uncomfortable symptoms.

Preterm Labor

Using probiotics is not associated with higher incidence of preterm labor, nor are there any scientific studies that suggest it will it help prevent preterm labor. In some cases, preterm labor results from a problem with your health or that of the fetus. For instance, Heidi Murkoff and Sharon Mazel explain in their book "What To Expect When You're Expecting" that too much or too little weight gain by the mother can cause preterm labor. In some cases, the reason for preterm labor can't be determined medically.

General Guidelines

If you're interested in supplementing your diet with probiotics during pregnancy, talk to your physician. Your obstetrician can help you determine which probiotics might benefit you, and which sources are safe. For instance, it is healthy to get acidophilus from yogurt made with pasteurized milk, but you need to avoid yogurts made with unpasteurized milk, since they pose a risk of bacterial infection by species other than acidophilus.