Just wondering your thoughts on this - I have been taking culturelle for about 5 years now. I used to get yeast infections fairly frequently and haven't had one since I've been on the probiotics. Also, unlike most people I read about on this website, I like going to the bathroom a lot and clearing out my pouch. I haven't had pouchitis and think that maybe all the water I drink and the probiotic might be why.

Anyway, I am 18 weeks pregnant and still taking the probiotic. My doctor didn't think it's a big deal to stay on it. One of the things I was hoping/wondering is, if UC has anything to do with bacteria and either having not enough good bacteria or too much bad bacteria, could I be helping the baby at all by having good bacteria in my belly while she's growing?
Have you heard/read anything about taking probiotics while pregnant?
Thanks, Allison

Hi Allison,

I don't see any reason that you couldn't or shouldn't continue to take the probiotics while you are pregnant. Not sure if it would be of any benefit to the baby or not but from what I have read about probitics and children they can't hurt.

Hope you have a wonderful pregnancy and enjoy every minute of it.

Hiya,
I'd definitely stay on the probiotics. Can't see any good reason to stop taking them. Best of luck with your pregnancy!

My friend with Crohn's has two sons (ages 5 and 10) that also have Crohn's. They see an excellent pediatric GI. She asked him what he thought of probiotics when I was pregnant (for me) and he recommended it during the pregnancy and especially during breastfeeding. I never got the philosophy behind it, but since the research for probiotics has been so promising for IBD, I would think it would be a good idea, too. Good luck to you!

From everything I have read, probiotics are not harmful to take while pregnant. There have even been some studies that show the babies from women who were taking probiotics while pregnant had fewer cases of allergies and eczema (and these mothers were prone to allergies and eczema already). The idea behind it, I believe, is that the good bacteria help to increase your immune system, and consequently, the baby's immune system. In this one study, I believe even the babies were given a baby amount of probiotics for their first few months also.

My GI specialist and ob doctor told me that it is safe to take probiotics while pregnant. I am currently 12 weeks along and have had a difficult time with vomiting and weight loss. I hope you are doing well.