Probiotics, often called "good" bacteria, can play an important role in supporting maternal health while pregnant.
However, pregnancy is a time when it’s especially important to monitor what you put in your body to ensure your safety and that of your baby. With so many options on the market, it can be difficult to determine which probiotic meets the best standards.
For this reason, we’ve meticulously compiled a list of our top five best probiotics for pregnancy. Each product meets our stringent requirements, featuring scientifically validated pregnancy-safe bacterial strains, and superior manufacturing standards from reputable brands.
Before starting a new supplement, we recommend talking with your doctor about if and when to start probiotic supplementation during your pregnancy.
Best probiotics for pregnancy: shortlist
- Mom Glo — overall best probiotics for pregnancy
- Ritual — best 3-in-one probiotic blend for pregnancy
- Culturelle — best digestive and vaginal health probiotic for pregnancy
- Solaray — best prenatal and postnatal probiotic
- Needed — best probiotic and prebiotic blend for mother and baby
- Best Nest Wellness — best gut-brain axis health probiotic for pregnancy
How we chose the best pregnancy probiotics
| Probiotic strain | Clean ingredients | Manufacturing practices | Brand reputation |
| Generally safe for pregnancy | No additives or artificial ingredients | GMP-certified, third-party testing | Known for quality and safe manufacturing practices |
- Probiotic strain. We prioritized strains that are generally safe for use during pregnancy.
- Clean ingredients. We looked for probiotics that didn’t include additives and artificial ingredients.
- Manufacturing practices. We chose brands manufactured under strict standards such as good manufacturing practices (GMP) and third-party testing validation.
- Brand reputation. We selected brands known for producing high-quality products with many positive customer reviews.
Prenatal probiotic product overview
Let’s dive into the product reviews.
To help you in your research of the best probiotics while pregnant, we give an overview of each product and let you know what stood out to us. We also include any negative customer feedback you may want to consider.
Lastly, we give you a bullet-point list of the pros and cons of each probiotic.
1. Mom Glo — top probiotics for pregnancy
Stay Balanced by Mom Glo has been crafted to support digestive and immune health, help replenish healthy bacteria, and aid in maintaining a healthy vaginal microbiome. The product contains 40 billion probiotics from 4 strains. Moreover, the formula also includes prebiotics that may foster the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut.
Ingredients used for this product are third-party tested by independent laboratories. Furthermore, Stay Balanced is manufactured within the U.S. in GMP-certified and FDA-registered facilities.
Mom Glo's official website proudly displays a rating of 4.8 stars out of 5 for this product. Although the users claim the supplement has a positive impact on their digestive and immune health, there are only 11 reviews currently, making it hard to fully understand the customer experience.
The brand recommends taking 2 capsules of this supplement once a day. One bottle contains 60 and costs $27.99.
2. Ritual — best 3-in-1 probiotic blend for pregnancy
Ritual’s Gut Health Synbiotic+ stood out to us as one of the best probiotics for pregnancy. It delivers a powerful 3-in-1 blend of prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics to help promote a healthy gut microbiome during pregnancy.
It offers 11 billion CFUs of two of the most clinically researched strains: Lactobacillus rhamnosus (LGG®) and Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis (BB-12®).
One aspect that stood out to us is the innovative delayed-release capsule technology that helps ensure the probiotic strains bypass the harsh acidic environment in the stomach and are transported to the colon.
You can have peace of mind knowing that each batch undergoes third-party testing, which underscores the product’s commitment to product quality and ensures compliance with strict regulatory standards.
Amazon customers rate Ritual’s Gut Health Synbiotic+ with 4.1 out of 5 stars. Several commented on how they enjoyed the subtle mint flavor, and many agreed that it improved their gut health. A few customers said they wished the price was slightly more reasonable.
Each bottle comes with a month’s supply of 30 capsules, costing $43.20.
3. Culturelle — best digestive and vaginal health probiotic for pregnancy
We knew we needed to include Culturelle’s Women’s Wellness Probiotic on our list of exceptional probiotics for pregnant women.
Its formula boasts five clinically studied probiotic strains, including Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, Lactobacillus crispatus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus gasseri, and Lactobacillus jensenii. The LGG strain is reported to be especially good at surviving stomach acid and reaching the intestines intact.
The manufacturer also claims that the probiotic is safe for pregnancy and may help enhance the digestive microbiome health as well as vaginal health — an important aspect during pregnancy.
We love that the probiotic is a once-daily delicious fruit-flavored chewable tablet. It’s also easy to store as it does not require refrigeration.
Culturelle is proud that their probiotics have been used in clinical studies since 1998. It's made with non-GMO ingredients and free of artificial dyes, dairy, wheat, yeast, and sugar.
Amazon customers rate this probiotic with 4.6 out of 5 stars. Most people agree that this probiotic helped improve their digestive health, while some opinions differ on the taste.
A month’s supply costs $23.99.
4. Solaray — best prenatal and postnatal probiotic
Solaray Mycrobiome Pre and Postnatal Probiotic caught our attention as an all-encompassing probiotic for new and expectant moms. It contains 24 clinically studied probiotics. The majority come from the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium genera.
The manufacturer claims they designed this probiotic to support pregnancy wellness and lactation as well as help assist with stress management, enhance mood, and improve digestion.
The innovative capsule design may help protect the probiotic during digestion, ensuring the bacteria get to your intestines where are they needed.
While this product does require refrigeration, the company recognizes the realities of online shopping and shipping and specifically developed the probiotic to withstand up to seven days out of the refrigerator under extreme heat while still providing the stated CFU count.
Amazon customers rate this probiotic with 4.7 out of 5 stars, and most of them agree that they love the effects this product has had on their health. Negative comments were limited and based on the refrigeration needs.
One bottle contains 30 capsules, enough for a one-month supply, and costs $23.04.
5. Needed — best probiotic and prebiotic blend for mother and baby
Needed’s Prenatal Pre/Probiotic stood out to us as a premium choice for mothers-to-be. The product offers a blend of 30 billion CFU per dose of spore-forming and non-spore-forming strains specifically chosen to help nourish the mother and infant’s microbiome.
The strains were specifically chosen with the aim of improving the mother’s gut and vaginal health, which potentially extending to skin health and breastmilk quality.
To create this product, Needed partnered with leading experts from Microbiome Labs along with naturopathic and functional medicine practitioners. They are proud to share that each batch undergoes third-party testing to meet the highest quality standards.
Amazon customers rate this probiotic with 4.5 out of 5 stars. Several commented that the probiotic was easy on their stomach and did not cause digestive side effects, and many customers raved about the clean, non-GMO ingredients. A couple of customers say the probiotic is not worth the money.
One bottle comes with a month’s supply of 30 servings and costs $59.99.
5. Best Nest Wellness — best gut-brain axis health probiotic for pregnancy
We love that the Best Nest Wellness Mama Bird Probiotic was created for motherhood by a neurologist mom, Dr. Mika Gupta.
She designed the probiotic with over 50 billion CFUs from 15 diverse strains to help enhance the health of the gut and support the communication in the gut-brain axis — an important connection during pregnancy.
It’s claimed by the brand that the probiotic may support the production of serotonin in the gut, a 'feel good' neurotransmitter that also plays a significant role in regulating gastrointestinal function, which may be helpful for expectant and new mothers.
The time-delayed, acid-resistant capsules guarantee that the probiotic reaches the lower gut where your body needs it.
Best Nest Wellness has strict quality standards and produces products in the U.S. in GMP-certified facilities. It also utilizes third-party testing to guarantee final product quality.
Amazon customers rate this product with 4.4 stars out of 5. Many of them love the small capsule size for ease of swallowing, and a common comment is that the probiotic helped reduce bloating during pregnancy. However, several customers complained that their bottles were empty when received in the mail.
One bottle contains 30 capsules, enough for a month's supply, and costs $32.
Comparing the top prenatal probiotics
| Probiotic brand | Bacterial strains | CFU | Monthly cost | Customer rating |
| Mom Glo | 3 Lactobacillus and 1 Bifidobacterium | 40 Billion | $27.99 | 4.8 stars |
| Ritual | 1 Lactobacillus and 1 Bifidobacterium | 11 Billion | $43.20 | 4.1 stars |
| Culturelle | 5 Lactobacillus strains | 12 Billion | $23.99 | 4.6 stars |
| Solaray | A blend of 24 strains | 25 Billion | $23.04 | 4.7 stars |
| Needed | A blend of 8 strains | 30 Billion | $59.99 | 4.5 stars |
| Best Nest Wellness | A blend of 15 Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains | 50 Billion | $32 | 4.4 stars |
Understanding your gut health during pregnancy
Every person has their own distinctive set of bacteria that makes up their microbiome. Your gut microbiome is rather like your own unique fingerprint.
During pregnancy, your microbiome diversity may decrease due to changes in your hormones, metabolism, and immune system function. This is due to resource shifts needed to support your growing baby.
Research shows, though, that if the balance of your gut bacteria is off, it may lead to problems in your pregnancy, such as high blood pressure (preeclampsia), restricted fetal growth, early delivery, and diabetes during pregnancy.
For these reasons, it’s a good idea to prioritize your gut health during pregnancy to support these natural microbiome changes.
Taking the probiotic foods or, in some cases, right probiotic supplements may help you maintain a balanced and healthy gut environment to support your well-being as well as your baby’s.
Given that your microbiome is in a relatively delicate state during pregnancy, it’s important to choose a probiotic that’s tailored for pregnancy and has been evaluated to be safe and effective.
Safe bacterial strains during pregnancy
Because probiotics on the market offer a wide range of bacterial strains, it’s best to choose a probiotic containing strains tested and shown to be safe during pregnancy.
Most studies have used probiotic supplements containing Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium genera.
The dosage of these beneficial bacteria in studies typically ranges between 1 billion to 100 billion colony-forming units (CFU) per capsule.
When selecting your probiotic, look for one that contains these strains, as research on other strains of bacteria has yet to be available.
Potential benefits of probiotics during pregnancy
While research is ongoing on the benefits of taking probiotics during pregnancy, here is what we know so far:
- Improved digestive health. Probiotics may help maintain a balance of healthy digestion and potentially reduce pregnancy-related digestive issues like nausea, constipation, and gas.
- Enhanced immune function. Having a balanced microbiome may help support your immune system to help keep you healthy during your pregnancy.
- Lower risk of pregnancy complications. Imbalances in the gut are hypothesized to be linked with potential complications, the risk of which may decrease when you consume probiotics.
- Allergy protection for your baby. It is proposed that probiotic use may potentially reduce the risk of your baby developing allergies and related conditions, including eczema and asthma.
It’s important to note that each pregnancy is different, and research on probiotics is still rather new. Because of this, before starting a probiotic, it’s essential that you talk with your doctor.
Risks and precautions with prenatal probiotics
While we’ve highlighted some of the benefits of taking a probiotic while pregnant, it’s also important that we discuss the possible risks and precautions.
While probiotics are widely considered safe, it’s crucial for pregnant women to take additional care before starting a new supplement. With so many changes taking place in your body, what was normally beneficial while not pregnant may be different during this time. It’s important to ensure that the probiotic strains consumed and entire product formulation is suitable for pregnancy.
You also need to consider that probiotics can potentially interact with medication or supplements and alter their effectiveness and overall safety. Always consult your doctor before starting a new supplement.
If you have certain pre-existing health conditions, you should be particularly cautious. Some probiotic strains may affect those conditions, so it’s important to choose a probiotic that’s safe for both your health and the baby’s.
The single most important step is to talk with your doctor before starting any probiotic regimen during pregnancy. They can provide you with personalized advice based on your medical history, medications, and current health status.
Best probiotic for pregnancy 2024: conclusion
Pregnancy is a time when your body is undergoing many changes to support the baby's well-being.
Your gut microbiome also changes during pregnancy and tends to get less diverse. While this is a natural response to pregnancy, if your bacteria gets out of balance, it can cause possible health risks to you and the baby.
Taking a probiotic during pregnancy may support a healthy microbiome which can help improve your digestion and function of the immune system and might lower the risk of allergies for your baby and other complications of pregnancy.
When determining a probiotic, choose one that has strains proven safe for pregnancy, such as the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium genera. It’s also important to choose one from a brand that’s known for having quality products and following strict manufacturing practices.
Most importantly, always take the utmost precautions, talk with your doctor, and consult with them before taking any new probiotics.
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FAQ
Can I take probiotics while pregnant?
It’s generally considered safe to take probiotics during pregnancy, but it’s important to choose a strain that’s safe for pregnancy and to consult your doctor beforehand as there are potential risks and precautions.
What are the benefits of taking probiotics while pregnant?
Probiotics may offer several benefits while pregnant, including supporting digestive health, immune system function, reducing the risk of pregnancy complications, and potentially protecting the baby from developing certain allergies.
What should I look for in a prenatal probiotic?
It’s important to choose one with strains that are clinically proven to be safe during pregnancy. Also, quality manufacturing assurance such as a GMP certification and third-party testing.
Are there any side effects to taking probiotics while pregnant?
Side effects from probiotics are generally digestive-related and can include gas, nausea, and stomach cramping. These are typically mild, however, and tend to go away as your body adjusts to the probiotic.
4 resources
- Journal of Reproductive Immunology. Nutrition during pregnancy: Influence on the gut microbiome and fetal development.
- Nutrients. Are Probiotics and Prebiotics Safe for Use during Pregnancy and Lactation? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
- Journal of Clinical Medicine. Unraveling the Puzzle: Health Benefits of Probiotics—A Comprehensive Review.
- Biology. Probiotics Supplementation during Pregnancy: Can They Exert Potential Beneficial Effects against Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes beyond Gestational Diabetes Mellitus?
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