From the moment that you find out that you are pregnant, your baby is always the first thing on your mind. How do you create the best environment for your baby to grow and develop? Research has shown that healthy gut flora during pregnancy can have many amazing benefits for both mom and baby. In this article, we will be discussing ways that you can help support gut health during pregnancy.
For mom, a healthy gut microbiome can help to decrease risk of pre-eclampsia, promote healthy weight gain, and even regulate hormone imbalances. For a newborn, healthy gut flora can support a strong immune system, boost metabolism, and even help regulate sugar levels after delivery.
This article was written in partnership with Lifeway Kefir. Kefir is a cultured milk smoothie that is high in Protein, Calcium and Vitamin D. Thanks to their amazing research, they developed an all-natural formula that contains 12 live and active cultures. Their smoothies support immunity and a healthy digestive system.
Benefits of gut health for mom
There are so many amazing ways that a healthy gut microbiome can support moms during pregnancy. For one, a healthy gut also supports a healthy immune system. This is so important for an expecting mom who needs to make sure her body is in tip top shape for her new baby. Since the majority of the immune system is found in the gut, the key to a healthy immune system is to maintain a healthy gut microbiome.
Another huge benefit is that there is a lot of communication between the gut and the brain. A healthy microbiome has been linked to decreased risk of postpartum depression and anxiety after childbirth. The gut sends a lot of important signals to the brain in response to stress (such as childbirth). Studies have also shown that probiotics help to regulate depression and anxiety postpartum.
In addition to immunity and hormone regulation, studies show that a healthy microbiome also decreases risk of high blood pressure during pregnancy and after. High blood pressure can cause seizures and a whole lot of complications for both mom and baby. In fact, the gut microflora affected mom and baby even after 6 weeks postpartum.
Kefir milk smoothies have a wide range of probiotics to help support immunity, hormone balances, and even decrease risk of blood pressure issues during pregnancy.
Benefits for baby
So we talked about a few ways that a healthy gut can help mom. Now let’s talk about a healthy gut can help a newborn baby. For one, gut microflora transfers from mom to baby, so a healthy gut in mom also means a healthy gut in the baby. In fact, even more flora is transferred to the baby during childbirth to help the baby transition to life outside of mommy.
For one, a healthy gut not only helps moms immune system, but it also helps baby’s immune system. This immunity boost is perfect for someone so tiny and vulnerable. The gut flora is something transferred to baby that mom actually has control over.
This could also be life-saving for premature babies in the NICU. Studies show that a healthy gut flora even helps cut the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis – a severe and often fatal condition – in half! It is so important to support gut health during pregnancy so your baby can have the best chance of having a healthy gut after delivery.
I highly recommend the Kefir formula to help support a healthy gut during pregnancy. Their smoothies are affordable, non-GMO, lactose-free, and have probiotics that support a healthy gut.
What can damage a healthy gut?
We just discussed how important it is to have a healthy gut during pregnancy. Now what can damage a healthy gut? The major reasons for a unhealthy gut microbiome are related to lifestyle and diet. It is so important to maintain a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy and restrict heavily processed foods.
How can you improve gut health
There are many ways you can support gut health during pregnancy. For one, try to maintain a healthy weight gain throughout your pregnancy. You can always follow up with your OB during your pregnancy to make sure that you are on track. In addition, you can eat fiber-rich foods and foods that are low fat and high protein. Probiotics also help to keep the gut microbiome as healthy as possible.
You can’t control the color of your baby’s eyes or their personality, but you can control their gut flora. High quality flora will give high-quality nutrients to your baby. As they travel down the birth canal, they are also covered in gut flora. They can continue to transfer your flora as your do skin to skin and breastfeed. What type of microbiome will you create for your new baby?
Kefir Milk Smoothies are high in protein and contain 12 live and active cultures to support your gut health so your baby has the best nutrients and bacteria available.
Healthy recipes for a healthy gut
I know how it is as a parent. You barely have enough time to keep your head on straight, yet alone plan healthy meals for your family. Kefir has a wide variety of healthy recipes that you can use to boost immunity, digestion, and a lot more! Here are some of my favorites:
Conclusion
Congratulations on your new baby! It is such a blessing, and I am so happy that you are educating yourself on what to expect. Preparation brings a level of confidence that is so important to new parents. Remember that you can always check out our BABY ACADEMY for all of our prenatal resources for new parents. Please let me know if there is anything that I can do to help!
Free Prenatal Class
Enjoy a free prenatal class from the comfort of your own home! This is a course that I wrote based on a decade of professional and personal experiences regarding everything from childbirth to newborn care. This is a self-paced course that you can watch anytime and anywhere you want! You can sign up HERE. I look forward to connecting with you! – Rachel
Exciting News!!
Did you know that many insurance plans include FREE prenatal and postnatal consultations? See if you qualify by filling out this form: INSURANCE AUTHORIZATION FORM. Consultations can be virtual, in home, or in office with no out of pocket costs.