Benefits of Yogurt for Pregnant Mothers

Probiotics are live microorganisms (in most cases, bacteria) similar to the beneficial microorganisms naturally found in the human gut. Consumable probiotics are available in supplement and food forms. The most commonly used supplements are tablets, drops, liquids, and oral capsules. Globally, the most commonly used microorganisms in sweeteners are Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium (bacteria) and Saccharomyces (yeast) .

Benefits of Yogurt for Pregnant Women

Probiotics are also found in fermented foods, most commonly yogurt. Here are the many benefits of yogurt for pregnant women and their babies.

1. Increase good bacteria in babies

The nutritional status of pregnant women is crucial for the health of both the mother and her fetus. Probiotic supplementation has been shown to be beneficial for pregnant women. Consuming yogurt promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria, such as Bifidobacterium. Furthermore, yogurt reduces the number of harmful bacteria in the Enterobacteriaceae family, such as E. coli, which often causes diarrhea.

2. Helps the growth of the baby's bones and tissues

Yogurt is made from milk, making it rich in calcium and vitamin D. These two nutrients are essential for the formation of bones and tissues in babies. Furthermore, the protein in yogurt is essential for building fetal tissue. If the mother's intake of calcium, vitamin D, and protein, essential for fetal development, is insufficient, the mother's body will draw from her bones. This can lead to a decrease in bone mass.

3. Reduces digestive disorders in pregnant women

Digestive disorders are common in pregnant women. These disorders typically include nausea and constipation. The prevalence of constipation in pregnant women in Asia is around 40%. Constipation reduces quality of life. Excessive straining is detrimental to pregnant women. Straining can damage the pudendal nerve, which innervates the pelvis. As a result, the mother's pelvis weakens and impairs its supporting function. Furthermore, chronic constipation can lead to several serious complications such as fecal impaction, incontinence, bowel damage, bleeding, and hemorrhoids.

On the other hand, probiotics typically contain lactobacillus, bifidobacterium, and saccharomyces. Fermented milk containing Bifidobacterium lactis DN-173010 can promote bowel movements and increase bowel movement frequency.

4. Prevent vaginal infections during pregnancy

During pregnancy, a woman's vaginal pH changes, making her more susceptible to abscesses. Consuming yogurt will influence the diversity of vaginal microbiota, making the vagina more protected against harmful bacteria. Reducing pus also reduces the incidence of miscarriage, premature birth, and low birth weight (LBW) in babies.

5. Reduces the risk of disease during pregnancy

Obese pregnant women are at risk of developing gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, eclampsia, gestational diabetes, and macrosomia. Preeclampsia is a common condition in pregnant women, with symptoms similar to gestational hypertension, including high blood pressure above 140/90 mmHg. The difference is that preeclampsia causes proteinuria, the presence of protein in the mother's urine. If this condition worsens, it can lead to seizures in pregnant women, a condition known as eclampsia.

Another condition suffered by overweight pregnant women is gestational diabetes. This condition is characterized by elevated fasting blood sugar levels above 95 mg/dl or blood sugar levels above 180 mg/dl, and this condition only occurs during pregnancy. Before pregnancy, the mother's blood sugar levels were within normal limits.

Macrosomia is a birth weight of more than 4,000 grams. This condition occurs in fetuses whose mothers have gestational diabetes. Regular yogurt consumption by pregnant women can minimize the risk of preeclampsia, maintain serum insulin levels, and reduce the incidence of gestational diabetes in pregnant women.

A 2010 study conducted by Luoto et al. examined the effects of capsules containing Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and Bifidobacterium lactis BB12 on 256 normal-weight pregnant women. In this study, capsule therapy was combined with probiotic foods, including yogurt. The results showed a reduction in the risk of gestational diabetes from 34% to 13%.

This can occur because stable serum insulin levels prevent insulin resistance in pregnant women. Furthermore, probiotics can lower blood lipid levels, especially triglycerides. Along with insulin resistance, high blood lipid levels contribute to an increased risk of heart attacks in people with gestational diabetes.

These are some of the benefits and advantages of yogurt for pregnant women. However, is yogurt safe for pregnant women? There is considerable debate about the safety of yogurt consumption during pregnancy. According to current data, probiotic supplementation, including yogurt, is rarely systemically absorbed in healthy individuals. One meta-analysis and several randomized controlled trials in women in their third trimester showed no adverse effects on fetal development. Probiotics also do not appear to be present in breast milk.

The risk of probiotics causing bacteremia (the presence of bacteria in the blood) and fungemia (the presence of fungi in the blood) is low. Probiotics are not able to reach the fetal circulation and therefore do not pose a threat. An observational, analytical, and systematic review of eight randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted on the use of probiotics in more than 1,500 pregnant women who took probiotics from 32 and 36 weeks of gestation until delivery.

Research results showed no increase in the incidence of miscarriage or fetal malformations (organ abnormalities). This is due to its use during the third trimester of pregnancy, when organ development is not disrupted.