We know there are things we can do to have a healthier pregnancy and set up our kids for success. And we want to do them all! But minimizing our stress level is just as important.

Learning how to do things like maximize nutrient status and navigate maternity leave benefits can feel overwhelming, especially when paired with body aches and “baby brain.”

Fortunately, there are blissfully simple actions we can take to have a healthier pregnancy and still be relaxed enough to enjoy it!

Among these: getting adequate vitamin D and sunshine, optimizing our DHA intake with a supplement, and even simply drinking cranberry juice.

It’s also a great time to outsource jobs that make you sneeze, like cleaning the vacuum filter or dusting. Having fewer allergic responses during the first trimester benefits your baby. So while you’re doing all the work of building this baby, leave those other tasks to someone else.

Another tip? Probiotics!
Antibiotics can be routine to ensure a healthy delivery, keeping infectious bacteria from ascending the urogenital tract or causing complications during a C-section. While they are essential, antibiotics can disrupt the microbiome. That alone poses risks for complications. But probiotic treatment with lactobacilli can help minimize those risks.

Be proactive with Pregnancy Care Probiotic! It was formulated for the unique needs of pregnancy and can be super beneficial post-C-section.

Clinical trials show that Pregnancy Care Probiotic (US/CA) contains strains able to colonize the lining of the cervix, which gives it the ability to protect the vagina against bacteria like E. Coli.

It is also proven to:
• Support a healthy gut and vaginal microbiota before, during, and after pregnancy
• Reduce diarrhea from antibiotics given during caesarean section
• Is C-section possibly in your future? Pregnancy Care Probiotic promotes healthy vaginal flora after a caesarean and can help manage diarrhea related to antibiotic therapy. You don’t need cramps and bathroom woes after a C-section! Bump up the good bacteria with Pregnancy Care Probiotic.
• Feeling the effects of “baby brain”? Can’t remember where you put your car keys, let alone remember to take your probiotics when they’re sequestered in the fridge? You’ll be happy to know that we made Pregnancy Care Probiotic in a convenient little box with shelf-stable blister packs you can keep on the counter or in your purse where you’ll remember to take them.

Get your digestive tract on track!
Constipation, heartburn, diarrhea, gas, and bloating can be serious annoyances of pregnancy. A daily probiotic can help, while also strengthening your immune system.

We always use strict quality control, and we know it’s even more critical when you’re pregnant!

The formula is non-GMO and is free of all major allergens, including soy, dairy and gluten, as well as yeast and sugar. Instead of coating our formulas with plasticisers, we use modern lab techniques to test our strains and ensure they are proven to survive the harsh environment of your stomach acids. Simply put: this leads to a much more effective probiotic and exponentially greater health benefits for you.

Ready to give Pregnancy Care Probiotic a try?
Preferably start at least a week prior to delivery and continue for 10 days after. If you are given antibiotics, try to take the probiotics about 2-3 hours before or after antibiotics for best results. 

References:
http://ndnr.com/womens-health/the-vaginal-microbiome-its-role-in-fertility-preterm-labor-risk/
http://www.jognn.org/article/S0884-2175(15)31538-0/pdf
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-562203/Why-probiotics-ARE-boon.html
https://bmcpregnancychildbirth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12884-016-0923-y

About the Author: Flora Health

Flora Manufacturing and Distributing Ltd. was established in 1965 and is headquartered in Burnaby, BC. Flora is a privately owned nutraceutical manufacturer known for high quality whole food supplements, full-spectrum botanical extracts, unrefined seed oils, and European health tonics. Learn more at florahealth.com.