probiotics in pregnancy

[mabel1973]

I am 22 weeks pregnant and since I found out seem to have come down with every illness going. I feel completely wiped out all the time. I know tiredness in pregnancy is normal, but I don't remember feeling this bad last time - and I was working then (am a SAHM now to 17 month DS).
I am taking pregnacare vitamins, but was wondering if a probiotic might help my immune system?

are you eating as well as you did last time?

I found my second preg much harder than the first too - I think for me it was a combination of running around after dd and not eating terribly well (vitamins don't compensate for all of it!). Also does our ds go to nursery? if so you'll be getting lots of new germs from him. best defence is to wash hans frequently and never rub your eyes.

You could try probiotics too - I am sceptical of them personally (think lots of veg and a generally healthy diet is better), but they won't do any harm.

Lots of veg and healthy diet will help gut bacteria to repopulate, however probiotics are quicker and some people do have low levels of the good bacteria even with a good diet.

Taking them for the last 3 months is good for your baby too.

say the people who sell the little bottles by any chance?

No, say the team in Finland and the other one in NZ - who are University researchers (possibly sponsored by the makers - haven't gone into it too fully).

it has been sugessted that probiotics may reduce the chance of your child having eczema or asthma if taken whilt pregnant and breastfeeding.
You may also want to have your iron levels checked you could be feeling wiped out cause you are anaemic.

sorry, I just get very annoyed about the way they're marketed as if they were a miracle cure for all of life's problems, when, as you say, only some people actually need them (and it's a very small proportion of the population isn't it?). I'd be interested to see those studies about the last 3 months of pregnancy if you can find a link.

I am eating as well - probably better as I have more time to prepare fresh food than I did when I was at work.
DS goes to playgroup and anything he gets - I get but much worse!
Interesting about iron levels actually as I was anaemic throughout my last pg, but as my initial bloodtest showed my iron was ok I haven't been checked since.

funny you should say that, kayzed - I have had recurring thrush lately. I didn't think about cutting out yeast and sugar - If it comes back again I'll try that, and if it doesn't work I'll try probiotics

Hi

I think I am going to take the probiotic powder that I already have anyway - it can't do any harm. (I bought some from higher nature for DS when he was very ill over xmas). But will get my iron levels checked. I don't eat any red meat, so it is quite likely that they are low.