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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Anyone taking probiotics?

17 replies

clairedunphy · 22/08/2013 10:49

I'm 15 weeks and struggling with constipation. I'm trying lots of the usual remedies like prune juice, drinking loads of water, eating lots of fruit etc, but I still seem to get bad episodes even when I don't think I've changed my habits much.

There was a thread on here a while back that I can't now find about how helpful some people had found probiotics for constipation, bloating etc in pregnancy, and a recommendation of one you can get from Holland & Barratt.

Anyone got any experience of this?

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workingtitle · 22/08/2013 11:32

Yes, I have been taking the tablets since about 10 weeks pg (currently 31 weeks) and so far have had absolutely no digestive problems (constipation, heartburn, bloating, piles).

I buy ones that don't need to be refrigerated. They all need to be taken with a cold drink - heat kills them.
I was using these cheapish ones but bought some more expensive (stronger) ones last time. I wanted to try the stronger ones after reading about probiotics helping prevent allergy in babies (I have asthma and eczema) , e.g., this, but I don't think it's made any difference to constipation etc.

comfyonesie2 · 22/08/2013 11:40

Hi yes, it might have been me who recommended Lepicol. It's not cheap but works really well for bloating and constipation (for me anyway!) You can get it at H&B or Boots or independent health food shops. You start on a higher dose, but I'm down to 2 capsules a day now and still working well.

Sparkeleigh · 22/08/2013 11:44

I've been taking Yakult drinkable ones since about 26ish weeks I think because of terrible heartburn. I don't think the heartburn is as bad as it was and what I'm spending on Yakult I'm saving on glaviscon! It's still bad at times, but not daily like it was before.

I haven't had any other problems but I didn't have them before I started taking the probiotices either!

workingtitle · 22/08/2013 12:03

I would personally go for tablets over probiotic drinks. The drinks have lots of other stuff in them we don't need/might not want to consume. Plus tablets generally work out cheaper per day.

Kelly1814 · 22/08/2013 13:01

Yes, they are the only things keeping raging thrush at bay for me!

Original poster

clairedunphy · 22/08/2013 14:13

Thank you all for the feedback, I've just been to H&B and got some tablets, it says one or two per day so I think I'll start with one and see how I get on.

It does say to consult a medical professional if pregnant but I thought some pre natal vitamins now contained probiotic so can't help thinking they're being overly cautious?

OP posts:

HMT13 · 22/08/2013 16:33

Clairedunphy which ones did u go for? Just been looking into them to order some but can't decide between the 1 billion and 3 billion ones. Both H&B own brand ones.

LateBear · 22/08/2013 16:40

Watching with interest, was thinking about taking these too

Original poster

clairedunphy · 22/08/2013 18:01

HMT13 mine are 2 billion! They are own brand, called Acidophilus Plus, 120 tablets for just over £15 I think. They didn't actually have much choice so I hope I've got the right thing!

OP posts:

HMT13 · 22/08/2013 19:21

Ha thank you! Couldn't see the 2 billion! I've decided to go with the lepicol powder to start off with. Will see how that goes. I didn't want to take anything whilst pregnant but I can't go on like this!

Original poster

clairedunphy · 22/08/2013 20:17

Glad it's not just me! I too didn't want to take anything but I can't find anything negative or worrying in my googling that makes me think it's in any way risky.

OP posts:

HMT13 · 22/08/2013 20:37

That's what I'm thinking - in fact a lot of sites are saying how many positives probiotics can have in pregnancy. Good luck, hope it helps us!

Original poster

clairedunphy · 22/08/2013 21:05

Thanks, me too!

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Sluggers · 22/08/2013 22:15

I bought acidophilus ultra max 20 billion something or other from H&B after seeing it recommended on a Mumsnet thread. I took it to my midwife to ask if it was ok.

She really didn't want to commit and just said she didn't know if it was ok or not. After me basically forcing her to tell me how I could find out if she couldn't tell me, she did a load of googling and said she couldn't see any reason why it shouldn't be ok. I've been taking 1 a day ever since.

I'd recommend them to others for sure.

Knitella · 22/08/2013 23:21

I was keen to take acidophilus after being given a course of antibiotics at 17ish weeks. I checked with my GP first and she said it was fine.

Original poster

clairedunphy · 23/08/2013 07:53

Sluggers & Knitella, that's good to know, I think healthcare professionals have to be so cautious. I had IVF and asked my consultant (via text) and she just said that she didn't know enough about them and suggested I try gaviscon, not that helpful!

Well done for being pushy Sluggers, 20 billion sounds like a hefty dose, I have to admit I don't really understand the relative benefits of the different doses, probably good that I didn't have much choice!

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wispa31 · 23/08/2013 17:23

biocare do a prenatal probiotic which is very good. can get that online or in some good health food shops. def big diff when taking them, keeps me regular and heartburn kept at bay.

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