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Page 20 | Abby's Magazine - www.AbbysMag.com What's a Mom to Do? Protecting Baby Before Birth Enough of a body of research demonstrates that mothers receiving a probiotic in the 3rd trimester have babies with lower rates of atopic conditions (particularly eczema and allergies), particularly in the event of a cesarean, that I now recommend all pregnant women take a probiotic at least through the 3rd trimester of pregnancy. However, further data shows that disruptions in mom's vaginal flora may play a role in preventing preterm birth, which can occur prior to 3rd trimester, and, also urinary tract infection and Group B Strep infection, both risk factors for preterm birth and the need for antibiotics in pregnancy or labor. Therefore, in my own practice, I consider it optimal standard of care to start women on a probiotic when they realize they are pregnant, and continue it throughout. The organisms found to be most protective for mom and baby are a wide variety of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species, and for the prevention of Group B Strep and UTI. I also make sure the mother is getting Lactobacllus reuteri and Lactobacillus rhamnosus, often available in combination on their own. The dose is usually at least 15 billion, but up to 50 CFUs daily in any product. When you have to be on an antibiotic Sometimes it's necessary to take an antibiotic in pregnancy – you get that UTI, you develop an unexpected infection of another sort – and it's the safest thing to do. In this case, start a probiotic along with the antibiotic, and continue for the remainder of pregnancy. Look, we can only do our best to stay free of pharmaceuticals and other exposures to baby, but life happens and we need to roll with it. Do your best to not beat yourself up and remember, not every baby that has an antibiotic exposure develops consequences – many are just fine. And the consequence of not treating an infection is potentially much worse! GBS Group B Streptococcus (Streptococcus agalactiae), or GBS for short, is one of the trillions of organisms that