Once upon a time, deep in the heart of a microbiological lab, scientists stumbled upon something extraordinary – a tiny but mighty probiotic strain known as Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12®.
Nicknamed “BB-12” for short, this little powerhouse had been quietly working wonders for decades, helping people maintain gut health and support their immune function.
What truly sets BB-12 apart, however, is its unique ability to support moms and their babies during one of life’s most precious stages: pregnancy.
You see, during pregnancy, a woman’s microbiome undergoes profound changes to support her own health and, at the same time, lays the foundation for her baby’s developing immune system.
BB-12 has proven to be a gentle yet powerful ally, helping expectant mothers maintain optimum health and comfort during pregnancy.
But perhaps most remarkably, BB-12 positively influences your baby’s microbiome from day one, setting the stage for better digestive health, a robust immune system, and lifelong wellness.
Prenatal probiotics like BB-12 aren’t just about gut health, they’re about giving you and your baby the best possible start on your wellness journey together.
Let’s take a deeper look at how prenatal probiotics can potentially be a gamechanger for you and your baby – whether you’re expecting now or have already given birth.
Why Take Prenatal Probiotics?
You’re surrounded by trillions of microorganisms. They live in your gut, mouth, vagina, as well as your skin and eyes. Known as the “human microbiome,” this diverse collection of microorganisms is made up of fungi, yeasts, viruses, but mostly bacteria.
Your gut microbiome is very complex – and differs vastly from one person to the next – with more than 5,000 bacterial species present.
A balanced microbiome is key to health as it supports not only your gut health, but also your immune function, metabolism, and influences your mood through the gut-brain axis.
When you become pregnant, your microbiome undergoes significant changes as your body adapts to nourish and protect new life.
These changes make gut health more critical than ever, as a balanced microbiome can help reduce occasional digestive discomforts like bloating, constipation, and heartburn during pregnancy.
Probiotics, or live health-supporting microorganisms, help restore balance in your gut, supporting better digestion and overall comfort. And when your microbiome is healthy, it directly impacts your baby’s development, especially his or her immune system.
That’s where prenatal probiotics enter the picture – they’re essential for supporting the health and well-being of both a pregnant mom and her soon-to-be-born baby.
Research shows that prenatal probiotics help support the transfer of beneficial bacteria from mom to baby, setting the stage for optimal immunity, improved digestion, and long-term health benefits for your child.
By promoting a healthy balance of bacteria, probiotics can support a robust immune response in your body, reducing susceptibility to threats that could affect both your health and your baby’s.
A well-balanced microbiome may also play a role in supporting mood stability and reducing stress, as the gut-brain connection becomes increasingly significant during pregnancy.
By incorporating probiotics into your daily routine, you can provide vital support for yourself during pregnancy as well as your baby.
Prenatal probiotics are an investment in digestive health, immunity, and overall wellness, giving you and your baby the best possible foundation for a healthy and happy start to life.
How Your Baby Receives Your Healthy Bacteria
Your baby begins receiving beneficial bacteria from you, her mother, even before birth.
During pregnancy, microbes from your gut and vaginal microbiomes pass through the placenta and amniotic fluid, which in turn influence your developing baby’s microbiome while still in the womb.
This early exposure is believed to be critical for the development of a baby’s immune system, metabolic function, and overall health.
However, the most significant transfer of beneficial bacteria occurs during childbirth – specifically a vaginal delivery.
As your baby passes through the birth canal, they are exposed to a diverse array of maternal microbes, including Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species. These bacteria colonize your baby’s gut and help establish his microbiome.
If your baby is born via cesarean section, they acquire bacteria resembling your skin microbiome, which is very different. This makes breastfeeding even more important for your newborn’s development.
Breastfeeding plays a crucial role in transferring beneficial bacteria, as breast milk contains both probiotics and prebiotics that nurture your infant’s gut microbiome.
Supporting a healthy microbiome through diet, lifestyle, and supplementation with prenatal probiotics can optimize this microbial transfer and provide lifelong health benefits for your baby.
Even if your diet and lifestyle might not have been flawless before you became pregnant – and you know your microbiome may not be at its best – it’s not too late to make improvements, before your baby arrives.
Prenatal probiotics, like those containing the proven BB-12 strain, now make it easier than ever to build and support your microbiome during this important time.
BB-12®: The Most Documented Bifidobacterium in the World
Bifidobacteria were first discovered and isolated from the stool sample of a breastfed baby in 1899.
For many years, researchers marveled at the resilience and versatility of this probiotic strain. It had an uncanny knack for surviving the harsh journey through the digestive tract, setting up camp in the gut where it worked tirelessly to balance the microbiome.
Its benefits were undeniable: improved digestion, a fortified immune system, and even a calming influence on the gut-brain axis.
But the magic didn’t stop there.
When scientists began to explore BB-12’s role in maternal health, they discovered something remarkable.
In response to the profound changes taking place in a woman’s microbiome during pregnancy, BB-12 helped expectant mothers maintain digestive comfort, reduce occasional bloating, and even supported their overall immunity—a vital factor in staying healthy while nurturing new life.
Perhaps the most astonishing discovery was how BB-12 could help support the transfer of beneficial bacteria from mother to baby.
Researchers found that when moms-to-be included BB-12 as part of their daily routine, it positively influenced their baby’s microbiome from day one.
This early advantage meant better digestive health, a more robust immune system, and a head start on lifelong wellness.
The BB-12® strain has been described in around 400 scientific publications and supported by more than 200 publications describing studies in humans.
Tested in a range of people, from preterm babies to the elderly, the Bifidobacterium BB-12 strain is linked to multiple potential benefits in babies and children, including:
And in adults…
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Oral health
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Regularity
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Immune health
Could BB-12 Help Reduce Your Baby’s Fussiness and Excessive Crying?
There’s nothing more concerning – and upsetting – to new parents than an inconsolable newborn.
Excessive crying and fussing during infancy is a common challenge for parents, with up to 25% of all infants under three months of age affected worldwide.
Many parents find themselves seeking advice – from their pediatricians, family and friends – for this issue, as excessive crying can lead to significant stress for both you and your baby. The emotional toll is substantial and can lead to parental guilt, frustration, and sleep disturbances.
Research shows that infants who cry and fuss excessively often have imbalances in their gut microbiota, characterized by lower counts of beneficial bacteria and increased concentrations of undesirable bacteria.
This imbalance can contribute to digestive discomfort, which may worsen crying episodes.
BB-12 has been shown to positively modulate the gut microbiota, promoting an environment rich in beneficial bacteria. Found naturally in breast milk, bifidobacteria play a crucial role in supporting an infant’s digestive comfort.
So, if you’re supplementing with BB-12, how can your baby benefit, too?
In studies where only the mother was given the probiotic, the breastfed infant received beneficial effects, as if the probiotic was given directly to the infant.
In other words, if you breastfeed your baby while you’re supplementing with BB-12, your baby may also benefit from BB-12, providing support for gut health and digestive comfort.*
Introducing Prenatal Complete Probiotics: A Powerful Ally to Your and Your Baby’s Lifelong Wellness
Because BB-12 is so widely tested and trusted by millions, we decided to make it the cornerstone of our prenatal probiotic blend – Prenatal Complete Probiotics.
Our Prenatal Complete Probiotics provides 25 Billion CFU per serving of Mercola Prenatal Probiotic Blend, a unique blend of six different probiotic strains vital for women during pregnancy and lactation. This blend includes:
Our formula is crafted exclusively for us by a trusted world leader in microbiome-based probiotic health. Started in 1873 by pharmacist Christian Hansen using Danish-sourced probiotic strains, this company now ranks number one in sustainability.
Working with the world’s most documented probiotic strains, along with valuable trademark protection, our supplier possesses the focus, dedication and scientific expertise that’s needed in today’s world to create an exceptional product.
One of the world’s only fully integrated suppliers of probiotic solutions, our supplier produces our formula in state-of-the-art production facilities designed to support the maintenance of live and stable probiotic bacteria.
Starting with carefully controlled fermentation, the probiotic strains, which are documented for genetic identification, viability and stability, are produced to the highest of quality levels.
Each batch is tested to ensure it aligns with the most stringent regulatory requirements. Final testing confirms the contents match the label on the bottle.
As for Prenatal Complete Probiotics, you now know all about BB-12 and how it can potentially benefit your gut health, as well as your baby’s microbiome.
Next, let’s explore LGG™ and the ASTARTE™ probiotic blend, and see what they might offer you and your baby…
Help Breeze Through Your Pregnancy With Gut-Friendly Lactobacillus rhamnosus (LGG™)
What expectant mom doesn’t want an easy, comfortable pregnancy with the best possible outcome – a healthy, happy newborn?
The right prenatal probiotics can help make that happen.
Lactobacillus rhamnosus, or LGG™, is one of the most extensively studied probiotic strains, known for its ability to powerfully support maternal and infant health.*
LGG offers targeted benefits that address two unique challenges for the mom during pregnancy:
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Promoting a balanced gut microbiome, which is essential for optimal digestion and nutrient absorption – both critical for supporting the increased nutritional demands of pregnancy.*
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Helping to reduce the risk of common gastrointestinal issues and occasional constipation and irregularity, which can be particularly disruptive during pregnancy.*
Even better, the potential benefits of LGG extend beyond you to your baby.
Research shows that when you supplement with LGG during pregnancy, like BB-12, it can positively influence your baby’s developing microbiome, supporting a robust immune system from birth.*
LGG has also been associated with a reduced risk of skin issues and allergies in infants, likely due to its ability to modulate, or normalize, your baby’s immune response and strengthen the gut barrier.*
By promoting a healthier microbiome, LGG lays the foundation for long-term health and wellness in your baby. And, also like BB-12, taking LGG may help increase your baby’s comfort and help reduce excessive crying and fussing.*
Backed by decades of research, LGG is a trusted choice for promoting maternal and infant health. Its proven safety and efficacy make it a valuable addition to Prenatal Complete Probiotics.
How ASTARTE™ Supports Gut and Vaginal Health
The ASTARTE blend of probiotics represents a groundbreaking advancement in the field of women’s health, particularly during pregnancy.
Designed to support the unique microbiome needs of expectant mothers, ASTARTE combines four carefully selected strains of beneficial Lactobacillus bacteria.
Originally isolated from the vaginal tract of healthy pregnant women, these strains were chosen based on their proven ability to promote vaginal and gut health, support immune health, and promote the maternal-fetal microbiome connection.
Containing the most commonly found species in a healthy vaginal microbiota, the ASTARTE™ blend is linked to several beneficial effects in women, including:
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Supporting a healthy vaginal microbiome.*
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Reducing vaginal discharge and odor due to an imbalance in vaginal bacteria.*
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Seeding the vaginal microbiota with lactobacillus strains.
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Reducing complaints of vaginal and gastrointestinal discomfort.*
The ASTARTE blend supports a healthy vaginal microbiome. Its strains also support gut health, promoting digestion, nutrient absorption, and immune regulation, ensuring lifelong wellness for both you and your baby.*
What really sets ASTARTE apart is its scientific backing. Studies show how strains like Lactobacillus species help maintain a healthy vaginal pH, crucial during pregnancy, while also aiding in gut health and establishing a robust microbiota in infants.*
These probiotics play a crucial role in shaping your baby’s microbiome during delivery and breastfeeding, offering long-term benefits for your baby’s health.*
Carefully formulated for safety and efficacy, ASTARTE empowers mothers with a natural, effective tool to promote your own well-being and that of your baby.
While its primary goal is to provide comprehensive microbiome support for mom and breastfed babies, ASTARTE has been found to also help ensure optimal health outcomes for premenopausal and postmenopausal women.
Take Control of Your Health With Prenatal Complete Probiotics
During pregnancy, maintaining a balanced microbiome is critically important for both you and your baby.
Probiotic strains like BB-12, LGG, and the ASTARTE blend offer science-backed benefits that support maternal gut health, increase digestive comfort, and promote healthy immune function.*
The combined goodness of these probiotics also play a crucial role in shaping your baby’s microbiome, laying the foundation for a robust immune system, optimal digestion, and reduced risk of allergies and skin concerns.*
By fostering a healthier microbiome, our Prenatal Complete Probiotics helps address common pregnancy challenges like bloating, constipation, and occasional digestive upset.*
They also promote a balanced vaginal microbiome.*
For your baby, these beneficial bacteria help ensure a smoother transition into life, supporting long-term wellness from day one.
Give yourself and your baby the best possible start with our expertly formulated Prenatal Complete Probiotics. Featuring strains like BB-12® and LGG™, our blend is designed to nurture your microbiome during this crucial stage of life.
Take the first step toward lifelong health and wellness – order our Prenatal Complete Probiotics today.