Did you know that your gut microbiota was passed down to you from your mom?⁣ Babies are first “seeded” with microbes through the vaginal birthing process, pick up more via skin to skin, and even more microbes while breastfeeding. ⁣This process is known as “seeding”.
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These early exposures to bacteria play a critical role in developing immunity, the digestive system, the brain and play a vital role in determining your child’s health for life.⁣

You’ve heard it before—it starts with the gut. The health of your gut affects much more than your digestion.

The trillions of bugs in your gut influence every body system playing a role regulating your mood, immunity, skin, hormone metabolism, nutrient absorption and assimilation and beyond.

Since gut health is essential for whole-health and healthy resilient babies, it is a major concern for couples trying to conceive. In fact, our coaches spend an entire week covering gut health and the microbiome in our preconception plan.

The gut microbiome is critical to your overall health and wellbeing.

We recommend women in the preconception period and during pregnancy include strains Bifidobacterium adolescentis SD-BA5-IT (DSM18352) and Limosilactobacillus reuteri SD-LRE2-IT.

These strains of probiotics have been clinically and scientifically studied to support folate production and B12 synthesis, micronutrients critical to the growth and protection of the brain and spinal cord of your future or growing baby.

Shop our providers most prescribed probiotics

Along with supplementing with probiotics, here are my top 5 tips to heal your gut to support a successful seeding process:

1. Remove inflammatory foods such as sugar, processed and packaged foods and in some cases, dairy.

2. Eat plenty of fiber and prebiotic rich foods such as asparagus, bananas, leeks and onions. Prebiotic fiber helps beneficial microbes grow.

3. Limit over the counter medications that damage the gut lining such as NSAIDs and unnecessary antibiotics.

4. Replace digestive enzymes or use bitters with meals to support your digestive fire.

5. Implement a mindfulness practice. Stress negatively affects digestion, peristalsis and the integrity of the gut wall.