The mother–baby gut connection: building lifelong health from the very beginning

Did you know, the gut microbiome undergoes significant changes during pregnancy? These changes may play a role in the development of pregnancy-related conditions and can impact both maternal and infant health.

Research in this area is still limited, but a 2012 study showed that the gut microbiome during early pregnancy closely resembles that of non-pregnant individuals. By the third trimester, however, its structure and composition shift to resemble a state of dysbiosis. It’s suggested that hormonal changes and inflammation may be driving this transformation.

One notable shift is the rise in progesterone levels in late pregnancy, which boosts levels of Bifidobacterium – a beneficial microbe that supports infant gut and immune development.¹

A mother’s gut microbiome is shaped by her pre-pregnancy health and lifestyle. Factors such as BMI, diet, lifestyle, medication use, smoking history, exposure to environmental toxins, and pregnancy history all play a role. Research shows that they can have long-term health implications for both mother and child.

The gut microbiome has also been linked to pregnancy complications. Gestational diabetes is associated with imbalances and reduced levels of Bifidobacterium and Faecalibacterium. Preeclampsia has also been associated with changes to the microbiome with affected individuals showing signs of dysbiosis and inflammation.

Mother and infant – the microbial link

The mother’s microbiome communicates with and influences the developing microbiome of her baby. This begins in pregnancy and continues through birth and breastfeeding.² This microbial interaction shapes the baby’s immune system and gut health, may even influence their risk of developing obesity, allergies or autoimmune conditions later in life. Newborns inherit their first set of microbes from their mother, which play a crucial role in immune development and metabolic function.³

These microbes help to train the baby’s immune system to recognise friendly vs harmful microbes. The microbes transmitted from mum help in the normal development of the infant’s immune system.⁴

Because pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, and postpartum gut health play such an important role in long-term outcomes for both mother and baby, supporting the maternal microbiome throughout each of these stages is essential.

Top tips for supporting gut health in mothers and infants

Prioritise a nutrient-dense and healthy diet, such as the Mediterranean diet.
Minimise exposure to processed foods, pesticides and unnecessary antibiotics, which can disrupt gut flora.
Introduce fermented foods such as kefir, to build up your tolerance before conception.
Take steps to ensure your oral microbiome is cared for.
The gut-brain axis plays a key role in your microbiome health, so stress management and practices like tai-chi and breathwork can help with this and in turn support digestion.
If possible immediate skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding help to establish a healthy infant microbiome.
Nourishing broths and warming foods during the postpartum period will support healing, and the baby’s gut via breastfeeding.
Continue to take probiotics and prebiotics throughout to support gut health (if pregnancy-approved).