A woman’s body goes through so much change during pregnancy. A pregnant woman can expect to see her body shape completely transform during the nine months she is growing her baby.
Her skin will stretch to its limit over her blossoming bump, her old bras are likely to become way too small and stretch marks often appear too.
While some women glow their way through the pregnancy and wear the new stripes on their skin with pride, other moms-to-be may want to do everything they can to keep the changes to their bodies to the absolute minimum.
Collagen is something that claims to help with skin elasticity and can strengthen joints and ligaments and it is no wonder women are wondering if it is safe for them to take Collagen during their pregnancy.
In this article
What Is Collagen?
Collagen is a protein that can help with skin elasticity, supports joint and muscle health, and is most well known for its anti-aging properties. Collagen is the protein building block of all the body’s connective tissues – it helps to build our muscles, bones, ligaments, hair, and nails.
Anti-aging creams often have Collagen as one of the main ingredients and Collagen can also be taken as a daily supplement. Collagen supplements can strengthen and repair hair and it is also claimed they can boost your mood.
There are lots of beauty perks to taking Collagen and if you are missing your pregnancy glow, you might be considering taking collagen while you are pregnant.
As anything a mom-to-be consumes has the potential to be passed through the placenta to her growing baby, it is important to know if a supplement is safe before you take it.
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Is It Safe To Take Collagen During Pregnancy?
Most Collagen Peptides are safe to take during pregnancy, however, it is always important to discuss them with your doctor or midwife beforehand.
There is some evidence to suggest marine Collagen is not safe to take during pregnancy and it is always best to err on the side of caution or get clearance from your doctor first.
As is the case regarding the safety of many supplements and natural health products for pregnant women, there is not enough data to give a conclusive answer either way on the safety of all collagens during pregnancy.
Pregnant women are advised to consume approximately 70 – 100 grams of protein per day and as Collagen contains protein it should be taken with these numbers in mind.
The best way for pregnant women to get their recommended daily amount of protein is to eat healthy protein-rich foods.
However, if your doctor gives you the go-ahead to take Collagen, like collagen peptide powders or tablets, make sure you are eating a healthy balanced diet too.
The amount of Collagen in different products may vary significantly and if you are worried about the safety of the product, take it to your next prenatal appointment, your doctor can then best advise you on the safety of the ingredients.
Benefits of Taking Collagen During Pregnancy?
There are many reasons why women decide to take Collagen while pregnant or to continue taking Collagen the same way they did before they conceived. Here are some of the possible benefits to taking Collagen while pregnant:
Reduces stretch marks
As Collagen improves skin elasticity, it is widely claimed that Collagen can help reduce the appearance of stretch marks.
Stretch marks are the lines on the skin (sometimes white and sometimes a deep red or purple color), that show up when the skin has stretched beyond its elasticity limit.
Whilst stretch marks can fade over time, taking Collagen during pregnancy can reduce the severity or, in some cases, stop stretch marks from appearing altogether.
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Strengthens the body
Carrying a baby to full term is a very demanding job for a woman’s body.
Pregnancy can really take its toll on the joints and ligaments, the added weight of a baby bump can put a lot of strain on the joints and make daily tasks like walking and lifting difficult and painful.
Collagen can help women to feel stronger during pregnancy and during the postpartum period too.
Boosts mood
It is claimed that taking Collagen can have a positive impact on a person’s mood.
Pregnancy is mentally challenging as well as physically demanding and sometimes hormones and life stresses can leave moms-to-be feeling overwhelmed or anxious.
Collagen can help women to maintain better mental well-being and feeling relaxed and calm is essential for a happy and healthy pregnancy. These mood-boosting benefits of taking collagen will also be beneficial to new moms going through the postnatal period.
Helps with digestion
Collagen contains amino acids that can help with gut health and maintaining a healthy digestive system.
It is common to experience digestive problems like bloating and constipation during pregnancy, the amino acids in Collagen could help to keep the digestive system working effectively during pregnancy.
Can You Take Collagen While Breastfeeding?
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There is no evidence to suggest that taking Collagen while breastfeeding is unsafe or harmful to your nursing baby.
If you wish to take Collagen while nursing your baby, it is best to find a product that includes only Collagen and is not highly processed with artificial sweeteners or fillers.
There are many benefits to taking Collagen during breastfeeding: improved skin elasticity to help recover from pregnancy, more energy and increased mood, better quality sleep, and a healthier immune system.
If you want to be certain Collagen is not going to harm your nursing baby then speak with your pediatrician or an infant dietician for their expert opinion.
There are hundreds of anecdotes available in forums online from other nursing moms discussing their experiences of collagen and breastfeeding.
The Final Thought
There are a plethora of benefits to taking Collagen and certain benefits, like skin elasticity, can make Collagen supplements an appealing choice for moms-to-be and nursing moms.
While there is no clear evidence to suggest that Collagen peptides (apart from marine collagen) can’t be taken when pregnant or breastfeeding, it is always best to seek advice from a medical professional when you are considering taking natural health products.
