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We get a lot of questions about whether hydrolyzed collagen can be taken during pregnancy or breastfeeding. There's no fully conclusive scientific evidence that collagen is either beneficial or harmful to you during this delicate period. Specialists point to its benefits for conditions or issues similar to what you may be experiencing - joint pain, changes in the condition of your skin, hair and teeth, unbalanced nutrition, emotional instability. That's why we recommend that, if you decide to use this type of supplement, you consult with your treating doctor.
Being healthy and beautiful - that's what every woman expecting a child wishes for. The first months after giving birth are also challenging: this fresh start for body and spirit calls for carefully chosen, consistent care that gives it the best chance to recover. What role does hydrolyzed collagen play in the diet of an expectant mother and in the early days of parenthood?
Collagen decreases during pregnancy
According to a study published in the US National Library of Medicine, the hormonal and physical changes in a woman's skeleton during pregnancy and breastfeeding lead to a shortage – both in quantity and quality – of type 1 collagen. It's found in the largest amounts in bovine collagen, which is best absorbed in powder form after hydrolysis.
Collagen hydrolysate helps women during the first trimester, when some experience stomach discomfort and don't eat as well as they should. This valuable protein will help protect them from the adverse effects of an unhealthy diet. It's odorless, tasteless, dissolves in both hot and cold drinks, and can be used in recipes.
During the third trimester, and especially during the so-called fourth trimester, or the first 3 months after giving birth, a woman's bones and joints are especially vulnerable. Bones lose mass, while the knee joints and ligaments are under extra strain from supporting the growing baby. The skin stretches and loses elasticity, resulting in stretch marks. After giving birth, the body is under stress from breastfeeding, and the skin still bears the marks of recent stretching. Many women experience hair loss, and their dental health can be shaky too. Postpartum depression often clouds the first weeks of motherhood.
Hydrolyzed collagen helps with common problems
Although there aren't many studies on collagen use during pregnancy, the benefits of hydrolyzed collagen for pregnant women are often compared to those seen in postmenopausal women and in active athletes. For those groups, there's enough evidence that it helps restore valuable protein in the bones, which is also a key concern for expectant mothers.
Athletes and people who exercise regularly take hydrolyzed collagen daily to recover faster from injuries, reduce pain during movement, and improve mobility. Pregnant women face similar struggles, with back and lower-back pain being an everyday occurrence. That's why bovine collagen is thought to be beneficial for them, even though there aren't any scientifically confirmed studies on this specifically.
It's estimated that as many as 1 in 5 women suffers from mental health conditions related to motherhood, such as depression and heightened anxiety during and after pregnancy. Many nutritionists and mothers recommend a balanced, healthy diet rich in collagen-containing foods, along with collagen supplements, to help manage this emotional instability.
Our recommendation to pregnant and breastfeeding women is to consult your doctor before choosing any supplement. And when you do buy one, check its origin. In the case of hydrolyzed collagen, it's important that it comes from pasture-raised animals, raised under organic farming conditions, without antibiotics. Read more on how to choose the best collagen for you in this article. Also be sure to follow the recommended dose. We wish you a healthy, happy pregnancy and successful motherhood!
