The Gut Microbiome and Women’s Health | Part 2
Pregnancy, Postpartum, and What Your Microbiome Is Doing Behind the Scenes
If you caught Mondays’s post, you know we’ve been exploring how the gut microbiome impacts women's health beyond digestion. In Part 1, we looked at its connection to hormonal balance, estrogen metabolism, and conditions like PCOS and endometriosis.
Today, we’re turning the spotlight to pregnancy and postpartum — two phases where your microbiome isn’t just supporting you, it’s setting the stage for your baby’s immune system, metabolism, and even mental health. And just like your body, your microbiome changes dramatically to meet those new demands.
Let’s explore what that looks like — and how to support it.
How the Microbiome Evolves During Pregnancy
Pregnancy is not just a hormonal transformation — it’s a microbial one too. As your body shifts to support the growth of new life, your gut microbiome adapts in ways that are both remarkable and essential. These changes aren't random; they help your body meet the nutritional demands of pregnancy, modulate your immune system, and prepare your metabolism for childbirth and beyond.
In the first trimester, your microbiome begins a slow shift. By the third trimester, it can resemble a profile more similar to someone with metabolic syndrome — higher levels of inflammation and insulin resistance — but this is nature’s intentional design. These changes help the body store fat and energy needed for fetal development and nursing.
However, when the microbial balance tips too far — due to stress, poor diet, or antibiotics — it can increase the risk of complications like gestational diabetes or preterm birth. Understanding these shifts gives us the power to support them through thoughtful nutrition and gut-friendly habits.
Gestational Diabetes and the Gut Microbiome
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is characterized by glucose intolerance during pregnancy. Emerging research indicates that alterations in the gut microbiota may play a role in its development.
A study published in Gut found that women who developed GDM exhibited distinct gut microbial profiles, with increased levels of inflammation-associated bacteria and reduced diversity, potentially contributing to insulin resistance and inflammation.1
Another study in Microbiome observed that women with GDM had different gut microbiota compositions compared to normoglycemic pregnant women, suggesting a link between gut dysbiosis and GDM. 2
Preterm Birth and Microbial Imbalances
Preterm birth, defined as delivery before 37 weeks of gestation, has been associated with alterations in the maternal microbiome.
Research in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology identified specific patterns of gut and vaginal dysbiosis linked to a higher risk of preterm labor, indicating that microbial imbalances may trigger inflammatory responses contributing to early labor. 3 A study conducted by Stanford University found that pregnant women with a high diversity of vaginal bacteria, particularly elevated levels of Gardnerella and Ureaplasma, had an increased risk of preterm birth. This research suggests that prolonged periods of such bacterial patterns during pregnancy may elevate the likelihood of premature delivery.4
Additionally, a study highlighted that an abundance of Lactobacillus crispatus in early gestation was associated with a decreased incidence of preterm birth, suggesting the protective role of certain beneficial bacteria.5
Postpartum Microbiome: Recovery, Immunity, and Mental Health
The postpartum phase is often overlooked in wellness conversations, but it’s one of the most biologically intense recovery periods a woman will ever experience — and the gut microbiome plays a foundational role in how well that recovery unfolds.
Immune Function and Healing.
After childbirth, your body undergoes significant healing, from uterine recovery to tissue repair and hormonal recalibration. A well-balanced gut microbiome supports this process by strengthening your immune system and regulating inflammation — both critical for effective healing.
Why does this matter so much postpartum? Because about 70% of your immune cells are housed in your gut. When your microbiome is balanced, it produces short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) that nourish the gut lining, support immune defenses, and reduce systemic inflammation. This not only lowers your risk of infection (which is heightened postpartum), but also helps your body repair more efficiently after delivery.
If gut dysbiosis occurs — whether due to antibiotics, stress, or a nutrient-poor diet — it can slow wound healing, exacerbate inflammation, and even contribute to energy crashes and poor nutrient absorption.
Mental Health and the Gut-Brain Axis.
The connection between the gut and brain, known as the gut-brain axis, is particularly significant in the postpartum period. Disruptions in the gut microbiota have been linked to postpartum depression (PPD). A study in Annals of General Psychiatry discusses how gut microbes influence neurotransmitter production and inflammation, both of which are involved in mood regulation, highlighting the microbiome's role in PPD. 6
Further research in Frontiers in Psychiatry supports the association between gut microbiota composition and PPD, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a healthy microbiome for mental well-being.
Nutritional Strategies to Support the Gut Microbiome During and After Pregnancy
Maintaining a healthy gut microbiome is vital during pregnancy and postpartum.
Here are some Vango Wellness nutrition and lifestyle recommendations:
Fiber-Rich Foods: Incorporate whole grains, legumes, fruits, and vegetables to promote the growth of beneficial bacteria.
Prebiotic vegetables (onions, garlic, asparagus) to feed your good microbes.
Fermented Foods: Consume yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and miso to introduce probiotics that support gut health and replenish beneficial bacteria.
Omega-3s (wild salmon, walnuts, flaxseeds) to combat inflammation.
Hydration: Drink plenty of water to aid digestion and nutrient absorption.
Regular Meals: Maintain consistent eating patterns to stabilize blood sugar levels and support metabolic health.
Supporting Your Journey with uncomplicated coaching
Pregnancy and postpartum are deeply transformative times — not just emotionally, but biologically too. Your gut microbiome shifts to support both you and your baby, influencing everything from energy and immunity to mood and recovery. Understanding these changes and learning how to nourish your body accordingly can make a big difference in how you feel, heal, and thrive.
That’s where I come in.
At Vango Wellness, I offer personalized coaching to help you meet your body’s evolving needs — simply and sustainably. Whether it’s building a gut-supportive plate, navigating cravings and aversions, or rebuilding strength after birth, you’ll have support that adapts to your real life, not the other way around.
Want to learn how to care for your gut in a way that supports your whole journey — from pregnancy to postpartum? I’m here for you. Reach out anytime.
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Gestational diabetes is driven by microbiota-induced inflammation months before diagnosis. https://gut.bmj.com/content/72/5/918?utm
Gestational diabetes is associated with change in the gut microbiota composition in third trimester of pregnancy and postpartum. https://microbiomejournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40168-018-0472-x?utm
Immune tolerance attenuates gut dysbiosis, dysregulated uterine gene expression and high-fat diet potentiated preterm birth in mice. https://www.ajog.org/article/S0002-9378(19)30380-1/abstract?utm
Bacterial community in pregnant women linked to preterm birth, study finds. https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2015/08/bacterial-community-in-pregnant-women-linked-to-preterm-birth.html?utm
Maternal lactobacillus crispatus abundance in early gestation associated with decreased incidence of preterm birth. https://www.ajog.org/article/S0002-9378%2823%2901037-2/fulltext?utm
The role of gut microbiota in the pathogenesis and treatment of postpartum depression. https://annals-general-psychiatry.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12991-023-00469-8?utm