Taking collagen during pregnancy can do wonders for your health, not just for you but also for your baby.

Your doctor will recommend prenatal vitamins, but taking collagen alongside your supplements during pregnancy is something most pregnant women don't consider.

As the building block to our skin, hair and bones, it's crucial that we have a high level of collagen in our bodies at all times; it's especially important for pregnant women, as most of the essential vitamins and nutrients go to the baby before nourishing the mother's body.

It's not always possible to get all of the nutrients we need through food alone; however, collagen supplements are a guaranteed way to get all of the nutrients you need to stay in the best condition possible throughout the whole pregnancy.

Still not convinced? Here are seven benefits of taking collagen supplements during pregnancy that are backed by scientific research:

Why you should be taking collagen during pregnancy

1. Collagen reduces the appearance of stretch marks

While stretch marks are by no means the most painful or serious complication of pregnancy, they can negatively impact self esteem.

When your body is already going through so many changes, any measure you can take to reduce permanent damage or scarring will be welcomed.

You can spend a fortune on creams or massage coconut oil into your body nightly in an attempt to prevent the formation of stretch marks, or you could opt for an easier solution.

Taking collagen during pregnancy can help to give your skin moisture and elasticity, allowing your baby bump to expand without worrying about the formation of stretch marks.

Studies support this, and researchers have found an increased presence of collagen fibres in participants with minimal or no stretch marks.

2. It strengthens teeth and promotes healthier gums

Oral health is especially important during pregnancy and you've undoubtedly heard a few horror stories about toothache and bleeding gums.

Hormonal changes over the nine months can cause gum disease and may even lead to tooth loss.

However, all hope is not lost as collagen supplements can help to keep your mouth and gums healthy during pregnancy.

Collagen naturally occurs in the papilla (the connective tissues surrounding your teeth) and supplements can help to restore the amount of the protein available so that your gums are no longer inflamed or bleeding.

Collagen also plays a vital role in improving bone strength and density; this also applies to the bones in your mouth.

After taking supplements regularly, you won't need to worry about tooth loss any longer.

3. Joint pain is reduced

Bones and joints are really pushed to their limits during pregnancy as they are made to accommodate a lot of extra weight and bodily changes.

This pain can be debilitating for some women who find it increasingly difficult to remain active or even get out of bed.

Luckily, collagen supplements exist to combat this issue, and they are renowned for their ability to lubricate joints, which reduces inflammation and pain as a result.

Numerous studies indicate that collagen supplements have been shown to combat even the most severe joint pain associated with arthritis and osteoporosis.

4. Collagen can aid with hair growth

During pregnancy women can look forward to strong nails and lustrous hair.

The real problems begin after giving birth. Postpartum hair loss is something most women dread, but it's incredibly common to lose a fair amount of hair three months after giving birth.

However, if you regularly take collagen supplements throughout your pregnancy, you might be able to avoid or lessen the extent of postpartum hair loss.

Collagen is essential for hair growth as your body uses the amino acids in collagen to reinforce hair follicles and help new ones to grow.

But don't just rely on foods to give you essential collagen – supplements give your body the perfect amount of collagen so that it can improve the health of your body while also attending to any aesthetic concerns

5. Glycine improves sleep quality

Getting a full eight hours sleep during pregnancy can be difficult, especially near the end.

Your bump can make it difficult to find a comfortable sleeping position and your baby might decide to wake up and kick just as you are drifting off.

While you are unable to take most conventional sleep medications, you might be surprised to hear that collagen supplements can help you to get a great night's sleep, so you can wake up feeling well rested.

Collagen is a complex protein made up from a chain of 18 amino acids, one of which is called glycine.

Studies have found glycine to be an effective and safe sleep remedy if taken regularly.

6. It has immunity boosting properties

During pregnancy nothing is more important than staying healthy for the sake of you and your baby.

It's vital for your immune system to be in fighting form, as something as simple as a cold or flu can pose a health risk to your unborn child.

Taking collagen during pregnancy can prevent you from contracting any illnesses.

Its immunity boosting properties have been recognised in several scientific studies; participants with naturally lower levels of collagen found it harder to fight off any bad bacteria.

7. It can help with stomach issues

As your internal organs shift to accommodate a baby you might notice some gastrointestinal discomfort.

Diarrhoea and vomiting are the most common symptoms associated with pregnancy and they can make life miserable, especially during the first trimester.

Some women might even experience ulcerative colitis, a condition that causes the large intestine to become damaged and inflamed; ulcers may even form on the tissue of the intestinal tract.

Studies have shown collagen to play an important role in healing internal tissue damage; it can even help to soothe the pain associated with the internal ulcerations.

Why Absolute Collagen?

Taking collagen during pregnancy should be a priority if you want to remain in peak physical health.

Absolute Collagen’s ready-mixed liquid sachets are an easy way to ensure that you’re getting all of the support you need for a happy and healthy pregnancy.

Each sachet contains 8 grams of hydrolysed marine collagen, as well as 7.7 grams of protein.

They’re portable, meaning you can stick them in your bag and take them on the go. Even after giving birth you’ll still benefit from a daily dose of collagen.

Try Absolute Collagen for yourself and see how they can make your pregnancy easier and more comfortable.