Pregnancy is a joyous time in a woman’s life. It is important during this time for women to take care of their bodies; and, adding probiotics may help.

A recent study of pregnant women over the course of six years has found a correlation between probiotics consumption and a decreased risk of late pregnancy complications. Of the more than 33,000 pregnant Norwegian women studied, those that consumed probiotics were 20% less likely to contract late-pregnancy diseases like pre-eclampsia. Pre-eclampsia causes high-blood pressure and protein-filled urine after a woman’s 20th week of pregnancy and, if left untreated, can escalate into eclampsia, a rare but fatal disease.

While researchers factored in other pregnancy-related risks, such as a family history of pre-eclampsia, obesity and high-blood pressure, women consuming probiotics during the time of their pregnancy still showed a lowered chance of contracting pre-eclampsia. Although science has not conclusively found a way to fully prevent pre-eclampsia, consuming probiotics, like EndoMune Advanced, and regular pre-natal doctor visits may help.