Growing a baby is one of the most extraordinary things your body will ever do. It’s beautiful, exhausting, and life-changing. From the stretching of your belly to the surge of new blood vessels, your body works tirelessly behind the scenes. And after your baby arrives, the journey continues—with recovery, healing, and adjustment.
Through it all, there’s one quiet but powerful helper that often goes unnoticed: collagen.
Collagen’s Role in Pregnancy
Most people know collagen for its connection to glowing skin or joint support, but during pregnancy, its role expands dramatically.
Skin That Stretches with You
As your belly and body grow, your skin has to stretch rapidly. Collagen helps maintain elasticity and firmness, which may reduce the severity of stretch marks (though those marks are also beautiful reminders of your journey).
Support for Joints and Back
Pregnancy hormones like relaxin loosen your joints to prepare for birth. This flexibility is necessary, but it can also lead to discomfort. Collagen supports ligaments, cartilage, and connective tissues, helping ease the strain on your back and joints.
Stronger Circulation
During pregnancy, blood volume increases significantly. Collagen helps maintain the integrity of blood vessels, supporting healthy circulation for both you and your growing baby.
Why Collagen Still Matters After Birth
Once your little one is here, your body begins the important work of recovery. Whether from a natural delivery or a C-section, healing is a process—and collagen plays a key role.
Healing and Tissue Repair
Collagen supports wound healing and helps your body rebuild skin, muscles, and connective tissues after childbirth.
Hair, Skin, and Nails Postpartum
Postpartum hair shedding is completely normal, but it can still feel discouraging. Collagen provides amino acids like glycine and proline, which nourish hair, skin, and nails during this transitional time.
Supporting Mom Life Movement
Caring for a newborn is a full-body workout—lifting, carrying, breastfeeding in new positions, and moving through sleepless nights. Collagen helps support joint comfort and muscle recovery, so you can feel stronger through the demands of motherhood.
What Type of Collagen Is Best?
Always check with your doctor before adding any supplement during pregnancy or breastfeeding. But if you’re cleared, marine collagen is a popular choice for moms because of its:
-
High bioavailability (easy for the body to absorb)
-
Clean, sustainable sourcing
-
Neutral taste and odor—making it simple to mix into coffee, smoothies, or tea
Ballstad Fish Collagen, made from wild-caught salmon, offers pure, hydrolyzed Type I collagen that blends seamlessly into your daily routine—supporting your body gently and effectively.
The Bottom Line: Caring for You Is Essential
Pregnancy and postpartum aren’t only about the baby—they’re about you, too. Supporting your body with collagen is a simple act of self-care that can help you feel more resilient through stretching, healing, and those precious late-night cuddles.