Can I take collagen during pregnancy? What you need to know
Scarlett Gray
BNutrDiet (Hons), APD, SDA
Reviewed by Scarlett Gray · About Scarlett
Accredited Practising Dietitian with Dietitians Australia (APD200526). Accredited Sports Dietitian and Credentialled Eating Disorder Clinician. First Class Honours in Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of Newcastle.
Scarlett Gray
BNutrDiet (Hons), APD, SDA
Accredited Practising Dietitian with Dietitians Australia (APD200526). Accredited Sports Dietitian and Credentialled Eating Disorder Clinician. First Class Honours in Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of Newcastle.
Can I take collagen during pregnancy? What you need to know
Pregnancy brings enormous changes to your body — hormones shift, skin stretches, joints loosen, and your nutritional needs change significantly. It's natural to think about what might help support you through it, and marine collagen is one supplement that often comes up in conversation. Here's a straightforward look at what collagen may help with during pregnancy, what the current evidence says, and — most importantly — when to speak to your GP or midwife.
How collagen may help during pregnancy
There are a few areas where collagen supplementation may be relevant during and after pregnancy. It's worth remembering that most of the clinical research on collagen has been done in non-pregnant adults — so what follows is what we know about collagen generally, applied thoughtfully to the pregnancy context.
Skin elasticity
Pregnancy involves significant skin stretching, particularly across the belly, breasts, hips and thighs. Collagen is a structural protein in skin that supports elasticity and hydration. It's worth being honest here: there is no strong evidence that collagen supplementation prevents stretch marks. Whether stretch marks develop is largely genetic and depends on how much and how quickly the skin stretches. What supporting collagen intake may help with is overall skin comfort and healing, both during and after pregnancy.
Joints and ligaments
During pregnancy, the body produces more of a hormone called relaxin, which naturally loosens ligaments in preparation for birth. This can lead to joint discomfort — particularly through the pelvis, hips and lower back. Collagen is a key structural protein in joints, tendons and ligaments, and emerging research suggests that supplementation may support joint comfort. This may be relevant during pregnancy, when your body is carrying more weight, and postpartum, when you're moving and lifting differently.
Hair condition
Hair changes during and after pregnancy are very common. Some people find their hair feels thicker during pregnancy (thanks to hormonal changes reducing normal shedding), while postpartum hair shedding — often around three to four months after birth — is a well-known experience. Collagen provides amino acids the body uses for many tissues including hair, and some evidence suggests supplementation may support hair condition over time. That said, the evidence base for hair is still smaller than for skin or joints, so this is an area where more research is emerging.
Featured Product
Premium Liquid Marine Collagen
10,000mg of clinically studied marine collagen daily — for visibly smoother, firmer, more hydrated skin in as little as 28 days.
Shop Liquid Collagen →Is collagen safe during pregnancy?
It's worth being clear about the state of the evidence here. There is not a great deal of scientific research specifically on collagen supplementation in pregnant people — not because collagen is known to be unsafe, but because researchers don't typically test supplements on pregnant populations, for safety and ethical reasons. That's the case for most supplements, not just collagen.
What we do know is that collagen is a food-derived protein, and the amino acids that make up hydrolysed collagen (glycine, proline, hydroxyproline) are the same amino acids the body encounters in a normal diet. On that basis, collagen is generally considered safe during pregnancy.
That said, you should always talk to a healthcare professional — your GP, midwife or obstetrician — if you have any questions or concerns about supplementation during pregnancy.
Potential risks and things to be aware of
While collagen is generally considered safe during pregnancy, a few things are worth being aware of:
- Allergies — if you have a fish allergy, avoid marine collagen. If you have a beef allergy, avoid bovine collagen. Kollo Premium Liquid Marine Collagen is made from marine collagen and is not suitable for anyone with a fish allergy.
- Mild side effects — some people experience mild digestive changes or nausea when starting a new supplement. Nausea during pregnancy is also common in itself, which can make new supplements harder to tolerate in the first trimester.
- Other ingredients — some collagen supplements are combined with additional herbs, botanicals or high-dose vitamins that may not be suitable during pregnancy. Always check the full ingredient list against advice from your midwife or GP.
- Third-party testing — during pregnancy, product purity matters even more than usual. Look for supplements that are independently tested. Kollo is Informed Choice certified, meaning every batch is tested for prohibited substances.
When to speak to your GP or midwife
Any time you're considering a new supplement during pregnancy, it's worth a quick conversation with your GP or midwife. That's especially true if you:
- Have any medical condition, or take prescription medication
- Have a history of food allergies
- Are in a high-risk pregnancy or under specialist care
- Have any concerns about a specific ingredient
- Are unsure whether a supplement duplicates something already in your prenatal multivitamin
Kollo Premium Liquid Marine Collagen
Kollo Premium Liquid Marine Collagen contains 10,000mg (10g) of Naticol® marine collagen per daily sachet, alongside vitamin C, a B vitamin complex and l-lysine. The formula is straightforward — no botanicals or high-dose extras that complicate supplement choice during pregnancy — and every batch is independently tested to Informed Choice standards. It's not suitable for anyone with a fish allergy. As with any supplement, please check with your midwife or GP before starting during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take collagen while pregnant?
Collagen is generally considered safe during pregnancy, but the research specifically on pregnant people is limited. Always check with your midwife, GP or obstetrician before starting a new supplement during pregnancy.
Is marine collagen safe during pregnancy?
Marine collagen is derived from fish, and there is no strong evidence that it is unsafe during pregnancy for people without a fish allergy. However, research specific to pregnancy is limited. Speak to your midwife or GP first. If you have a fish allergy, avoid marine collagen.
Does collagen help with stretch marks?
Whether or not you develop stretch marks is largely genetic and depends on how much and how quickly your skin stretches. There is no strong evidence that collagen supplementation prevents stretch marks. What it may support is overall skin elasticity, comfort and hydration.
Can I take collagen while breastfeeding?
Collagen is a food-derived protein and is generally considered safe during breastfeeding. As with pregnancy, the specific research is limited, so speak to your GP or midwife before starting any new supplement while breastfeeding.
Are there side effects of taking collagen during pregnancy?
Collagen is well tolerated by most people. Some may experience mild digestive changes or nausea when starting a new supplement. Nausea is also common in pregnancy itself, especially in the first trimester. Anyone with a fish allergy should avoid marine collagen.
For the full picture on liquid marine collagen — dose, sources, research and how to choose the right supplement — read our complete guide to liquid marine collagen.
Kollo Health was co-founded by Jenni Falconer — TV presenter, Smooth Radio breakfast host, ten-time London Marathon runner and host of the RunPod podcast. Read her story and why she created Kollo.
