On This Page

While there isn’t evidence indicating that bovine collagen during pregnancy is harmful, there also isn’t a lot of pregnancy-specific research that says bovine collagen supplements are definitively safe in pregnancy either. So, if you’re considering collagen, treat it like any other dietary supplement: Talk with your prenatal care clinician first, use only products from reputable manufacturers, and prioritize meeting your nutrition needs from food!

Is bovine collagen safe to take while pregnant?

Collagen peptides are regulated in the U.S. as dietary supplements/foods—not as drugs—so they generally do not undergo FDA premarket approval for safety or effectiveness. Many supplements have not been tested in pregnant people, which is why major health authorities recommend talking with a health professional before use in pregnancy.

Potential Benefits of Bovine Collagen

  • Protein contribution: Collagen contains protein and peptides—just keep in mind that collagen is an incomplete protein (it lacks the indispensable amino acid tryptophan), so don’t count on it as your primary protein source.

  • Skin hydration/elasticity: Studies suggest hydrolyzed collagen supplementation can boost skin hydration and elasticity, though the quality of the evidence varies, and bovine collagen has not been studied specifically for pregnancy stretch marks.

  • Joint pain relief: Research on people with knee osteoarthritis indicate that collagen peptides may reduce pain compared with placebos (but once again, these results relate to folks with osteoarthritis—not pregnancy.)

  • Bone and muscle boost: A recent meta-analysis of randomized trials found collagen peptide supplementation (often alongside calcium/vitamin D) was linked to improvements in bone mineral density and some musculoskeletal measures.

Risks or Considerations of Bovine Collagen

  • Supplement quality varies: Supplements don’t get the FDA’s stamp of approval for safety or effectiveness, so you should chat with your doctor before you start using them. 

  • Limited pregnancy-specific data: Many dietary supplements haven’t been tested in pregnant people.

  • Incomplete protein: Collagen lacks tryptophan, so it’s not a complete protein source.

  • Potential allergy/sensitivity: Because bovine collagen is derived from cattle, avoid if you have a known allergy/sensitivity to bovine/beef products. Stop use if you develop symptoms and seek medical care for signs of allergic reaction!

  • Additives: Flavored products may include added sugars, sweeteners, or extra botanicals/ingredients, so read labels carefully.

How to Choose a Safer Product

Look for credible third-party certification/testing programs. For example, NSF reviews labels and tests for contaminants, and their Certified for Sport® program includes additional screening for banned substances. Informed Choice is another testing/quality assurance program that states certified products are regularly tested to minimize risk of contamination.

  • If a product claims third-party certification, verify it directly on the certifier’s website or directory (don’t rely only on marketing language).
  • Avoid products with unnecessary extra botanicals or proprietary blends unless your clinician has reviewed the full ingredient list.
  • Use the labeled serving size unless your clinician advises otherwise, and stop use if you develop side effects.

The Bottom Line on Bovine Collagen

Bovine collagen supplements are not proven unsafe in pregnancy, but they also aren’t well studied in pregnant populations. If you want to use collagen, discuss it with your prenatal care clinician first, and choose a product with credible third-party certification and a simple ingredient list.

More on Healthy Eating During Pregnancy:

 

***

REFERENCES

  • National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Using Dietary Supplements Wisely
  • U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Information for Consumers on Using Dietary Supplements
  • U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Medicine and Pregnancy
  • National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
  • Significant Amounts of Functional Collagen Peptides Can Be Incorporated in the Diet While Maintaining Indispensable Amino Acid Balance, Nutrients, May 2019
  • Effects of Oral Collagen for Skin Anti-Aging: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, Nutrients, April 2023
  • Analgesic efficacy of collagen peptide in knee osteoarthritis: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research, September 2023
  • Efficacy of collagen peptide supplementation on bone and muscle health: a meta-analysis, Frontiers in Nutrition, September 2025
  • U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Questions and Answers on Dietary Supplements
  • NSF: Dietary Supplement and Vitamin Certification
  • Informed Choice: Informed Choice Certification Process

Disclaimer: The information on our site is NOT medical advice for any specific person or condition. It is only meant as general information. If you have any medical questions and concerns about your child or yourself, please contact your health provider.