Creatine has traditionally been recognized as one of the most researched supplements in sports nutrition, with decades of evidence supporting its role in muscle energy, strength, exercise performance, and recovery. However, recent scientific interest has expanded beyond athletic performance, with researchers exploring creatine’s broader role in cellular energy metabolism, brain function, aging, and women’s health. One emerging area of research is creatine metabolism during pregnancy. Scientists are investigating how creatine metabolism changes during pregnancy and whether creatine availability may be biologically important during this demanding physiological period.
However, it is important to understand the current evidence clearly. Research into creatine for pregnant women is still developing. Importantly, scientific interest should not be confused with a clinical recommendation. Although researchers are increasingly studying creatine metabolism during pregnancy, evidence is not yet sufficient to establish routine creatine supplementation as part of prenatal care. Research is currently focused on understanding creatine metabolism, physiological requirements during pregnancy, and whether supplementation warrants further clinical study.
Creatine is a naturally occurring compound produced by the human body and stored primarily in skeletal muscle. It is also obtained through dietary sources such as meat and fish. Inside cells, creatine plays an important role in energy production through the creatine-phosphocreatine system. This system helps regenerate adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the primary energy currency used by cells.
ATP is required for almost every biological process, including:
Because creatine participates in cellular energy metabolism throughout the body, research has expanded beyond sports performance into areas including brain function, healthy aging, muscle health, and other physiological settings involving changing energy demands.
The same biological mechanisms underlying creatine’s established role in sports nutrition are now being studied in other populations and physiological states where energy demands may change.
Pregnancy requires substantial metabolic adaptation. The maternal body supports not only its own energy requirements but also the development of a growing fetus. Researchers are interested in understanding whether creatine metabolism changes during pregnancy and whether creatine availability plays a role in supporting normal biological processes. One reason creatine has gained attention is its involvement in energy transfer.
Pregnancy involves substantial energy demands associated with maternal physiological adaptation, placental function, fetal growth, and tissue development.
Researchers are studying whether creatine availability may influence these energy pathways. However, scientific investigation does not automatically mean supplementation is recommended. Many nutrients and biological compounds are studied during pregnancy before researchers understand their complete role. Creatine is currently in this exploratory phase. The focus of this research is not currently on recommending creatine supplements during pregnancy, but rather on understanding creatine metabolism and its potential relevance to maternal and fetal physiology.
The body’s energy systems are complex, and creatine is one part of that system. Creatine helps maintain ATP availability by acting as a rapid energy buffer. When cells require quick energy, phosphocreatine donates a phosphate group to help regenerate ATP.
This mechanism explains why creatine is widely used by athletes.
During exercise, muscles experience high energy demands. Creatine supplementation can increase intramuscular creatine stores, which helps support rapid ATP regeneration during repeated bouts of high-intensity activity. Researchers are now investigating whether similar energy-supporting mechanisms may be relevant in other tissues.
For example, studies have explored creatine’s relationship with:
This broader understanding has contributed to growing interest in advanced creatine research. Researchers are now studying how creatine metabolism functions in tissues beyond skeletal muscle and during physiological periods characterized by changing energy demands.
Current research examining creatine during pregnancy is still considered early-stage. Some researchers have proposed that creatine may be biologically relevant because pregnancy involves increased energy demands and changes in nutrient metabolism.
A review published in Nutrients explored creatine metabolism during pregnancy and discussed how creatine may be involved in maternal and fetal energy pathways. The authors highlighted the need for more research to determine whether creatine supplementation could have future applications.
Preclinical research has also investigated whether creatine metabolism may be relevant to fetal tissues during periods of metabolic stress. These findings remain investigational and should not be interpreted as evidence that maternal creatine supplementation improves fetal development.
At this stage, researchers are studying biological mechanisms rather than making supplementation recommendations.
One area of interest is how pregnancy affects creatine metabolism, synthesis, dietary availability, and tissue concentrations. Because pregnancy involves significant physiological adaptation, researchers are examining whether maternal creatine metabolism changes throughout pregnancy.
Understanding these changes could help scientists identify whether creatine plays a larger nutritional role than previously understood.
The placenta plays a critical role in transferring nutrients and supporting communication between mother and developing fetus. Researchers are investigating how the creatine-phosphocreatine system is regulated within maternal, placental, and fetal tissues and how creatine availability changes throughout pregnancy. This research aims to better understand normal physiology rather than establish supplementation guidelines.
Creatine’s role in cellular energy has made it an interesting research topic in areas involving growth and development. Scientists continue exploring how energy systems function during pregnancy and whether compounds involved in energy metabolism may influence biological processes. More controlled human studies are needed before conclusions can be drawn.
Although early findings are interesting, there are several important limitations.
Much of the evidence supporting potential applications of creatine during pregnancy has historically come from mechanistic and preclinical research. Human observational studies and early supplementation trials are now emerging, but substantially more clinical research is needed before routine supplementation recommendations can be established. Large-scale human clinical trials are needed to understand:
Currently, creatine is not established as a routine prenatal supplement. Healthcare recommendations during pregnancy are based on strong evidence regarding safety and effectiveness. Creatine research in this area has not reached that stage.
Pregnancy is highly individual. Nutritional needs can vary based on health history, diet, medical conditions, and pregnancy circumstances. Anyone who is pregnant, breastfeeding, or trying to conceive should speak with a qualified healthcare professional before using supplements.
Pregnancy research is part of a broader expansion in creatine science. Creatine continues to be studied across areas including exercise performance, muscle health, aging, and brain energy metabolism. However, findings in these populations cannot automatically be applied to pregnancy, which requires its own safety and efficacy research.
Women have historically been underrepresented in sports nutrition research, including some areas of creatine research. That gap has contributed to increased scientific interest in creatine across different stages of the female lifespan.
Pregnancy, however, should be considered separately from general women’s health or sports nutrition. Evidence demonstrating benefits or safety in nonpregnant adults cannot automatically be applied to pregnancy. Women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or trying to conceive should discuss supplement use with their healthcare professional.
Creatine research is expanding into fascinating new areas beyond traditional sports nutrition. Scientists are investigating how creatine metabolism may relate to pregnancy, cellular energy, brain function, and women’s health. However, emerging research should be viewed carefully.
Current evidence is not sufficient to establish routine creatine supplementation as a standard component of prenatal care. Current evidence is not sufficient to establish routine creatine supplementation as a standard component of prenatal care. Although human research is beginning to emerge, larger and longer-duration controlled studies are needed to better understand safety, dosing, potential benefits, and long-term maternal and child outcomes.
As research develops, our understanding of creatine may continue to expand — but evidence-based guidance should always come first.
This article is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to provide medical advice or recommend creatine supplementation during pregnancy. Research in this area remains emerging. Anyone who is pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to conceive, or considering supplement use during pregnancy should consult a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to their nutrition or supplementation plan.
Muccini, A. M., Tran, N. T., de Guingand, D. L., Philip, M., Della Gatta, P. A., Galinsky, R., Sherman, L. S., Kelleher, M. A., Palmer, K. R., Berry, M. J., & Ellery, S. J. (2021). Creatine metabolism in female reproduction, pregnancy and newborn health. Nutrients, 13(2), 490. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13020490
de Guingand, D. L., Palmer, K. R., Callahan, D. L., et al. (2024). Creatine and pregnancy outcomes: A prospective cohort study of creatine metabolism in low-risk pregnant females. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 119(3), 838–849.
Smith-Ryan, A. E., Cabre, H. E., Eckerson, J. M., & Candow, D. G. (2021). Creatine supplementation in women’s health: A lifespan perspective. Nutrients, 13(3), 877.
Dickinson, H., Ellery, S., Ireland, Z., LaRosa, D., Snow, R., & Walker, D. W. (2014). Creatine supplementation during pregnancy: Summary of experimental studies suggesting a treatment to improve fetal and neonatal morbidity and reduce mortality in high-risk human pregnancy. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 14, 150.
Naidu, M., de Guingand, D. L., et al. (2025). Open label, dose escalation trial of creatine monohydrate in pregnancy. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology.
Research evaluating creatine supplementation during human pregnancy is emerging, but the available evidence is not yet sufficient to establish routine use during pregnancy. Anyone who is pregnant or considering pregnancy should discuss supplementation with their healthcare professional.
Research is ongoing, but creatine is not currently established as a standard prenatal supplement. A healthcare provider can provide guidance based on individual circumstances.
Researchers are studying creatine because it plays an important role in cellular energy metabolism, while pregnancy involves substantial changes in maternal energy and nutrient metabolism. Scientists are investigating how creatine metabolism changes throughout pregnancy and whether those changes have physiological significance for the mother, placenta, and developing fetus.
Creatine helps regenerate ATP, supporting energy production in muscles and other tissues. It is best known for supporting exercise performance and muscle function.
Yes. Human observational research has examined creatine metabolism throughout pregnancy, and early supplementation trials have begun evaluating the safety and tolerability of creatine monohydrate during pregnancy. However, the evidence remains limited, and larger controlled studies are needed before routine recommendations can be made.
Evidence-based creatine guidance
