There are many supplements recommended for use during pregnancy. Fish oil in pregnancy can be beneficial and safe, when it is used correctly. This is because fish oil in pregnancy can benefit both the mother and her unborn child.
Fish oil for the unborn child
Fish oil can help the baby’s body and mind develop properly. Babies whose mothers use fish oil during pregnancy are more likely to be born in good health. It can even have a positive effect after birth on a newborn’s sleeping and behaviour.
One study looked at how the children of about 12,000 women compared when they considered how much fish the mothers ate when they were pregnant. It found that mothers who ate at least two servings of fish a week did better on tests of intelligence, behaviour and development than those children whose mothers ate fish less often than twice a week.
This is because from the third trimester of pregnancy (in other words during the last 3 months or so of pregnancy) need a large amount of DHA (one of the Omega 3 fats found in fish oil) to help form the brain and nervous system.
Another study by researchers at Harvard looked at 6-month-olds and examined their visual recognition scores. Mothers who ate fish (with low mercury) at least twice a week had babies with better scores than those who didn’t.
According to the Harvard Medical School
Several other observational studies of fish intake during pregnancy, and randomized controlled trials of fish oil during pregnancy or breast feeding, have found similar benefits of mothers’ fish or fish oil intake for their babies’ brain development.
So, women should recognize that avoiding seafood altogether is likely to harm their babies’ brain development. The healthiest approach for women who are or may become pregnant, nursing mothers, and young children is to eat two servings per week of fish or other seafood, including up to one serving per week of white (albacore) canned tuna, and avoid the four fish species higher in mercury (shark, swordfish, tilefish, king mackerel). It is important that women recognize that the list of fish and seafood that they should eat is far larger than the few specific species to be avoided.
The safety of eating fish during preganancy
Many mothers worry about eating too much fish when they are pregnant because of worries about passing on mercury contamination to their unborn babies. This is because mercury is a dangerous toxin that can hamper a baby’s brain development. Fortunately there is a large number of fish species that are safe to eat and there are only a few that are high in mercury.
Pregnant women should avoid the following fish:
- shark,
- swordfish,
- king mackerel, and
- tilefish
While most healthy pregnant women can use the form of Omega 3 they prefer without any side effects, the mercury content in some kinds of oily fish must be taken into consideration. Mackerel, swordfish, tuna, and shark should be avoided. Shrimp or salmon are better choices. Since it would be difficult to get a sufficient amount of Omega 3 in your daily diet by eating these products, adding fish oil supplements to your diet is a good idea. It can turn a good diet into a balanced diet. You can enjoy the lower-mercury fish you like the most, and still get the oil you need for both mother’s and baby’s health.
Choosing an Omega 3 fish oil supplement specifically made for use during pregnancy is the easiest, safest method. First, you are assured it is free of mercury. Second, it will eliminate the guesswork about how much to use. On average, 1500 milligrams per day is the recommended amount for pregnant women. However, as is the case with any kind of supplement, you should check with your physician before using fish oil. Whether you are currently pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or breastfeeding your infant, your doctor is the best source of advice. After you receive the go-ahead from your doctor, fish oil benefits will kickstart start both your baby and yourself on the path to a lifetime of good health.
Fish oil supplements in pregnancy
One way of reducing the risks of mercury is to ensure that you only eat fatty fish that are rich in Omega 3 oils such as DHA but are also low in mercury. Another way is to also take fish oil supplements during pregnancy, because most of the better brands are carefully filtered to remove any trace of mercury.
When the mothers continue to use it during the period of time they are breastfeeding, health benefits are passed on to their babies in breast milk. While a developing baby is the utmost priority, Omega 3 fish oil is very beneficial to the mother as well. During the pregnancy, it reduces the risk of pregnancy and birth-related complications. Omega 3 can also provide safeguards to the mother’s health after her baby is born. Postpartum depression is less likely to occur in mothers who use it while they are pregnant. Research studies also show Omega 3 can significantly reduce a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer.
