Fish oil in pregnancy - benefits for the body of women and children

Fish oil during pregnancy is very beneficial, as it strengthens woman's body weakened by pregnancy, improves course of pregnancy and foetal development.

Fish oil can be recommended by doctor for almost all pregnant women in absence of contraindications. Pregnant women, who especially need fish oil are:

• Those who have little or no seafood in diet,
• In case of suspicion of intrauterine growth retardation,
• Habitual miscarriage,
• Have increased risk of late toxicity and premature birth.

[1], [2], [3], [4], [5]

Benefits of fish oil during pregnancy

Benefits of fish oil in pregnancy are huge due to omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins E and A, minerals (iodine, calcium, iron, bromine, selenium), anti-oxidants in its contents, that have significant positive impact on body of pregnant woman, foetus as well as on duration of all pregnancy.

Benefits of fish oil for body of pregnant woman:

• improves immunity,
• improves cardiovascular system,
• normalizes higher nervous activity,
• reduces cholesterol,
• inhibits inflammatory phenomena, especially in placenta (due to increase of anti-lipid in it),
• improves condition of mucous membranes, skin, hair and nails,
• reduces symptoms of toxicity (reduces nausea),
• has positive effect on emotional state of women, due to increased production of serotonin (hormone of happiness).

Benefits of fish oil for fetus:

• improves intrauterine feeding of fetal, by improving blood flow in placenta,
• increases weight of newborn,
• reduces risk of allergies in newborn,
• mandatory component of normal formation and development of fetal nervous activity and organs of vision due to content of retinol (vitamin A) in fish oil,
• ensures correct formation and growth of skeleton because it contains vitamin D, which can also be prevention of rickets in future,
• has positive effect on mental development of a child,
• helps to reduce risk of diabetes in child born to mother suffering from it during pregnancy.

Effect of fish oil during pregnancy:

• reduces risk of premature birth,
• helps to reduce risk of pre-eclampsia (toxemia of late),
• improves function of placenta and uterine-placental circulation.

Consumption of fish oil in postpartum period:

• improves production of breast milk;
• reduces risk of depression after childbirth.

Consumption of fish oil during pregnancy is even more beneficial than consumption of seafood, which contain sufficient amounts of omega-3 fatty acids. This is due to fact that they may have toxic materials (e.g. mercury) which are not contained in dosage forms of fish oil (liquid, capsule) which is respectively safer for pregnant woman.

Do not forget about conditions in which fish oil cannot be used during pregnancy:

• Thyroid disease.
• Kidney diseases - urolithiasis (kidney stone disease), chronic renal failure.
• Pulmonary tuberculosis (active form of it).

There should be careful consumption of fish oil together with vitamin complexes, especially D and A,  to ensure that there will be no excess of them (hypervitaminosis), which is worse than lack of them.

Before taking fish oil during pregnancy you should consult doctor (obstetrician-gynecologist, internist), which oversees pregnant woman and if necessary to pass additional examination methods.

[6], [7], [8]

Fish oil during pregnancy planning

Fish oil when planning pregnancy is often necessary because of omega-3 fatty acids which are not synthesised in body but are necessary throughout pregnancy. Deficiency of polyunsaturated acids in woman`s body as well as of vitamins and minerals can negatively impact both her health, and health of unborn child. Therefore, child's health begins at planning stage of pregnancy. Eating fish oil when planning pregnancy, woman fills up possible deficiency of vitamins (especially A and D) and minerals, saturating body with omega-3 fatty acids, which promotes favorable conception and further course of pregnancy, as well as beneficial effects on fetal growth and development. Since foetus receives omega-3 fatty acids from mother through placenta.

Dosage of fish oil during pregnancy

Dosage of fish oil in pregnancy is three hundred milligrams per day; it can be used both in capsules and in liquid form. It should be taken by short courses, as vitamins, contained in it, are able to accumulate. Course is determined by physician, it usually ranges from one to three months. Do not use fish oil on empty stomach, because it can provoke or intensify nausea. Fish oil in pregnancy is desirable to be used in conjunction with vitamin E, as it improves absorption of fish oil. In order to prevent undesirable effects do not exceed dosage above recommended one.

[9], [10], [11], [12]