Congratulations on your pregnancy! What an exciting, special time of waiting for that new little one to arrive.
I'm sure you are doing all you can to have a healthy, full-term baby by seeing your doctor regularly, getting plenty of fresh air and exercise, and taking your pre-natal vitamins.
Doctors and scientists alike are now advising that you should add a supplement of fish oil during pregnancy along with your pre-natal vitamins.
Prenatal vitamins do not contain the omega 3 fatty acid DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) which is so vital for your baby's brain development, retina formation, and nourishment of the nervous system to name a few.
Fish oil contains the omega 3 fatty acid DHA along with other essential fatty acids that aid in good health.
The placenta utilizes DHA during fetal development, with DHA making up 50% of the retinal structure and 30% of the brain.
There are intervals of concentrated nerve cell development as growth occurs in the womb where the DHA needs actually double.
The Mayo Clinic recommends that women add a fish oil supplement during pregnancy to their normal dietary intake in order to ensure healthy growth of their babies since 98% of them aren't getting enough of the omega 3 fatty acid DHA in the foods they eat.
Along with helping your baby's development, taking fish oil during pregnancy has proven to be equally healthful for you, the mother.
Studies have shown that supplementing with DHA helps reduce the risk of toxemia or pre-eclampsia, a rapid rise in blood pressure that affects 7% of pregnancies.
This same research has also shown significantly less cases of postpartum depression.
Since the FDA and the Environmental Protection Agency have issued warnings for small children and women of childbearing age not to eat more than 12 ounces of seafood per week because of possible contaminants in fish, and have gone on to state that large doses of mercury can damage developing brains, it is no wonder that pregnant women aren't getting enough of the DHA they need from eating fish.
It is good to know that you can still get the health boost of fish without the threat of contaminants in the process by getting the benefits of omega 3 fatty acids in the form of these dietary supplements.
It is important to read the manufacturers information on the package to be sure you are getting the omega 3 fatty acid DHA.
For example, flax oil capsules contain ALA, which is a different form of omega 3 fatty acid, and isn't as effective.
The recommended daily intake of fish oil during pregnancy is 300-1400 mg of DHA.
This is critical during the third trimester and supports the healthy development of the fetus' brain and nerve cell membranes.
After the baby is born, and while breast feeding it is still crucial to continue to take this same dosage since our bodies don't produce this essential nutrient and it is easy for the mother to become deficient after giving birth.
By being health conscious and pro-active in caring for your body during pregnancy, you can be confident that you have done your part in delivering a full term, healthy baby.
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