Fish oil is an essential part of a healthy diet for most people. Research suggests that it can have benefits when taken as a supplement, including reducing the risk of heart disease and lowering blood pressure and triglyceride levels. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which are present in fish, nuts, and other oils but are not generated by the body, are found in fish oils.

The American Pregnancy Association recommends that pregnant women eat at least 8 ounces of fish per week because fish contains protein, vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

If you're pregnant or planning to become pregnant soon, you might wonder if you should take fish oil supplements to get these benefits. What you should know about using fish oil while pregnant is provided below.

What are the benefits of taking fish oil during pregnancy?

Taking fish oil during pregnancy has several benefits, including fewer postpartum mood disorders, reduced risk of preterm labor, and reduced pregnancy complications.

One study followed women who took fish oil supplements while they were pregnant. Researchers found that these women had fewer mood disorders, such as depression or anxiety, after giving birth than women who did not take fish oil.

Additionally, fish oil reduces the risk of preterm labor when a woman delivers her baby too early. Fish oil can also reduce the risk of certain pregnancy complications, such as preeclampsia. Fish oil has also been linked to improved infant development, including better eye and brain functioning and higher intelligence.

One large study followed kids from birth to age seven, comparing those whose mothers took fish oil while pregnant with those whose mothers did not. The study found that kids whose mothers took fish oil during pregnancy had improved attention, language, and problem-solving skills compared with those whose mothers did not.

How does fish oil benefit pregnancy?

There are several ways that fish oil can benefit pregnancy. It can help you get enough nutrients, reduce the risk of health conditions, and may even positively affect your baby.

Fish oil can help you get enough nutrients. Pregnancy requires a lot of nutrients, including protein, iron, and folic acid. You can meet your daily nutrient needs by eating a healthy diet. However, some nutrients may be hard to get enough of, including omega-3 fatty acids like EPA and DHA.

These acids are found in salmon, sardines, mackerel, and other types of fish. Taking fish oil as a supplement during pregnancy can help you get enough of these omega-3 fatty acids. Studies show that women who bring them during pregnancy have less risk of low birth weight and preterm birth than women who don't take fish oil.

Reduce the risk of health conditions

Fish oil may also reduce the risk of certain health conditions, including preeclampsia and gestational diabetes. Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication in which a woman has high blood pressure and headaches.

It can also cause swelling in the hands and feet, headaches, and trouble with vision. Gestational diabetes is a condition in which a woman's blood sugar is too high. Left untreated, it can increase the risk of complications, including a baby being too large or a woman having a difficult delivery.

It may even have a positive effect on your baby.

Finally, fish oil may have a positive effect on your baby. One study found that babies whose mothers took fish oil while pregnant had a better eye and brain development than babies whose mothers didn't.

Another study linked higher fish oil intake during pregnancy with higher IQ at age 7. Experts need to figure out why this is. However, they think it might be because children born with higher levels of certain nutrients show more brain development.

Sufficient studies do not establish the safety of using fish oil supplements while pregnant. Some research does suggest that it can be helpful.

However, there is also evidence that it may not be entirely safe for your baby. There is some concern that fish oil may increase the risk of certain medical conditions during pregnancy.

Taking too much fish oil may increase the risk of a disease called fetal dysregulation. Fetal dysregulation is when something happens during pregnancy that causes the baby to develop abnormally.

According to research, some pregnancies may result in fetal dysregulation when high quantities of fish oil are consumed. However, the risk of fetal dysregulation may be lower if you take less than 5 grams of fish oil daily.

Should you take fish oil while pregnant?

You should take fish oil while pregnant if you do not eat enough fish or fish oil. However, it would be best if you were careful not to take too much while pregnant.

Talk to your doctor about how much fish oil is right for you. One study found that women who took 6 grams of fish oil per day had a lower risk of certain complications. In the same study, women who took 9 grams of fish oil per day had an increased risk of fetal dysregulation. Therefore, 6 grams per day may be appropriate for most women who want to take fish oil during pregnancy.

Which brand of fish oil is best for pregnancy?

When choosing, look for a fish oil supplement that has undergone quality control. It should be free of mercury and other contaminants. The best fish oil brands for pregnancy are also free of flavorings and other additives.

Choosing a safe brand for you and your baby is also essential. Ideally, the formula should be pure fish oil without additional ingredients. The most excellent way to ensure you don't consume too much mercury or other pollutants is through this.

Some brands add Vitamin E to reduce the risk of fish oil going bad. However, this can cause an imbalance in the amount of Vitamin E in your body. If you take fish oil that has Vitamin E, make sure you take less than 15 IU.

How much should you take and which kind is best?

If you take fish oil during pregnancy, you should aim for at least 2 grams of EPA and DHA daily. To get 2 grams of EPA and DHA per day, you'd need to take a fish oil supplement with at least 1 gram of EPA and 1 gram of DHA per day.

You might want to take a fish oil supplement and other necessary minerals during pregnancy. Some fish oil supplements add other nutrients like Vitamin E or Vitamin B12. However, these supplements are more likely to have additives that aren't safe for pregnancy.

Conclusion

Fish oil is an essential part of a healthy diet for most people. Research suggests that it can have benefits when taken as a supplement, including reducing the risk of heart disease and lowering blood pressure and triglyceride levels. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which cannot be made by the body but are present in fish, nuts, and other oils, are found in fish oils.

The American Pregnancy Association recommends that pregnant women eat at least 8 ounces of fish per week because fish contains protein, vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

If you're pregnant or planning to become pregnant soon, you might wonder if you should take fish oil supplements to get these benefits. Here are some essential facts regarding taking fish oil when pregnant.