Omega-3 in pregnancy: benefits for mother and baby

Omega-3 in pregnancy: 6 benefits every mom should know about

1. Blood pressure under control.
2. Well-developed brain.
3. Efficient placenta.
4. Full-term delivery, everything on schedule.
5. Reduced risk of abortion and safer pregnancy.
6. Stable mood for peaceful postpartum.

These are some of the benefits that Omega-3s give you, and they are all scientifically proven realities: at this early stage of life together, these essential fatty acids can make a real difference for you and your baby.

Omega-3 in gestation: 9 months of well-being

You are about to embark on the most exciting journey of your life. And we are here to remind you that taking Omega-3 in gestation provides several benefits. Which ones?

Preeclampsia: When pressure rises, Omega-3s take the field
The first action carried out by essential fatty acids relates to blood pressure, a factor that influences the risk of preeclampsia, a syndrome characterized by blood circulation problems and elevated blood triglyceride levels. This syndrome can lead to complications before, during, and after delivery.

Good news: research shows that Omega-3s in fish oil reduce the risk of developing preeclampsia because:

• They regulate blood pressure.
• They reduce triglyceride levels in the blood.
• They improve the functioning of veins and arteries.

Specifically, a study published in the journal Epidemiology showed that increasing the ratio of Omega-3 to Omega-6 by 15 percent can reduce the risk of preeclampsia by 46 percent. 

A very interesting finding, which was also confirmed by researchers at the Swedish Medical Center in Seattle who measured the amount of Omega-3 contained in the red blood cells of 22 women with preeclampsia and 40 women with normal blood pressure values. What did they find? That patients with lower levels of Omega-3 were about 8 times more likely to develop the syndrome.

Baby's nervous system: support it with Omega-3s

The development of your baby's nervous system also depends on Omega-3s. Did you know? More specifically on a valuable essential fatty acid: DHA, docosahexaenoic acid.

But research shows that Omega-3s can do even more for your baby, they can:

• Promoting proper brain development.
• Increasing his intelligence.
• Preventing overweight and the risk of elevated blood pressure.

At the age of 15 months, children whose mothers took Omega-3 in gestation indeed show improved psychomotor development.

Placenta: more nutrients
Omega-3s improve blood flow. You already know this. But you may not yet know that this effect also promotes proper blood flow in the placenta, allowing more efficient exchange of nutrients and oxygen between you and your baby.

Giving birth on time
The risk of premature birth is another danger that Omega-3s help you counteract. In fact, proper supplementation of essential fatty acids during pregnancy increases the likelihood that the baby's birth weight will be in the normal range, and that his or her lungs will have developed fully. 

Likewise, adequate Omega-3 levels also reduce the risk of abortion.

The prevention of postpartum depression

And after the big day? Omega-3s continue to support you. Studies tell us that mothers-to-be who consume high amounts of Omega-3 rich fish oil are less likely to develop postpartum depression. 

Omega-3 in pregnancy: the transition of benefits from mother to baby

The benefits of Omega-3, as we have seen, are transferred from mother to baby. You may now be wondering how this transfer takes place. 

Scientific studies have revealed that pregnant women have lower levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) than nonpregnant women. At the same time, infants show higher concentrations of essential fatty acids than their mothers. The reason? Omega-3s are transferred from mother to baby.

But how does this passage occur? Through red blood cells, which are the main transport vehicle for fatty acids.

Pregnant women may, because of this "transfer," experience a deficiency of Omega-3. Indeed, reserves of essential fatty acids may not be sufficient to cope with a pregnancy, so it is always important to ensure a proper supply of Omega-3 before and after pregnancy.

How many and which Omega-3s in pregnancy?

Now we come to the more practical directions: what is the amount of Omega-3 to take during pregnancy? 

We are answered by a group of experts, led by Artemis P. Simopoulos, a physician and nutritionist who specializes in the use of Omega-3s: the right amount to take during the last 3 months of gestation and during breastfeeding is 300 milligrams of Omega-3s per day.

With this dosage, the right amount of nutrients is guaranteed to meet the needs of the mother and the newborn. 

But which sources of Omega-3 are we referring to? Not all of them are the same. And not all are recommended. For example: flaxseed oil is not always recommended because its components can affect the activity of certain hormones (such as estrogen). Fish consumption during gestation should also be monitored because of contamination.

So what is the best source of Omega-3 during gestation? Fish oil is an excellent support, and also contains far higher amounts of DHA than flaxseed oil.

One important thing: Before taking a supplement at this delicate stage of your life, seek advice from your doctor.

Remember: nourishing your well-being with Omega-3s is a gift you give your baby to grow strong and healthy. Taking essential fatty acids in gestation has no negative effect on the fetus or the natural course of gestation. Omega-3s only give you benefits.

We are there, from the beginning, to make a difference in your life.