Gestation, breastfeeding and postpartum depression
Taking Omega-3 in gestation provides several benefits at various levels
The first action carried out by these molecules concerns blood pressure, a factor that influences the risk of preeclampsia.
Preeclampsia is a syndrome in which hypertension and other factors can cause complications for the woman and baby before, during, and after delivery.
The effect exerted on blood vessels also promotes proper blood flow in the placenta, allowing efficient exchange of nutrients and oxygen between mother and baby.
The risk of premature birth is another danger counteracted by these molecules. This ensures, that at the time of birth, the baby's weight is in the normal range and the baby's lungs have fully developed. Likewise, adequate Omega-3 levels reduce the risk of miscarriage.
The development of the fetus, particularly that of its nervous system, also depends heavily on Omega-3s.
Finally, women deficient in Omega-3 during pregnancy are at increased risk of postpartum depression.
Omega-3 in pregnancy: from mother to baby
Omega-3 present in the maternal body is transferred to the baby during pregnancy .
Comparison of fatty acids contained in the red blood cells and plasma of pregnant and nonpregnant women showed that levels ofOmega-3 docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) were significantly lower in the former.
In contrast, the concentrations of EPA and DHA in infants are higher than those found in their mothers.
The main vehicle for the transport of these fatty acids to the placenta would be the red blood cells: this phenomenon exposes the woman to the risk of deficiency of these nutrients.
A woman's Omega-3 reserves are not always sufficient to cope with pregnancy. Every woman should ensure an appropriate supply of these fatty acids before and after the onset of pregnancy.
Succeeding in this task is not complicated. The Omega-3 content of amniotic fluid and breast milk depends on the type of nutrition followed by the woman.
Several studies have shown that these nutrients can be taken in by enriching one's diet with fish.
Adiet rich in Omega-3 can reduce the risk of several complications:
- premature birth
- preeclampsia
- cerebral palsies
Taking Omega-3 during pregnancy does not harm in any way either the baby or the natural course of gestation.
Preeclampsia, a risk for mother and baby
Preeclampsia is a syndrome characterized by blood circulation problems, including elevated blood triglyceride levels. Researchers evaluated the effectiveness of Omega-3s in reducing the risk of this condition.
This analysis is due to the known ability of Omega-3s contained in fish oil to reduce the amounts of triglycerides in the blood, normalize blood pressure as well as improve the functioning of veins and arteries
Specifically, a study published in the journal Epidemiology4 showed that during gestation, a 15% increase in the ratio of Omega-3 to Omega-6 corresponds to a 46% reduction in the risk of preeclampsia.
To reach these conclusions, researchers at the Swedish Medical Center in Seattle, USA, 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.
It was found that patients with lower levels of these fatty acids are about 8 times more likely to develop this complication during gestation than those with higher levels.
Omega-3 and the child's nervous system
Among polyunsaturated fatty acids, DHA has been shown to be particularly beneficial to fetal development. The most significant effect is that exerted on the formation of the baby's nervous system.
Research has shown that this Omega-3 promotes proper brain development and increases achild's intelligence.
What about after delivery?
The benefits of proper Omega-3 intake continue even after the baby is born, affecting both the infant and his or her mother.
Studies have shown that women who consume high amounts of fish oil suffer less from postpartum depression.
In addition, high Omega-3 intake during pregnancy prevents overweight and the risk of elevated blood pressure in the baby. By the age of 15 months, children whose mothers took these nutrients during gestation are characterized by better psychomotor development than others.
Which omega-3s in pregnancy?
For all these reasons, a group of experts, led by Artemis Simopoulos, a nutritionist specializing in the use of Omega-3s, has determined that the optimal amounts of these fatty acids correspond to the intake of 300 milligrams of Omega-3s per day.
The recommendation applies both during the last 3 months of gestation and during breastfeeding. In this way, the proper supply of nutrients to the newborn is ensured and, at the same time, the new mother can replenish Omega-3 for her own body's needs.
However, during gestation, women need to pay close attention to the type of fish or supplements consumed in order to take Omega-3.
In the case of flaxseed oil, a well-known source of these fatty acids, some experts advise against its intake during pregnancy. In fact, its components could affect the activity of some hormones, including estrogen.
In addition, flaxseed oil contains lower amounts of DHA thanfish oil, which is qiundi a better source of Omega-3.
For these reasons, before taking a supplement when you are expecting a baby, you should always seek advice from your doctor.