What to Know about Taking DHA During Pregnancy
Medically Reviewed By Margaret Etudo, BPharm. Written By The Vitamins For Woman Team.
Are you concerned about providing adequate nutrients for your baby? DHA can help you make sure of that.
DHA or Docosahexaenoic acid is a type of essential fatty acid. This acid plays a vital role in the development of your baby’s brain, vision and weight at delivery.
Expecting a baby means that part of your concern is whether they are getting the required nutrients while in your womb.
Because we know that pregnancy can be overwhelming and scary, below is a simple piece on DHA and how it can benefit you and your baby.
Why Is DHA Important During Pregnancy?
Essential fatty acids cannot be produced in the body rather they are required for maintenance of optimal health. DHA is one of the essential acids, hence it can only be obtained from the diet. These fatty acids are critical for fetal neurodevelopment and may be important for the timing of gestation and birth weight.
Now, the major source of these fatty acids is seafood. But you are only allowed to eat two servings of seafood each week while pregnant to prevent mercury toxicity. Thankfully, these supplements help to make up for that deficiency and ensure that your baby develops optimally.
DHA supplements don’t just help your baby but also help you have a balanced mood towards the end of the pregnancy. These supplements have been shown to prevent preterm labor and delivery, lowering the risk of preeclampsia.
What Does DHA Do During Each Trimester?
Research shows that fetal brain development begins around 5 weeks into the pregnancy. As such, DHA plays a role in ensuring optimal development of the brain and retina, hence its importance in the first trimester.
In humans, the third trimester-placental supply of maternal DHA to the growing fetus is critically important as the developing brain requires DHA during this period. Additionally, DHA is also involved in the early placentation process necessary for complete placental development.
How Much DHA Is Required During Pregnancy?
Omega-3 fatty acids such as DHA are required more during pregnancy as it plays a vital role in the development of the brain and the eyes.
Some animal studies have shown that insufficient quantity of DHA during pregnancy is associated with visual and behavioral deficits that cannot be corrected with postnatal supplementation.
For these reasons, it is important for omega-3 fatty acids to be supplied adequately to the fetus. To encourage pleasant pregnancy outcomes and fetal health, experts have recommended that pregnant women consume at least 200mg of DHA daily.
What Can Happen With a DHA Deficiency?
If you have an inadequate level of DHA during pregnancy it can affect infant development.
Some research suggests that if you don’t take enough DHA from food or supplements, your growing baby will be ultimately affected, leading to their brain development amongst other abnormalities.
Remember that the majority of the body’s DHA is primarily found in the brain. This means that when DHA is insufficient during pregnancy, the fetus can have poorly developed cognitive and visual functions.
Who Needs a Supplement?
During pregnancy, dietary restrictions often make it challenging to obtain all the necessary nutrients from food alone. This highlights the importance of vitamin supplements, ensuring both you and your developing baby receive adequate nutrition.
Given your body’s increased demands while pregnant, it’s working overtime to nourish both you and your baby. Supplements play a crucial role in supporting your body’s efforts to provide sufficient nutrients throughout this phase of life.
What to Look For?
Despite the importance of DHA and the vital role that it plays in fetal development during pregnancy, not every prenatal vitamin has DHA, and as such you will need additional supplements containing DHA.
Avoid brands known to engage in dishonest and misleading practices, such as false claims and inadequate disclosures. Go for products made by brands with a good reputation. It is much better if a brand submits its products for third-party testing. This helps you be sure that what you’re seeing on the label is what you’re getting.
Our pick of the best DHA Supplements for Pregnancy
Below are examples of the best DHA supplements that would give you and your baby an adequate quantity of DHA that you both need.
4.2
- Form: Capsule
- Dose: 2 capsules per day
- Certifications: Third-party tested for purity and potency, non-GMO Project verified, Made Traceable.
4.6
- Form: Soft gel
- Dose: 1 soft gel per day
- Certifications: USP verified
3.3
- Form: Capsule
- Dose: 1 packet (5 capsules) per day
- Certifications: Third-party tested for purity and potency, non-GMO
Final Thoughts For You
Bringing a child into this world is a heroic feat, and we are dedicated to supporting you with the best prenatal vitamins and supplements, ensuring proper nutrition during your pregnancy. Our selection focuses on health, safety, quality, and nutritional value.
Moreover, this article provides essential information on DHA, highlighting its benefits for your mood during pregnancy and its crucial role in your baby’s proper development.
- Coletta JM, Bell SJ, Roman AS. Omega-3 fatty acids and pregnancy. Rev Obstet Gynecol. 2010;3(4):163-171.
- Greenberg JA, Bell SJ, Ausdal WV. Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation during pregnancy. Rev Obstet Gynecol. 2008;1(4):162-169.
- Basak S, Mallick R, Duttaroy AK. Maternal docosahexaenoic acid status during pregnancy and its impact on infant neurodevelopment. Nutrients. 2020;12(12):3615.
- Jiang Y, Chen Y, Wei L, et al. DHA supplementation and pregnancy complications. Journal of Translational Medicine. 2023;21(1):394.
- Prenatal omega-3 fatty acids: review and recommendations. Journal of Midwifery & Women’s Health. 2010;55(6):520-528.
medically reviewed by margaret etudo, BPharm. written by the vitamins for woman team.
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hey, i was wondering if any1 knows how to figure out how much DHA is actually enough? got kinda confused with so much info out there. wanna make sure i’m doing right by my little bean.
Excellent article, Vitamins For Woman. The emphasis on DHA during pregnancy is crucial. My wife increased her intake, and we noticed a significant difference in her overall health. Could you recommend specific foods rich in DHA?
lol didn’t even know what DHA was till now. gotta start checking my vitamins i guess. thanks for the heads up.
I appreciate the focus on DHA here, but it’s also important to highlight that excessive intake can have side effects. It would be beneficial to discuss the possible risks associated with high dosages of DHA.
oh wow, didnt know about the side effects. can u share more info or how to avoid taking too much?
Indeed, balance is key. A dietitian should help set the right DHA intake level, especially during pregnancy. Always consult with a healthcare provider.
started taking DHA so my baby’s brain is ready to shop with mom lol
so you’re saying DHA is like, the ultimate power-up for babies? cool cool, my wife will dig this info.
While DHA is important, it’s also crucial to mention that vegetarians and vegans can source DHA from algae-based supplements. Not just fish or fish oil.
Did you know that DHA aligns your baby’s brain waves with the universe’s frequency? Nature’s way of syncing us all.
Heard bout DHA from a buddy. Didn’t think it was a big deal but this article makes a lot of sense. Gonna make sure my wife gets on it. Big thanks!
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