Pregnant and fish oil

1. It is recommended to eat a portion of oily fish at least once a week during pregnancy. The fats from the fish, also called the fish oil, are badly needed by pregnant women for the development of the baby. Yet many pregnant women do not find it easy to adhere to this advice, because only ten percent eat enough fish. For the remaining 90 percent, fish oil is available in capsules, but are capsules just as good as eating fatty fish?

Fish oil during pregnancy

1. Although fish oil has many health benefits during pregnancy, the smell and taste of fish can sometimes be off-putting in pregnant women. This may also be the reason that about 90 percent of pregnant women do not eat the recommended amount of fish. Although eating fish is preferred, fish oil capsules can help if fish is not tolerated during pregnancy. If eating a fish oil capsule also gives too much regurgitation, one can opt for krill oil capsules, which have less fish taste and do not cause regurgitation. Even after childbirth and while breastfeeding, it is advisable to get enough fish oil. In this way, the mother can restore the level of DHA and EPA and the baby, whose brain continues to grow for a long time after birth, receives the omega-3 fatty acids through the mother's milk. Especially if the baby was born prematurely, DHA and EPA are important, because premature babies cannot produce enough of these fatty acids themselves.

2. Although fish oil has many health benefits during pregnancy, the smell and taste of fish can sometimes be off-putting in pregnant women. This may also be the reason that about 90 percent of pregnant women do not eat the recommended amount of fish. Although eating fish is preferred, fish oil capsules can help if fish is not tolerated during pregnancy. If eating a fish oil capsule also gives too much regurgitation, one can opt for krill oil capsules, which have less fish taste and no regurgitation. Even after childbirth and while breastfeeding, it is advisable to get enough fish oil. In this way, the mother can restore the level of DHA and EPA and the baby, whose brain continues to grow for a long time after birth, receives the omega-3 fatty acids through the mother's milk. Especially if the baby was born prematurely, DHA and EPA are important, because premature babies cannot produce enough of these fatty acids themselves.