Is Fish Oil Suitable for Pregnant lady?

Customer A : I am pregnant. Can i take fish oil?? Is it safe ??

Customer B : What are the advantages of fish oil for pregnant lady or the baby?

Omega 3 ( DHA & EPA)

Benefits of fish oil for both pregnant ladies and babies: 

       Many believes that taking DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), especially during the 3rd trimester of pregnancy can help in the development of baby's brain, eyes & central nervous system. Other benefits of fish oil includes reducing pre-term labour and delivery and increase birth weight. Also, it may decrease mother's risk of depression.

Benefits of consuming DHA

         However, currently there is not enough evidence to draw any firm conclusions that fish oil can really help in the development of cognition in babies.

Is it safe to take fish oil during pregnancy?
        There are some unpleasant effects that some mother-to-be may experience, e.g : reflux or 'fishy burps', stomach upsets and maybe fishy taste in the mouth. These are usually rare and not dangerous and usually go away with time or when you stop consuming these products. 

Some products that are available in Malaysia

There are many brands available in the market today. So, how do we choose?? 

1) The right proportion of DHA : EPA
2) Odour & taste : should be fresh and odourless ( risk of vomiting if not)
3) Mercury free

Points to remember :
When we mention fish oil in this article, we are not referring to cod liver oil. Consuming cod liver oil during pregnancy may posses a risk of developing vitamin A toxicity that is harmful to babies.

Some articles that you can read :
1) American Pregnancy Association : Omega fish oil and Pregnancy
2) Mayo clinic :  Pregnancy and fish

A joke to lighten up your day

Supplements during Pregnancy

        During my practice, there are many pregnant ladies and loving husbands who are eager to know what are the supplements that they could take and what are the importance of these supplements. These are some essential nutrients during pregnancy:

a) B 12 (> 5 mcg ) - important especially for vegetarian to prevent Megaloblastic anaemia

b) Folic acid (> 400mcg) - To reduce the incidence of neutral tube defects. 

                                      -  Diabetes patients will need a bigger dose

c) Elemental Iron (30-65mg/day )

d) Calcium  (1000-1500mg) - Vital for making baby's bone and teeth.

e) Vitamin D (10mcg) - Not enough of vitamin D can cause children's bones to soften and may lead to

                                     rickets. 

f) Vitamin C - Helps to absorb iron from food. 

Some supplements  for pregnant ladies that are available in Malaysia

                                    
                                        Iberet Folic Acid               Obimin                      Pramilet

Elemental Iron                      105mg                             30 mg                            5mg
Vitamin C                             500mg                           100 mg                         60mg
Niacinamide                           30mg                             20 mg                          10mg
Calcium Panthothenate           10 mg                            7.5 mg                           1mg
Vitamin B1                              6 mg                             10 mg                            3mg
Vitamin B2                              6 mg                             2.5mg                            2mg
Vitamin B6                              5 mg                             15 mg                            3mg
Vitamin B 12                         25mcg                              4 mg                            3mg
Folic Acid                           800 mcg                             1 mg                        500mcg
Vitamin A                                                                 3000 IU                       4000 IU
Vitamin D                                                                   400 IU                         400 IU
Calcium Lactate                                                         32.5mcg
Copper                                                                      100 mcg
Iodine                                                                        100 mcg                       100 mcg
Elemental Ca                                                                                                  250mg
Magnesium                                                                                                    150mcg
Zinc                                                                                                                 85mg


So which one is better? 

Normally i would recommend Obimin as it contain all the essential nutrients as well as high doses of vitamin B6 that is useful in reducing the symptoms of  nausea and vomitting during the first 4-8 weeks. Besides, it is the cheapest in the market.

Iberet Folic has a higher dose of iron, folic acid and vitamin B12, and thus is more useful for anaemic lady

Points to remember : 1)  Do not take several prenatal vitamins together as it may expose mother-to-be

                                     and  baby to vitamin A toxicity and this may harm the baby. 

Thanks for reading 

Some Guidelines and articles that you can read :

1) NHS: Vitamins & Supplements during pregnancy

2) The independent health news : Vitamin could help under-nourished mothers have healthier babies

A Joke to lighten up the day =)