Pregnancy, breastfeeding and postpartum depression

Taking Omega-3 during pregnancy brings 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 high blood pressure and other factors can cause complications for the woman and her baby, before, during and after childbirth.

 

The effect on the blood vessels also promotes proper blood flow in the placenta , allowing for 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 normal and that his lungs are fully developed. Likewise, an adequate level of Omega-3 reduces the risk of miscarriage .

 

Even the development of the fetus , especially that of its nervous system, depends heavily on Omega-3.

 

Finally, women deficient in Omega-3 during pregnancy are at increased risk of postpartum depression .

 

 

Omega-3 in pregnancy: from mother to baby

Omega-3s present in the mother's body are transferred to the baby during pregnancy.

Comparison of fatty acids in red blood cells and plasma of pregnant and non-pregnant women has shown that the levels of O mega-3 docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) are significantly lower in the former.

Conversely, EPA and DHA concentrations in newborns are higher than those in their mothers.

The main vehicle for transporting 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 reserves of Omega-3 are not always sufficient to cope with a pregnancy. Every woman should ensure an adequate supply of these fatty acids before and after the onset of pregnancy.

Achieving this task is not complicated. The Omega-3 content of amniotic fluid and breast milk depends on the type of diet followed by the woman.

Several studies have shown that these nutrients can be obtained by enriching your diet with fish .

A diet rich in Omega-3 can reduce the risk of several complications:

• premature birth
• preeclampsia
• cerebral palsy

 

 

Taking Omega-3 during pregnancy does not harm the baby or the natural course of gestation in any way.

 

 

 

Preeclampsia, a risk for mother and baby

Preeclampsia is a syndrome characterized by blood circulation problems , including high blood triglyceride levels . Researchers have evaluated the effectiveness of Omega-3 in reducing the risk of this condition.

 

This analysis is due to the known ability of Omega-3 contained in fish oil to reduce the amount of triglycerides present in the blood, normalize blood pressure and improve the functioning of veins and arteries.

 

In particular, a study published in the journal Epidemiology4 demonstrated that during pregnancy, a 15% increase in the ratio between Omega-3 and 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 turns out that patients with lower levels of these fatty acids are approximately 8 times more likely to develop this complication during pregnancy than those with higher levels.

 

 

 

Omega-3 and the child's nervous system

Among the polyunsaturated fatty acids, DHA has been shown to be particularly useful for fetal development. The most significant effect is on the formation of the child's nervous system .

Research in this regard has shown that this Omega-3 promotes correct brain development and increases the child's intelligence .

 

And after giving birth?

The benefits of a correct intake of Omega-3 continue even after the birth of the child, and concern both the newborn and the mother.

Some studies have shown that women who consume high amounts of fish oil suffer less from postpartum depression .

In addition, a high intake of Omega-3 during pregnancy prevents overweight and the risk of high blood pressure in the child. At the age of 15 months, children whose mothers have taken these nutrients during pregnancy are characterized by better psychomotor development than others.

 

 

 

Which Omega-3s during pregnancy?

For all these reasons, a group of experts, led by Artemis Simopoulos, a nutritionist specialized in the use of Omega-3, has established that the optimal quantities of these fatty acids correspond to the intake of 300 milligrams of Omega-3 per day .

The recommendation is valid both during the last 3 months of pregnancy and during breastfeeding. In this way, the right supply of nutrients is guaranteed to the newborn and, at the same time, the new mother can stock up on Omega-3 for the needs of her own body.

However, during pregnancy, women must pay close attention to the type of fish or supplements they consume to obtain Omega-3.

In the case of flaxseed oil , a well-known source of these fatty acids, some experts advise against taking it during pregnancy. Its components may in fact influence the activity of certain hormones, including estrogen.

Additionally, flaxseed oil contains lower amounts of DHA than fish oil , which is therefore a better source of Omega-3.

For these reasons, before taking a supplement when you are expecting a baby, it is always necessary to ask your doctor for advice.