| For years, one of the first things a doctor does | | | | mother's store of DHA is often low and even |
| after confirming your pregnancy is to prescribe | | | | critically depleted. This leads to unwanted effects, |
| special prenatal vitamins. This is because most | | | | including: |
| people don't eat a perfectly balanced diet every | | | | - postpartum depression, now thought to be |
| day, and during the formation of a new life you | | | | caused by a lack of DHA |
| want it to have all the advantages possible. New | | | | - brain shrinkage or 'mommy brain', caused by the |
| research is pointing to a missing supplement in the | | | | brain losing weight because baby is taking the |
| normal regime, though: omega 3 and pregnancy | | | | essential fatty acids |
| are a natural combination to ensure the healthiest | | | | - tendency to early labor, another unwanted |
| possible baby. | | | | outcome linked to a deficiency in DHA |
| Benefits to Baby | | | | It's clear that the benefits are numerous. But you |
| Omega 3s are made up of a couple of | | | | may be concerned about getting your dose from |
| components, most importantly EPA | | | | traditional sources such as fish. Your doctor may |
| (Eicosapentaenoic Acid) and DHA | | | | have cautioned you to watch your consumption |
| (Docosahexaenoic Acid). DHA is the fatty acid | | | | because of concerns about mercury and other |
| we're most concerned with when it comes to | | | | toxins in the water that they live in. |
| babies. It helps to: | | | | A safe way to get your supply, then, is with a |
| - build baby's brain | | | | fish oil supplement that has been certified |
| - form the retinas that are critical to vision | | | | molecularly distilled, with purity proven through |
| - develop the nervous system | | | | third-party testing. Watch in particular that the |
| - improve problem-solving ability and increase | | | | species it is sourced from are small - large |
| overall IQ | | | | predators like wild salmon eat so many other fish |
| - prevent ADD, AHDH and other socialization | | | | that you are getting the toxins from each one. |
| issues | | | | Some good species include sardines or Hoki, a |
| This is important throughout your pregnancy, but | | | | New Zealand species that feeds directly on the |
| most especially in the last trimester. | | | | omega 3-rich algae. |
| Benefits to Mother | | | | Talk to your doctor about the research around |
| Omega 3 and pregnancy support extends to | | | | omega 3 and pregnancy, and look for a good, |
| mothers too. You see, your fetus naturally gets | | | | safe, DHA-rich supplement to help during your |
| preference during the distribution of all vitamins, | | | | pregnancy. |
| minerals and nutrients in your body. During the last | | | | For more information or to review brands that |
| trimester of pregnancy and into breastfeeding, a | | | | meet purity standards, visit my website. |