DHA supplements for pregnant women: what are the safe rules for use?

Have you ever heard that DHA is needed for pregnant women? He said, DHA not only provides benefits for pregnant mothers, but is also good for the baby in the womb.

Actually, what are the benefits of DHA and how good can it be for pregnant women?

What is DHA?

DHA or short for docosahexaeonic acid is a type of omega-3 fatty acid. Fat is usually divided into two types, namely vegetable fat (plant) and animal fat (animal).

However, in broad terms, there are two divisions of total fat, namely "good" fat and "bad" fat.

As the name implies, "bad" fat is a term used to facilitate the classification of saturated and trans fats.

Eating too much "bad" fat has the risk of causing diseases later in life, such as heart disease and high cholesterol.

In contrast to "good" fats which are divided into monounsaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Well, these polyunsaturated fatty acids are then further divided into omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids.

DHA comes from omega-3 fatty acids which have 3 types. So, the types of omega-3 fatty acids all include docosahexaeonic acid (DHA), eicosapentaeonic acid (EPA), and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA).

Each fatty acid has unique benefits, including DHA. The benefits of DHA for the body include supporting brain function, heart work, eye health, skin function, and joint work.

The benefits of DHA can be obtained by everyone, including pregnant women and babies in the womb.

What are the benefits of DHA for pregnant women?

There are various benefits of DHA that can be obtained free of charge if their daily needs are fulfilled properly, including for mothers who are pregnant.

Here are the various benefits of DHA for mothers and babies during pregnancy:

1. Support a happy mood during and after childbirth

One of the benefits of DHA for pregnant women is that it supports mood (mood) always happy.

The benefits of both fulfilling daily DHA needs can even be felt by mothers from pregnancy until after normal delivery or cesarean section.

Indirectly, DHA supports smooth healthy delivery. Especially in the period after giving birth, mothers are usually easily afflicted with feelings of anxiety, touched, and are very sensitive.

The combination of these feelings can lead to baby blues to postpartum depression in postpartum mothers.

This is where DHA comes into play mood mother to always be happy.

2. Supports the development of the baby's brain, eyes and nervous system

DHA is known as an important nutrient during pregnancy.

This is because adequate DHA intake can help optimize the development of the brain, retina of the eye, and the nervous system of the baby in the womb, reports the Mayo Clinic.

During pregnancy, the baby's brain develops fastest in the third trimester. Brain development continues when the baby is born or until the first two years of age.

That is why during pregnancy, including the 3rd trimester, the absorption of DHA from mother to baby is very high. Unfortunately, it runs the risk of having a deficiency or lack of fatty acids like DHA.

If daily DHA needs are not met for a long period of time, the mother can experience postpartum depression after giving birth.

On that basis it is important to meet the needs of omega-3 fatty acids because they contain DHA during pregnancy, even beforehand.

3. Increase focus and reduce the risk of allergies

The American Pregnancy Association states that adequate DHA intake during pregnancy can optimize the baby's behavior, attention, focus, and learning process later.

Interestingly, the benefits of DHA for pregnant women are that it can reduce the risk of babies experiencing allergies at birth because they have good immunity.

How much DHA is needed for pregnant women?

Seeing how good the benefits of DHA are for pregnant women and babies who are being conceived, meeting daily DHA needs should not be overlooked.

DHA requirement for pregnant women is around 300 milligrams (mg) per day.

Pregnant women can meet their daily DHA needs from a variety of foods and supplements or vitamins.

What are the sources of DHA for pregnant women?

DHA intake for pregnant women can be obtained from seafood such as salmon, tuna and sardines. However, make sure you choose fish that are low in mercury content.

In addition, sources of drinks and food for pregnant women such as milk, orange juice, and eggs also usually contain DHA so that it can be another option.

Should you take DHA supplements during pregnancy?

Although the benefits of DHA for new mothers are really needed when they are pregnant, it is better to fulfill these nutritional needs before pregnancy.

At least about 6 months before pregnancy or deciding to get married, the essential fat stores in your body are sufficient.

This is not only preparation for a baby's pregnancy, but also in case you become pregnant with twins or get pregnant immediately after delivery.

DHA, which is a type of omega-3 fatty acid, is called an essential fat because it is not synthesized by the body so it must be met from food sources or supplements.

Preparing a supply of DHA is important for mothers so that omega-3 fatty acids, especially DHA, are not depleted and can continue to meet the needs of mothers and babies during pregnancy.

The good news is that you can not only get DHA from daily food and drink sources.

Daily DHA needs for pregnant women can also be met from pregnant vitamins or DHA supplements.

You can also take omega-3 fish oil supplements before and during pregnancy because they contain DHA.

Even when your baby is born and you are breastfeeding, it is still permissible to take omega-3 fish oil supplements to meet your needs and in the early stages of your baby's life.

Taking pregnant vitamins or DHA supplements can be an option for pregnant women if they are worried about the mercury content in fish.

Interestingly, mothers who regularly take DHA supplements during pregnancy can give birth to babies with healthy immune systems.

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