Omega-3 & Pregnancy

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential fatty acids, meaning your body can't make them and they need to come from your diet. Omega-3s play a beneficial role in pregnancy for both the mother and baby. According to the American Pregnancy Association, omega-3 fatty acids support cognitive development in the fetus, making them an important nutrient.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3s are a group of fatty acids made up of alphalinoleic acid -- or ALA -- eicosapentaenoic acid -- EPA -- and docosahexanoic acid -- DHA. ALA can be converted into DHA and EPA in the body, but it's not always an efficient process, so including sources of all three in the diet is ideal. Because the fetus obtains the nutrients it needs for growth from the mother, it's important that the mother includes adequate amounts of omega-3 fatty acids in her diet.

Omega-3s and Mom

Omega-3 fatty acids help prevent coronary artery disease, hypertension and inflammatory disease. Omega-3s can also help reduce the risk of preterm labor and preeclampsia in pregnant women, as well as decrease the mother's risk for depression. While omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial, according to MayoClinic.com, large doses can cause bleeding.

Omega-3s and Baby

Omega-3 fatty acids are important for brain and vision development. DHA is especially known for the role it plays in development of the brain, eyes and central nervous system, making it essential for a growing fetus. Omega-3 fatty acids are even more vital during the third trimester, an important time period for fetal brain development. According to a study in "Reviews of Obstetrics and Gynecology," the fetus obtains 50 to 70mg of DHA from the mother.

Sources and Supplements

Omega-3 fatty acids are found in flaxseed, canola and soybean oils, walnuts and fatty fish, such as salmon, tuna and sardines. Because too much mercury can pose a danger in pregnancy, fish oil supplements are often recommended during pregnancy because the fish high in omega-3s tend to also be high in mercury. The processing that occurs in manufacturing the supplement helps rid the oil of contaminants like mercury. The American Pregnancy Association recommends 300 mg of DHA daily for pregnant women. Sometimes omega-3s are included in prenatal vitamins, but sometimes they're not, so check the label to see how much you're getting.