What Is Dha In Prenatal Vitamins?

Once a feared component in our diet, it's important to know fat is actually a necessary nutrient. Unsaturated fatty acids play important roles in the body, from lubricating joints to enhancing cognitive function. Omega-3 fatty acids are especially important during pregnancy to provide the fetus with an adequate supply of fatty acids for brain development. Readily transferred to fetal tissue, DHA is the preferred source of fatty acids during pregnancy.

Prenatal Vitamins

Women who are pregnant or who are planning to become pregnant take prenatal vitamins because they include extra vitamins and minerals needed for pregnancy. They include more iron, calcium and folic acid than other multivitamins. Some prenatal vitamins also include the fatty acid DHA.

DHA

DHA, or docosahexaenoic acid, is a type of omega-3 fatty acid. Other omega-3 fatty acids include alpha linolenic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid, also known as ALA and EPA. Omega-3 fatty acids are known as essential nutrients, which means that your body cannot produce them on its own, so they have to come from your diet. Omega-3 fatty acids play a role in neurological development, help lower triglycerides and blood pressure and help regulate mood.

Pregnancy Needs

DHA is of particular importance during pregnancy. The fetus uses the mother's supply of DHA to help form its brain and central nervous system, especially during the third trimester. DHA can also help reduce the risk of postpartum depression. Because of its essential role, DHA is frequently included in prenatal vitamins.

Considerations

Some prenatal vitamins consist of all the important nutrients and minerals, including DHA, in one pill. Other prenatal formulations provide a prenatal vitamin with a separate DHA capsule. There are some prenatal vitamins that don't include DHA at all. In that case, you should either choose a different prenatal vitamin or take a separate DHA supplement to meet your needs. Look for a prenatal vitamin or an omega-3 supplement with at least 300 mg of DHA, the amount recommended during pregnancy.