Do I need to take folic acid and omega3 supplements while on my 2nd trimester?

[seanhendrick]

Hello everyone..this is my second post and I love the information that I get from this site.Thank you all.

I am on my 19th week now and had monthly antenatal check ups with my gynae since the 2nd month since I didn't know I was preggy till that time. But then, he only gave me folic acid for that month and afterwards only Iron supplements had been handed for me to take. I am afraid this is not enough since  I read from the internet that some pregnant women take folic acid full term plus they take omega3 supplements/fish oil. Is it safe to take fish oil supplements until my due date?

Thanks for your reply. 

[paps]

Hi seanhendrick,

Folic acid is really essential when we're pregnant.  It helps our baby against spinabifida (I think).  The bottom line is, it is a must.  I took my folic acid in the entire pregnancy and even after it.  My O.B recommends it plus take the iron supplements since I am breastfeeding.  According to him, all the nutrients I have is absorbed by my baby.  In effect, when we breastfeed, we do feel week.  For the fish oil, I suggest you stop it first, or better yet ask your doctor regarding this.  I've wanted to take those omega3 supplements before but doctor didn't recommend it.  Instead he refer a dietician and gave me a whole list of foods to take and keep a balance on all nutrients.

Better to take veggies, meat, fruits first rather than resorting to food supplements except those prescribed by doctors.  And even if those prescribed, my husband read the labels first if it's recommended for preggies.  If it says no test has been done.. immediately to the trash bin.

Hope this helps.

[nhockaday]

Yes, take folic acid and take fish oil. Fish oil has omega 3s which are great for brain and eye development. Just make sure it is from low mercury fish. The bottle will say if it is. The reason why a doctor may have said not to take it is because it is considered homeopathic, and most doctors don't recommend natural products. A lot of doctors will tell you it is safe to take them if you find the right doctor. Omega 3s are great for so many things in the body. I took them my whole pregnancy, while breastfeeding, and even now. Many people on this forum have taken them too. There are even prenatal vitamins with omega 3s now, but they are at low levels.

 http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art30164.asp
The benefits for baby are:

    * A better brain with higher intelligence

    * Good nervous system development

    * Better eyesight from retina formation

    * Fewer behavioral problems after birth

    * Better sleep patterns for a new born

Health benefits for mom include:

    * Less chance of developing pre-eclampsia

    * Protection against brain loss during pregnancy

    * Less chance of pre-term labor and cesarean

    * Much lower risk of postpartum depression

    * Greatly reduced incidence of breast cancer

DHA and EPA make up about 70% of a newborn baby’s brain, retina and nervous system. The only way a fetus can get these important omega 3 fatty acids is from mom. And the amount is dependent on how much she's getting in her pregnancy diet.[/b]

[PY]

Yes it is very important!! Like nhockaday has told you.

[laughingwater]

It is also very important to get enough calcium. If you are not taking a supplement your baby will take it from your bones and you could end up with weaker bones, teeth, etc.  I take a prenatal vitamin that has the folic acid, omega 3, DHA, and everything else pregnant women need. It is much simpler for me that taking half a dozen different supplements. Also make sure that you are eating a well balanced diet with plenty of protein, and drink plenty of water.

[luckylucy]

Yes!! You must take at least 800 mg of folic acid and omega 3 fish oil every day (if you don't take the fish oil every day then eat eggs and salmon to get your omega 3s.  I don't know what doctor at this point that is telling patients not to take fish oil.  Most say you should take it.  The only hesitation a doctor may have is if he's not sure of the mercury content and therefore they just say not take it but you can buy fish oil with no mercury.  Nortic Naturals or Carlsons is mercury free.  Or you can take krill oil which is even more effective with no trace of mercury whatsoever.  You can read about krill oil at www.mercola.com .  Dr. Mercola is great.

[seanhendrick]

wow..thank you all for your replies! Now I am more confident to take folic acid and fish oil. BTW, can anyone recommend a good antenatal omega3 brand and from which site?

[luckylucy]

I took Rainbow Light prenatals which are awesome.  They are all organic and completely dissolvable (many prenatals aren't) and they scored 1st or 2nd by Consumer Reports for effectiveness.  A lot of women also take them because they don't make you nauseous like a lot of others.  Go to their website and check out their products.  They may make an omega-3 prenatal or some sort of omega 3 product.

[nhockaday]

I used to get a brand that was odor-free and had no mercury. I don't remember what it was, but I got it at the grocery store. Fish oil can give you nasty burps, but I heard that if you keep them in the freezer they won't give you the burps.

[seanhendrick]

nhockaday, I hope you can remember the brand so I can also check it in the local drugstore.
thanks for the tips...

I have another problem tho, and it scares me to hell...you see, I have my teeth braces still(I know I'm too old for this ) but I guess my dentist didn't do a good job locking the wires last month during the adjustment so it went loose, about an inch long. I had a hard time eating since last night because of the loose wire, I tried to cut it off this morning but to no avail. So I decided I will call my dentist for his earliest schedule to have the wire cut and readjust my teeth braces. Problem happened after lunch today, I didn't feel the loose wire anymore, I think it was cut, yet I didn't notice it. Now I am afraid that I could have swallowed it unintentionally and scared that it may affect my baby or worse my baby can digest that wire and lead to complications for my pregnancy. I don't know what to do, I am just praying that I spat it out and not swallowed it. Any advice?

[jerez2807]

I get my omega 3's from flaxseed, since I'm worried about fish oil and mercury.  Another supplement thats worth looking into is choline (found in soy lecithin and egg yolks).  Studies on rats (unfortunately thats all they have studied it on) have found that taking it during the rat's 3rd trimester had a significant impact on their cognitive skills.  I bought lecithin in granule form and sprinkle it on my food (its tasteless).  I'm nursing, and hopefully enough is getting to my little guy that way.  Some prenatals have choline, but the levels seem low from what I have seen (and I couldn't find any information on too much choline having a negative effect).  iodine is another important developmental supplement that should be in prenatals... most I have seen do have it added (although definately not a good idea to overdo it because of the problems that would cause!)

[Frukc]

one more benefit of fish oil (or vitamine D): it ensures good dental health of toddler. 

typical mistake is to buy fish oil with artifitial supplements like vitamine A. do not do it because vitamine A is also in various multivitamines and you can get it too much. natural fish oil is without A.

[Deneen]

folic acid is essential in the embryo's spine development...YES  take it

[Ayesha Nicole]

Hi there.

It is important to nutritionally balanced meals (which prevent diabetes), along with Omega 3's and vitamins.  This is easily achieved by eating in "The Zone":

http://drsears.com/ZoneandChronicDisorders/FetalandChildhoodDevelopment/tabid/404/Default.aspx

And not all Omega 3's are created equal!  Dr. Sears brand is ultra-refined and independently rated by IFOS for 5 out of 5 stars, with the highest purity rates:
 
http://www.zonediet.com/Shop/Omega-3Concentrates/tabid/155/c-3-omega-3-concentrates.aspx

- Ayesha

[seanhendrick]

Ayesha,

Thanks for your reply..have you taken Dr.Sears Omega Rx during your pregnancy? I checked the site...but I'm still in doubt if it is safe for pregnant women.

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