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Pregnancy

Did anyone NOT eat fish or take fish supplements when pregnant?

32 replies

user1492156337 · 14/04/2017 08:59

DD is now 5 and bright in many ways but not particularly academic (below age-expected for writing and maths). I was lacto-ovo vegetarian when pregnant and did not consume any fish or fish oils. I didn't think too much about DHA and Omega 3 at the time and figured the eggs and flax seeds I ate would suffice. Did anyone else have a similar diet and do you have any concerns for your child's brain development? I am looking for a bit of reassurance.

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Pelagie133 · 09/08/2021 14:24

Thanks a lot for your comments. This is reassuring! I so much want to do what's best for my child, I don't know how I could miss on this.

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Seeline · 09/08/2021 12:52

I took no supplements apart from folic acid. With my first pg I had such bad morning sickness that I barely ate anything at all for the first 4.5 months. Didn't really eat any fish with either as I don't really like it. Both children are very bright - straight As/A*s at GCSEs.

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VegMam · 09/08/2021 12:49

@user1492156337

Thanks so much all. Have read with interest. I am going to look into algae-based DHA supplements to cut out the middle fish, so to speak. Does anyone have recommendations for these?

I take Nothing Fishy and like it.
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VegMam · 09/08/2021 12:48

I’m vegan and pregnant with first. I take algal oil as a source of omega 3.

However, I was raised veggie and took no supplements nor did my mum, my siblings and I were all very academically successful as well as being successful in sports (athletic national champions amongst us).

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Pelagie133 · 09/08/2021 12:24

I'm exactly in the same boat. I realized I didn't eat omega 3 during my pregnancy, and now my baby is 1. I'm worried sick I have caused major damage to her brain.

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user1484986087 · 15/04/2017 08:53

Terra nova (vitamin brand) does a prenatal vitamin derived from vegan products, including an algae based Dha supplement. You might have to look up online or if you are in/close to London, whole foods sell this brand.
Otherwise I think Holland and Barrett sell a vegan derived dha supplements, can't remember the brand name though, sorry!

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user1492156337 · 15/04/2017 08:28

Thanks so much all. Have read with interest. I am going to look into algae-based DHA supplements to cut out the middle fish, so to speak. Does anyone have recommendations for these?

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228agreenend · 14/04/2017 23:12

Try not to worry. Your DD is only five! Maybe do extra reading at home with her. She's got plenty of years of academia ahead of her.

I didn't take any fish supplements, and am not a big fish eater.

My eldest dc went to one of the top grammar schools in Kent, and other Dc is at another grammar school. The youngest do wqsn't good at reading, and then in one year suddenly 'got it' and went up several reading years in one year.

Also, I have a friend who hates fish so never eats it, and her son in the top of his year in his school.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that the consumption of fish, or lack,of it, ipdoen't determine whether your DD is,going to win a Nobel prize or not.

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hopsalong · 14/04/2017 22:57

I took loads of fish oil and ate lots of wild organic salmon with DC1 (who seems bright, but more obviously is a very happy, calm, sunny child) and have been beating myself up for not managing the same with DC2 (vomited up every attempt at fish oil supplements in first trimester and developed an aversion).

Having said that, the brain is only partially finished at birth, and far from being fully developed at age 5, or even as an early teenager, so I think there's a lot of time to boost DHA afterwards (note some formulas advertise it as being added). Maybe you've already been doing that through breastfeeding as a baby/ diet now, but seems to me definitely not too late to give her supplements now!

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Kennethwasmyfriend · 14/04/2017 22:26

Neurologically typical

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Ohyesiam · 14/04/2017 22:23

Yes, what is NT? It seems to mean not special needs, of similar, but I can't think what it stands for ( maybe I need some omega oils, my critical thinking has been attacked by menopause!)

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Ohyesiam · 14/04/2017 22:20

Didn't take supplements or eat fish for either of my fill term pregnancies.
Daughter on year 9, top sets, academic. Son year 6, less academic more creative.

I don't think my mum ever ate fish, and my sister and I both got degrees ( and I'm 50, so before everyone was encouraged to go to uni).
Also my son was very " behind " up to year 3, now he's caught up, average at maths, a bit above average at literacy, some kids brains develop in stages.

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sailorcherries · 14/04/2017 21:53

I have never eaten fish in my life or consumed fish oil/omega 3 supplements. My son is 6 and is working about his level in both Maths and English and is very academic.

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user1492156337 · 14/04/2017 21:28

I have read that the baby can take DHA from the mother's thigh and bottom fat if needed!

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user1492156337 · 14/04/2017 21:27

Thanks for taking the time to post. What is NT, Bigmouth? X

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bigmouthstrikesagain · 14/04/2017 19:39

I was the same as you op, when pregnant (for all three).
Ds is academically gifted and hf autistic, dd1 is artistic, excellent at English and hf autistic, dd2 is NT and academically bright, particularly in English. They are 12,11 and 8.

I am pretty sure the lack of fish oils had no bearing on their intelligence - that, like the autism is genetic and probably environmental.

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MonkeyBrainsInPickle · 14/04/2017 19:31

I'm veggie and so didn't eat any fish or take fish supplements. DD is only 2 but seems bright as button so far. I have no concerns.

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user1492156337 · 14/04/2017 16:49

Thanks all. I was not concerned about boosting brain power with omega 3 so much as preventing full brain development through a lack of Omega 3/DHA. You've helped. X

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Ktown · 14/04/2017 09:43

If you are healthy supplements should not be necessary. If you have enough folic acid in your diet then you won't need supplements.
If you were healthy during the pregnancy then that is important ( am not a medic btw!).

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realhousewifeoffitzrovia · 14/04/2017 09:43

No supplements, no fish during pregnancy and DD IS 15 and an A student, no food allergies, good immune system 👍

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Gallavich · 14/04/2017 09:42

Vegetarian and took no supplements when pregnant. My ds is academically above average as am I, as are both my parents.

My mum also ate no fish during her pregnancy with me.

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Tubbyinthehottub · 14/04/2017 09:40

I'm vegetarian and never take any supplements. Didn't through pregnancy, my DC is doing well. My DH decided to take cod liver oil tablets for a few months and it made his semen stink of fish. Totally grim. I made him stop when I realised what it was.

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BeingATwatItsABingThing · 14/04/2017 09:38

I took only pregnancy vitamins right at the end of my pregnancy. I didn't even take folic acid because I didn't know until it was too late for that. I really wouldn't worry.

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Oly5 · 14/04/2017 09:32

There's no actual proof that fish oils in pregnancy boost IQ. There was a large meta-analysis of studies recently that found no proof

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blackcatlover · 14/04/2017 09:30

No, no supplements - I think you are worrying about DD unnecessarily and it has absolutely NOTHING to do with your diet during pregnancy.
I know people born during WW2 when their mums basically starved (not UK) and they seem normal to me.

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