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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Cod liver oil during pg.

15 replies

Brighteyes · 13/10/2004 16:28

Hi. Wondering if someone could advise me.

I took cod liver oil capsules for the first 7 weeks of my pg for joint stiffness without being aware that high levels of Vit. A are dangerous in pg.

Does anyone know how high the risks are that I have harmed my baby? Worried sick at the moment

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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fairydust · 13/10/2004 16:44

I have read your not surpose to take these whilst pregnant - the best thing to do would be to give your midwife a call to put your mind at rest

aloha · 13/10/2004 17:24

The risk appears to be very, very small. In fact, lots of studies show no risk at all from vitamin A - it's a bit of a conundrum. What is the dose on your tablets?

Original poster

Brighteyes · 13/10/2004 17:36

Thanks for the reassurance aloha. Really not sure about the dose of the tablets, threw them out as soon as I found out I shouldn't be taking them.

OP posts:

aloha · 13/10/2004 17:40

Intakes of up to three times the RDA - 8000iu to 10iu - are not associated with birth defects (primarily cleft palate), according to good studies. I think cod liver oil tablets generally contain only the RDA of vitamin A, so you should have absolutely nothing to worry about. I'll dig out a couple of references for you.
Even with very high daily levels of megadoses (over 10,000 IUs ) most babies are unaffected - 56 out of 57 babies DON'T have problems.

aloha · 13/10/2004 17:52

As far as I can tell, cod liver oil capsules contain about 750mcg of vitamin A, while problems have only been indentified at levels above 3,000 mcg (equivalent to 10,000IUs). So they are well within safety levels, and you need not worry. Now just try not to eat large daily portions of liver and you should be just fine

Original poster

Brighteyes · 13/10/2004 17:54

Thank you aloha. I really appreciate you taking the time out to tell me the facts. Feel so much better about things now. Pregnancy is so stressful

OP posts:

aloha · 13/10/2004 18:02

I know! And when you panic, you really panic. I recently wrote a feature about what to eat in pregnancy so had some stuff lying about. Happy to help!

Jimjams · 13/10/2004 19:39

Yes don't worry- I give my 5 year old cod liver oil (he's autistic and the idea is to give him extra vitamin A). The nutritionist explained to me that problems with vitamin A only kick in at very high doses.

Our mums were told to eat lots of liver- my mum ate loads in pregnancy as she loves it- and loads of pate- all full of vitamin A- she'll have had far more than you- (and I'm fine! )

FairyMum · 13/10/2004 20:10

I took cod liver oil through all three pregnancies. Keeps the colds away.

gloworm · 13/10/2004 20:23

dont take it any more...but dont worry about the amont you have already taken, too short amount of time to do any damage.

for joint you can take fish oil...does not come from the liver of the fish so does not contain vit A.
you can also take 1000mg glucosamine sulphate per day, its excellent!!! i took it during 2 pregnancies.

i own a health shop and have a BSc in nutrition if you want to know more. although i wont be on MN after next week

gloworm · 13/10/2004 20:24

forgot to say that both mum and baby DO need vitamin A during pregnancy! just not huge huge amounts

Tipex · 13/10/2004 21:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

aloha · 13/10/2004 22:16

Hi, I went to the supermarket tonight and checked the dosages while I was there - no cod liver oil provided over the RDA of vitamin A, and potential problems only begin to show up in a small minority of cases in some studies at daily intakes over three times this level. So no problem at all for you Brighteyes.
And yes, vitamin A is good for you and your baby and it's a vitamin than very many people don't get enough of. To be super-safe though in pregnancy, it's recommended that you take it in the vegetable form, ie Betacarotene.

Original poster

Brighteyes · 14/10/2004 09:45

Thanks everyone. Really taken a weight of my shoulders.

OP posts:

gloworm · 14/10/2004 12:37

tipex, i think eyeq contains evening primrose oil which you cant take during pg. i took eskimo oil, it is fish oil only, and better quality (less toxins etc), and you only need to take 1 teaspoon per day, and its lemon flavour.

there is a thread on me leaving called "another mumsnetter is leaving" in other subjects!

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