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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Which Omega 3 suppliment is safe to take in Pregnancy

32 replies

HeinzSight · 04/01/2009 13:42

and how much?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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Original poster

HeinzSight · 04/01/2009 13:47

bump

OP posts:

whingeomatic · 04/01/2009 13:51

I took Mumomega which you can get in Boots ( a bit pricey - £11 for 30 but are usually included in the 3 for 2 offer) as they have omega 3 & 6 and are specially formulated for pregnancy & bfing.

Dose is one a day....

Original poster

HeinzSight · 04/01/2009 14:00

thanks whingeomatic, so my Tesco Omega 3 aren't OK?

OP posts:

MsG · 04/01/2009 14:52

I just take Morrisons Omega oils which are veggie, but don't say they are or are not suitable for pregnancy. I asked a few people on here and my nurse at docs surgery said she wasn't sure about it, and decided to take it. x

whingeomatic · 04/01/2009 15:45

I researched on the internet for these. I found that most (not sure about veggie ones, probably not?) get the oil from the liver of the fish which should be avoided in pregancy

article here

Best to look at the ingredients on the pack...

MsG · 04/01/2009 17:28

Yeah, the veggie ones are from linseed oil and things like that. x

olivo · 04/01/2009 20:10

i take either the pregnacare plus (fish oil) or mumomega - fish oils plus epo. i thought it was the fish itself you shouldn't have because of the mercury? surely they wouldn't be allowed to use fish oils in specific pregnancy tablets if they were a cause for concern?

Original poster

HeinzSight · 04/01/2009 20:16

I'm going to see if I can find some Mumomega tomorrow. Worryingly, the Boots website is out of stock, am hoping they have some in store.

OP posts:

BabyBaby123 · 04/01/2009 20:18

I take the Pregnacare Plus or Sanatogen Plus which was on offer at Boots last week. I don't think you should take normal Omega 3 - only ones which are especially formulated for pregnancy

nannyj · 04/01/2009 20:18

I use the mumomega too and got them 3 for 2.

bangandthedirtisgone · 04/01/2009 20:26

I thought it was added Vitamin E or something that was the problem in most omega tabs?

I used mumomega and from what I remember when pg all the other omega tabs they sold had something in that wasn't good when pg. I think it was vitamin E, will check...

bangandthedirtisgone · 04/01/2009 20:29

Yeah, I think a lot of omega tablets have added Vitamin E which in high levels in pg can cause still birth so should be avoided as a supplement.

midnightexpress · 04/01/2009 20:31

Instead of taking a supplement, you could add linseeds to your food - sprinkle on cereal, yoghurt etc, or use them in baking. They are GREAT for keeping you regular in pregnancy as well .

sarsums · 04/01/2009 20:39

I am taking an omega 3 supplement as I am currently TTC. I also took it while pregnant with my dd, and continued while breastfeeding. I do not take one especially marketed for pregnancy as I have found that these are much more expensive than the non-pregnancy ones.

I am currently taking Holland & Barrett 1000mg omega 3 fish oils as they were on offer recently. They do contain vitamin E, but it is only 10% of the recommended daily amount so is perfectly safe. Avoid the liver oils as there are concerns with these in pregnancy. omega 3 oils are not extracted from the fish liver.

If money isn't an issue, then the pregnancy omega 3s are great, but it is unnecessary to fork out the extra for them.

MsG · 05/01/2009 15:14

Haven't heard that about Vitamin E - I know you have to be careful with Vitamin A - can anyone point me to any research on it? x

lastboxoftampons · 05/01/2009 16:25

The ingredients on mine say 0% next to vitamin A and the same next to Vitamin E. I've also found a website that says it's safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding, but it doesn't say anything about it on the container. Do you think it's safe?

MsG · 05/01/2009 17:13

I do, but I'm not basing it on any evidence as such - more of a lack of any - and I've read in lots of places that you have to be careful with Vitamin A but never about E. I will ask my acupuncturist (also a midwife!) on Thursday, though.

lastboxoftampons · 05/01/2009 17:19

THanks, MsG. I started taking them around week 6 or so, but I did get worried that it doesn't say not made from fish liver oil on it, so I stopped a few weeks ago. I might start taking them again - although I'm sure the crucial developmental period has passed. I've also never heard about Vitamin E before - just vitamin A.

Lotster · 05/01/2009 17:35

I am evangelical about fish oils (!) If you are going to take a supplement it's worth paying for the best you can get. Although I'll sometimes pick up vitamins from Boots when I'm saving money, certainly in pregnancy I go for really good brands like Solgar (they do a great vitamin - Prenatal Multivitamin and mineral Formula for Pregnant and Lactating Women), Higher Nature and Bio-care.

Have tried a few brands and my fave and according to several nutrition experts I have spoken to, one of the best, is Higher Nature.
It's the highest purity fish oil taken from the body, not the liver of the fish. It has the key Omega 3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA, important for a healthy heart and arteries, the brain, eyes and flexible joints. It's also scrupulously screened for pollutants. They're 1000mg and the dose is up to three, I tend to take two.

I take these anyway, especially when I am stressed or run down, but especially in pregnancy to boost the baby's brain too.

You can shop around online and have them delivered within a few days, online pharmacies do varying deals, the bigger the jar the better value.

HTH

MsG · 05/01/2009 19:01

Cheers - trouble is I won't eat fish oils as I'm a strict veggie - this is why I wanted to take the supplemement in the first place as I don't eat fish.
x

bangandthedirtisgone · 05/01/2009 20:54

E in pregnancy www.pregnancy-bliss.co.uk/vitaminsinpregnancy.html

find the study itself www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/3340667/Pregnant-mothers-warned-of-risk-to-baby-in-vitamin-E. html

bangandthedirtisgone · 05/01/2009 20:55

Bah!

Vitamin E in pregnancy: www.pregnancy-bliss.co.uk/vitaminsinpregnancy.html

Can't find the study istelf: www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/3340667/Pregnant-mothers-warned-of-risk-to-baby-in-vitamin-E.html

MrsMerryHenry · 05/01/2009 20:56

I think they should all be okay as long as there's no liver element. Veggie or fish are fine - fish is better as your body will absorb nutrients better from an animal source than a vegetable one.

Go for the best quality you can afford - i.e. not a chemist or Holland & B, but one of those stupidly pricey posh organic shops - they usually have v high quality brands (I paid £18 a pop for 3 months' supply when I was pg 3 yrs ago - a lot to pay at once but then it's only £54 for your whole pregnancy - you'll prob easily save that in the booze you won't be drinking!)

Have fun being pregnant!

RuDiegetheRedNosedReinDiege · 05/01/2009 21:20

Interesting to read link about vit E, as I've just read the back of the pregnacare box and each tablet has 200% RDA of vit E (20mg a tablet). Assume such a mainstream, well-established brand must have done its research??

MsG · 05/01/2009 21:31

Cheers. It seems rather inconclusive. And it sounds as though they are referring to a Vit E supplement, rather than something which contains a small amount of it? I don't know. I'm not taking my omegas until I've discussed with midwife.

Would have thought Pregnacare would have definitely done its research.
x

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