The importance of Omega-3's Before, during, and after Pregnancy
Calling all moms to be! I’m here to tell you how important it is to have adequate amounts of omega-3’s before, during and after pregnancy. It’s not only important for the development of the baby, but also the mama herself!
What are Omega 3’s?
Let’s start with the basics. Omega 3’s are constructed of two components, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). These are both essential to the process of getting pregnant all the way through your recovery after giving birth. It has been studied that EPA helps to transfer DHA across the placenta and decreased EPA levels may limit the transport and uptake of DHA into fetal cells.
Before Pregnancy
When trying to get pregnant both partners want to be the most fertile they can! For men, high intake of Omega-3’s have been proven to improve sperm morphology and motility. Studies have shown multiple benefits of long term omega 3 intake in women, such as prolonged reproductive function and improvement of egg quality. It’s important to note that the DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid) of Omega-3 fatty acids are the building blocks for our brains and the nervous and hormonal systems. Which is extremely important for women who are trying to conceive.
During Pregnancy
The importance of DHA is emphasized greatly during pregnancy, essentially this is what is building a baby’s brain, skin and eyes. Studies have also shown that high intake of omega-3 during pregnancy resulted in a reduced risk of perinatal death and of neonatal care admission, a reduced risk of LBW babies. The most up to date research regarding omega-3’s during pregnancy emphasize its importance for both the development of a healthy baby and in the health of the mother.
After Pregnancy
Even after pregnancy omega-3’s are critical for the mother, especially after having so much of our nutrients depleted during pregnancy. Either taking an omega supplement, flax oil, or eating fatty fish it’s imperative to keep up your nutrient content to make breast milk, help maternal mood, brain function, hormone balance, and overall postpartum recovery.
When I was creating flax milk I was trying to get pregnant for the first time, which is when I learned just how important it is to ensure I am getting enough nutrients throughout my day. I flax was the richest vegan source of omega 3’s and also has so many other beneficial nutrients. Fast-forward to today and my son is going on a year and a half! How time flies. I am so happy that Malibu Mylk partnered with Needed, a prenatal supplement company to help all of our mamas out there be nourished to their fullest!