Are you taking DHA? What does Dr. say?

dairygirl19 · December 2010

Sometimes I feel like I'm the only pregnant girl on the planet not taking/worried about/obsessing over DHA supplements.

I asked my Dr. and he looked at the vitamin I was taking without DHA and told me it was perfectly fine.

When I asked about DHA he gave me the benefits and then went on to say that research hasn't conclusively proven it does much. He said there was really no need for me to take it as a result.

My dr. is a little "old school" and relaxed but he is up to date and very well researched with lots of baby experience so I trust that his opinion has been well formed.

Thoughts/opinions/what does your dr. say?

MarshaBrady · December 2010

I am taking DHA in addition to my PNV. When I had my 1st apt with a nurse at my OB's office, they gave me a bunch of PNVs to sample and they all included DHA.

Arwen31 · December 2010

I'm taking DHA in addition to prenatals. My dr said it was good to take both. I figure it can't hurt!

pettycrocker · December 2010

I'm taking the one-a-day's with the DHA supplement, and the reg PV. My apt. isnt until the end of the month. When I was looking at the PVs I just thought "oh a DHA supplement, I guess that's good" lol.. It really wasn't a researched thing or something I discussed with the doctor.. I just know they put it in baby formula and it's supposed to be good for baby's development...

The main purpose of the PVs is for us though, so the babies don't suck us dry of all our vitamins, so I'm guessing it's fine as long you are getting some vitamins for yourself out of the deal.

lisaNDmike08 · December 2010

Arwen31:
I'm taking DHA in addition to prenatals. My dr said it was good to take both. I figure it can't hurt!

This. I've read the stuff about DHA possibly not having the health benefits for the baby that was previously thought, but I've always taken fish oil for its other benefits for me anyway so it can't hurt to keep taking it.

ring_pop · December 2010

My dr never mentioned the need for DHA supplements. She just told me to get my omega-3 fatty acids by eating 2 servings of fish per week, so that's what I'm doing.

LnR70707 · December 2010

I've been on it since we started TTC. I personally think it is a good idea.

abegailanne · December 2010

I'm not taking DHA either. I called the nurse to ask about it since I forgot to mention it to my OB, and she said they recommend to start taking it later, I think she said after 18 weeks? I'm sure it won't hurt to take one now but I'm just going to wait and ask the OB about it myself at my next appointment.

katie4253 · December 2010

I am taking it. However, I also eat NO fish so I know I don't get enough omega 3s. Omega 3s have been linked to less depression and anxiety. Since I have a history of this (although I am not undergoing treatment at all now) I feel it is important to give myself every advantage of not having ppd.

That said, there is pretty solid research on it preventing preterm labor. The research on brain development is less conclusive.

The way I figure, I know I am at least helping myself and if it means I don't go into labor early or the baby might have a leg up with brain development, that's good too. There is no evidence that DHA does anything negative. So I figure, why not?

I take a target pnv and the target dha (it is very small).

FWIW, my doctor was very happy that I'd been taking PNV for 5 months before I got pregnant and was also happy to hear that I'd started DHA once I found out. I am sure it was more of a relieved happy though since lots of ladies don't start taking pnv until they find out they are pregnant.

Five_letter · December 2010

At my appointment with the doctor, he never mentioned DHA when we were talking PNVs. But at my appointment with the nurse, she did.

I'm taking them, I mean....what the heck. It can't hurt.

goteamgo · December 2010

I haven't asked my OB. I'm taking a DHA supplement this time, like I did last time. Mainly because, well, it doesn't hurt to- even if it doesn't help in the way they first thought.

dairygirl19 · December 2010

Thanks girls! Maybe I'll look into a little more.

I've been taking prenatals for 3 years. I started a year before we TTCd Hope and never stopped taking them since. Dr. told me it was a good thing and he didn't see the need for DHA. Maybe I'll ask him again. He's a less is more kind of doc so I suppose that has something to do with it.

Mira06 · December 2010

I've been taking fish oil (EPA and DHA) regularly for a few years, but I take it for a medical condition I have. My Dr knows I take it and didn't say anything.

That said, I do make sure I buy fish oil that has been distilled and is 3rd party tested for Heavy metals, PCB's and dioxins.

Shelleybell · December 2010

it is included in my pnv. I am not supplementing with additional.

BabyMimi · December 2010

I am taking DHA in addition to Folbecal (the prenatal prescribed to me by the OB.) Folbecal is only for first tri so in a few weeks I will start a new prenatal prescription the has DHA in it (OB Natal One.)

There are doctors that say the studies are inconclusive as to whether or not it helps brain development/ADD/ADHD however, DHA is good for you anyway. It helps keep your cholesterol low and it is completely safe to take so why not?

Steven&Jamie · December 2010

At my first appointment the NP asked if my PNV had DHA in it, when I said no she said I needed to take it too. I've been taking DHA since then, I figure it won't hurt so why not?

damabo80 · December 2010

I haven't been able to find any PNVs that DIDN'T have DHA in them.

I haven't heard it harmed anything, and fingured it will either help or have no effect at all, so why not take them?

All the of the PNVs my dr recommended had DHA in them.

alioopsiedaisy · December 2010

I'm also in the "it cant hurt" boat. My Dr. didn't emanation anything, but I read up on them online so bought some at my CVS.

pp709 · December 2010

I am not taking a DHA. When I went in for my 1st appt. the OB looked at my PNV (CVS brand prenatals) and said they were just fine. She did say that I should get plenty of omega-3 in my diet. Since I am mostly a vegetarian, I make sure to eat a handful of nuts everyday.

tosababy · December 2010

When I met with the nurse, I declined the PNV samples because they made me sick. I told her I was switching from the regular Target PNV to the Target PNV with the DHA supplement (though it makes me a little nauseated too). She told me not to worry about the DHA because "new research" shows it's not that important.

I'm planning to follow up when I see the doctor, but my OB's office is usually pretty up on the research.

maiken1027 · December 2010

I'm taking prenate, which has the DHA supplement in it. I tried samples from my dr. first, and they made me feel so much better than OTC.

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