Eating fish during pregnancy

[GermanBaby]

I was wondering how many women are limiting or avoiding fish intake while trying to become pregnant or during pregnancy?

Personally I feel the benefit outweighs the "potential" harm of eating "fish" for the brain development of babies and children. Not all "fish" are created equally so it is important to know what kinds of fish should be avoided due to possible mercury accumulation. I know this is not a professional forum. But based on my line of work I feel I have to respond when "people" provide information that can be mis-interpreted to due more harm than good (in my opinion). However there is as much research for and against eating "fish" while pregnant - just remember not all fish are created equally.

Below is a easy to read write-up on a recent research (within the last 2 weeks - April 11 2009) report suggesting that pregnant women should eat more "fish". More info should be coming out in the next week or so regarding this study as it is huge - over 25,000 pregnant women were studied for 3 years.

http://www.medbroadcast.com/channel_health_news_details.asp?news_src=1&news_id=7819&channel_id=1024&relation_id=0

[pookie1121]

I was told fish is good for you - but there are of course certain types and raw fish are excluded from that.

[Tanker Chic]

I was told only to stay away from the larger fish due to mercury and sushi because of the potential bacteria.  

[YvetteY]

To be honest..what about cultures that eat a lot of fish, especially before food became processed....eskimos eat a lot of fish and to my knowledge they don't have a lot of issues.

[YvetteY]

I was told to eat fish two to three times a week...(yuck).  Supposedly it has a high DHA content.....You are suppose to avoid certain fish that have high levels of mercury....mackeral and swordfish are the only ones I remember.  And you are not suppose to eat sushi (raw fish) as toxoplasmosis are found in it.  

I basically am dittoing everything cmorettis is telling you....and I'm adding in the part of avoiding sushi.  

[cmoretti]

I just take high quality omega 3's with at least 450mg of DHA, the form responsible for brain, nervous system, and eye development. DHA is ESSENTIAL for these things. As long as you are taking High quality fish oil which is low in mercury or eating fish that are low in mercury then all is fine! Eat away for the health and development of your baby!

[ldivecch5]

I eat cod or tilapia once a week and my doctor says it's fine.

[tbeards]

I only ate salmon during my pregnancy and avoided the higher mercury content fish like orange roughy, tuna, no fresh water fish, etc. To me, mercury is scary stuff so why bother. Like momof8215 mentioned, you can take Omega 3 fish oil pills.

[momof8215]

Hello ladies, If we all followed the "Don'ts" during pregnancy, we would all starve to death and so would our babies. I have 3 children and ttc #4. I ate fish and everything else under the sun when I was pregnant and I am happy to report that all were born BIG and healthy. They want your babies to receive DHA and EPA because it is good for brain development. Well those things come from fish and many other things that I'm sure your NOT supposed to consume...lol. I take Omega 3 Fish oil pills now while ttc. No matter what we do, babies or no babies, they will find fault with just about everything so I say...eat up ladies and make sure the fish is thoroughly cooked. Have a nice day!

[tivey]

Hi totally agree with Pam. My mother told me to avoid fish yet the doctor asked me today was I eating enough! I currently live in Singapore and they have a different way of looking at things that we do in the UK/US.
Like everything - everything in moderation is fine. Fish is great brain food (Omega 3 essental fatty acid) for you and the baby and I would just make sure its cooked. I am avoiding raw despite pregnant women eating it in japan I am just being careful and having cooked fish once or twice a week.

[PamelaBee]

I totally agree with you.  Not only is fish consumption controversial in pregnancy, there is also, is it ok to color your hair, is it safe to bleach your teeth, should you eat lunchmeat...I mean the list goes on and on.  There are always two sides. The internet is a cesspool of opinions, incomplete studies, and hypothetical answers.  One side is opposed, the other gives the green light...very confusing.  As you say Germanbaby, if the benefit outweighs the risk, it's a no brainer for me.