During pregnancy, pregnant women need to meet their nutritional needs. One of them is DHA for pregnant women. This substance plays an important role in supporting the development of the nerves and brain of the fetus, as well as maintaining the health of pregnant women during pregnancy.
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) is a type of omega-3 fatty acid. This substance is an important component in the formation of the nervous system, eyes, and human brain.
The function of DHA is to make it easier for nerve cells to send and receive excitatory signals from all over the body. In addition, DHA also plays an important role in the formation of cells and nerve tissue in the brain and throughout the body.
Seeing this very vital role, it is not surprising that DHA is highly recommended for consumption by pregnant women. Not only does it have many benefits for pregnant women, DHA is also important for the development of the fetus in the womb.
Benefits of DHA for Pregnant Women
The following are some of the benefits of DHA for pregnant women:
Prevent preeclampsia
Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure, swelling, visual disturbances, and impaired organ function, such as the kidneys and liver. If left untreated, preeclampsia can cause serious complications for the pregnant woman and the fetus.
Several studies have shown that adequate intake of DHA during pregnancy can reduce the risk of pregnant women for developing preeclampsia.
Prevent postpartum depression
After giving birth, some women may experience depression. The condition known as postpartum depression this can make the sufferer feel hopeless, so he wants to hurt himself or his new born baby.
A study shows that consuming DHA during pregnancy is thought to be good for reducing the risk of postpartum depression. However, the effectiveness of DHA to prevent postpartum depression still needs to be studied further.
Benefits of DHA for the Fetus
DHA is not only beneficial for pregnant women, but also the fetus in the womb. Some of the benefits are:
Supports brain development
DHA is needed by the fetus, especially in the third trimester of pregnancy. It is at this time that fetal brain development is at its peak. A study proves that high levels of DHA in the body of pregnant women can stimulate the intelligence and brain function of the fetus after birth.
Not only while in the womb, DHA intake is still needed by babies after birth. DHA deficiency is also said to increase a child's risk for certain conditions, such as ADHD, behavioral disorders, developmental disorders, and learning difficulties.
Supports eye development
Not only good for the brain, DHA is also important for fetal eye development. According to one study in pregnant women, adequate intake of DHA during pregnancy is seen to prevent the fetus from visual disturbances. However, these findings still require further research.
Prevent the fetus from being born prematurely
The fulfillment of DHA intake in pregnant women, especially in the last trimester of pregnancy, is believed to reduce the risk of preterm labor. A baby is said to be born prematurely if it is born before the age of the mother's womb has not reached 37 weeks.
Babies born prematurely are susceptible to various health problems, ranging from impaired organ function, impaired growth and development, to low birth weight.
How Much Dosage of DHA Pregnant Women Need?
The amount of DHA intake that pregnant women need to consume is 300 mg of DHA per day. In order for adequate intake of DHA during pregnancy, pregnant women are recommended to consume seafood, salmon, eggs, and milk fortified with DHA.
If you feel that you are not getting enough DHA from food, pregnant women can take supplements that contain DHA to meet their DHA needs. Apart from dietary supplements, pregnant women can also meet their DHA needs by taking pregnancy supplements that are fortified with DHA.
To determine the type of supplement and diet that contains DHA, pregnant women can consult a gynecologist. During consultation, the doctor will determine the type and dosage of DHA supplements that pregnant women can consume.