Health Hotline Magazine | May 2026

From Bump to Baby, Omega-3 Fats Play a Critical Role in Pregnancy and Postpartum Health Long before those first cries are heard, a healthy pregnancy begins with essential nutrients—they are the building blocks of life for both mother and baby. Among them, the omega-3 fats EPA and DHA play a central role in neurodevelopment, pregnancy duration, and maternal mental health. Research continues to underscore the importance of omega-3 intake during pregnancy and postpartum, especially when paired with choline, which increases the brain’s uptake and absorption of DHA. These nutrients are vital for mother and baby—the most important duo of all. Pregnancy Duration and Preterm Birth By Liz Mueller

One of the most consistently supported benefits of omega-3 supplementation in pregnancy is its association with reduced risk of preterm birth. A comprehensive Cochrane review—which included a high-quality systematic review of 70 randomized controlled trials—concluded that omega-3 fatty acid supplementation during pregnancy reduces the risk of early preterm birth (before 34 weeks) and preterm birth overall (before 37 weeks). Omega-3s help regulate inflammation and hormone-like substances, such as prostaglandin, which influence uterine contractions and the timing of labor. A meta-analysis of 59 randomized controlled trials from 1990 to 2020, involving omega-3 supplementation at least twice a week during pregnancy, versus control groups with no supplementation, showed that omega-3s taken during pregnancy can prevent preeclampsia, increase gestational duration and birth weight, and decrease the risk of low birth weight and preterm birth. Globally, preterm birth (delivery before 37 weeks) remains one of the leading causes of death in children under age five, and preterm babies often

DHA

face lifelong health challenges, making preventive strategies a public health priority. According to clinical guidance, women of childbearing age should consume at least 250 mg/day of EPA + DHA, and during pregnancy should receive an additional 100-200 mg/day of DHA to help reduce the risk of preterm and early preterm birth. The guidance also says that pregnant women with low DHA levels should increase those amounts to 600-1,000 mg/day of DHA + EPA. This guidance is based on data from numerous clinical trials, showing that at this dosage there was a significant reduction of preterm births early preterm births. It is important to note that most women do not meet the daily intake requirements of omega-3 fats, with research showing that more than 95 percent of childbearing-aged women do not

meet the recommended 250mg/day. Similar results were observed in pregnant women. Maternal Omega-3s and Fetal Brain Development

DHA in particular plays a fundamental role in the developing brain, affecting neuronal growth, synapse formation, and visual development. It is a structural component of brain cells and accumulates rapidly in the fetal brain during the third trimester. Because the fetus relies entirely on maternal DHA supplied through the placenta, maternal intake directly shapes fetal DHA levels. A 2026 meta-analysis assessed the effects of prenatal omega-3 supplementation on cognitive outcomes in the offspring and found that maternal intake of omega-3 fats during pregnancy was associated

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