Did you go "overdue" while taking fish oil?

[AmyKT]

I'm freaking out here (but only mildly because the fish oil keeps me so happy) because folks in my DDC are saying that taking fish oil lengthens gestation, but I can't seem to find much about this online. I'm taking about 2000 mg daily (about 1000 mg total omega 3), and I'm convinced it's why I've been fairly mentally sharp and relaxed this pregnancy, but I sure as heck don't want to go unnecessarily past date with this baby. I didn't take any fish oil with my first and she was born 4 days past my due date, so let's get some anecdotal evidence going here.

If you took fish oil in your last pregnancy, did you deliver early, on time, or past date? And if you have a non-fish oil pregnancy to compare it to, so much the better.

[is it puppies?]

thought I'd give my very scientific input- I was past my EDD by about 5 days (first pregnancy though so actually gestated for shorter than average). I don't feel like I ever lost my mind during my pregnancy and am (2 weeks into baby) still feeling fairly mentally healthy both brains and emotions wise so if the krill had anything to do with it I'd go "overdue" again in a heartbeat!

[COgirl19]

My midwife also recommended fish oil for mood stabilization and I love it. (I am also on Zoloft but I need that pregnant or not). She has never said anything about it lengthening gestation. I have an appointment this week though so I can ask her about it but I have honestly never heard of fish oil doing that.

[seren]

Now I'm going to have to do some research. I took 4000 mg a day with my last pregnancy and was 8 days overdue.

[Multimomma]

I have had fish oil pregnancies and non fish oil, and they were both equally overdue. So, I think you're okay.

[Mosaic]

I took fish oil (2400) with both pregnancies. DD1 was 2 weeks early, and DD2 was 3 weeks early.

[Beverly]

I took fish oil with my last two pregnancies ... one went 11 days over and the other came 5 days early. I've heard, too, about it possibly lengthening gestation, but not to any dangerous degree. I'm taking it this time around, too (I have multiple sclerosis, and it's been a godsend for me), and I'm not worried about it.

[seren]

It seems it is used to prolong pregnancy in women who have had preterm birth/labors before. There was an original study done in 1992 and then one done in 2007, I think.

[AmyKT]

Originally Posted by seren

It seems it is used to prolong pregnancy in women who have had preterm birth/labors before. There was an original study done in 1992 and then one done in 2007, I think.

That's the only info I could find, as well. I think I won't worry about it. The benefits far outweigh any possible negatives, which is only slight discomfort, really.

[Stitches]

I take fish oils during pregnancy...first one I delivered 1 hr before my due date, so right on time.

[RedOakMomma]

I've read a lot about fish oil, and talked to drs about it (some that really, REALLY believe in it helping pregnancy and good development), and this is the first I've heard about it lengthening gestation.

And for me, no. It did not lengthen gestation. My twins (no fish oil) were born at 40wks1day. My singleton (lots of fish oil) was born at 38wks.

[RedOakMomma]

Originally Posted by seren

It seems it is used to prolong pregnancy in women who have had preterm birth/labors before. There was an original study done in 1992 and then one done in 2007, I think.

There's a BIG difference in fish oil "prolonging" a pregnancy to a healthy term and fish oil making otherwise healthy pregnancies go past-due. Making a pregnancy healthy-long is not the same as making it over-long. I think you could probably stop worrying about this one.

[HeatherB]

What I have heard (and I haven't looked up references - that I can recall) is that in cultures where these oily fish are consumed as a main part of the diet and/or regularly, they tend to naturally gestate longer. That doesn't mean it's unhealthy, but certainly could be a factor if you're going to run up against time limits.

So, my MW recommends switching over to EPO sometime in the 3rd tri. I'm only approaching 20 weeks so we haven't talked about it this time, though.

[Lousli]

Wow, this is actually very cool! I will be looking into taking it after two preterm births!

[aloneinid]

Interesting- I have never heard this either, but I did not take fish oil in my first pregnancy, which was 39+5 and I DID take it in my second pregnancy and delivered at 41+1. I use it for anxiety and can definitely tell a difference if I don't take it. I have also heard recently that it can contribute to bleeding and to discontinue it before birth, but I hadn't heard that before my last delivery and didn't stop it. I didn't have any bleeding problems.

[CookAMH]

I HAVE heard that, I recall hearing/reading that Scandanavian women have longer pregnancies and have higher intakes of fish oil.

I saw something online from a hospital library mentioning intake of fish oil can prevent premature labor.

[pollyanna123]

I've never heard of that, but come to think of it...

I took fish oil regularly with my first pregnancy and delivered at 41+2. I didn't take it during my second pregnancy and delivered right on my EDD!

[lifeisgood9]

I took fish oil throughout first pregnancy, and was induced at 42 weeks + 3 days.   :-(    Didn't dilate even 1 cm on my own.    Pregnant again, and plan to stop the fish oil in the 8th month.   Really, really want an intervention-free delivery this time around!

[cameragirl]

From the studies, I believe that this has more effect on women that would otherwise be at risk for preterm labor and/or small for gestational age babies. I haven't read anything that would suggest that it extends the length of a healthy pregnancy any further than normals. It is great as a mood enhancer, helps brain and eye development in babies, and also helps baby's immune system.

[OurGift]

11 days overdue on fish oil for me