[doctorjen]

Okay, I'm thinking this is craziness, but a newly pregnant client asked me and I didn't know the answer. She takes flax seed, which helps with her not-quite-depression and energy levels. Her friend (who I know well also as we all go to LLL together) is also pregnant and takes it as well. The friend's OB told her she must stop the flax seed immediately because she thinks it causes huge babies. She doesn't want her taking anything other than a prenatal vitamin. Now, I haven't heard anything of the sort, but thought I'd check and see if anyone else had heard of this?
By the way, this OB also induces all her patients within a couple days of their due date if they haven't delivered because being postdates (by which she means just 40 weeks) is so dangerous.
One of my little pediatric patients was induced by her at 38 wks 2 days, because the mom lives an hour from the hospital and we certainly can't have her risking that drive in labor. Babe was only 6 lbs 3 oz, mom pushed through 2 contractions only, and she STILL cut an episiotomy.
So I'm thinking she's probably not right about a lot of stuff!

 

[Averys_mom]

EFAs, specifically the DHA in fish oil, has been shown to produce infants with higher birth weights and longer gestations. Flaxseed oil doesn't have the readily available DHA like fish oil does, but it is high in linolic acid which the body will convert into DHA.

see:

www.cahs.colostate.edu/FacultyStaff/ Research/PDF/EffectsofOmega3.pdf

I don't know if it has anything to do with it, but I took an Omega 3-6-9 blend during my pregnancy with my first. She was 8.5 pounds born at 41 weeks, which was a much higher birth weight than anyone else has had in my family (or my husband's).

That said, pure sources of fish oil should still be consumed during pregnancy (especially last trimester) despite the fact it could mean a little large than average baby. Studies show taking EFAs during pregnancy can prevent preterm labour and low birthweights. It's also makes for smarter babies and healthier moms!

Just what I've read.

 

[anonymommy]

I took some fish oil with my 9#3 girl but really took it in the pregnancy with my 11# boy because I was nursing through pregnancy, I don't eat fish, and I don't have non-grain-fed animal products in my diet.

I see taking fish oil as making the diet more normal, not less, since we went to grain-fed meat & milk & eggs just decades ago.

I myself like big babies.

 

[Thmom]

I've read the same thing Jody posted and agree with anonymommy. I think there is a BIG difference between a big baby that is big because you ate well and a big baby that is big becuase your body isn't processing sugar properly. I think that with the former the body is performing as it should and it's not going to produce a child that can not exit kwim as with the latter your body is performing insufficiently and I believe could possibly cause a baby that is "too big" though in my mind that has to be a REALLY big baby lol... of course this connects with my other tyrade of the problem with having big babies is that women are more seditary now than they were 200 years ago so birthing them is harder.

 

[birthdancedoula]

My babies were 8, 9.5, and 10#, respectively, and I ate a healthy vegan diet with each one. No hx of big babies in my family, no GD either. I did add flax oil to my daily smoothies but I honestly think it was my craving for carbs that made my guys so big.

 

[Carolinamidwife]

We had one client who was an obsessive consumer of protein/vitamin shakes and she went on to have an 11 pound 12 ounce baby and a true shoulder dystocia and pp hemorrhage. But in that case she was consuming massive quantities of protein... flax... I'm not so sure.

 

[crsta33]

I've been taking flaxseed oil during this pregnancy to help with constipation, so I'm really curious about this causing bigger babies. Is there anywhere I can find more information about the effects of flaxseed oil on a growing fetus?

Thanks!

Christa

 

[Jane]

I'm thinking out loud here:

Flax seed oil (omega 3 in general) have a documented anticoagulent effect.
Is is possible the placenta is getting better blood flow and more nourishment because of this effect?

It was studied (and dismissed) as a preventative for pre-eclampsia, which is a process marked by decreased pelvic blood flow.

 

[mmaramba]

Am I the only one who *likes* the idea of a "big" baby, assuming it's big b/c it's healthy? I mean, fewer positioning problems, better postnatal outcomes... and fat is squishy!

 

[MonicaS]

This is interesting. My 1st two babies were the normal, mainstream type PGs. The only thing I thought to do nutritionally was consume more water the 2nd time to help avoid the bad swelling I had the 1st time.

With my HB, I took flax oil, along with Chlorophyll and health food store pre-natals. She was 8#14, whereas my biggest baby before her was 8# 1/2oz. They were born right around their EDDs. I also ate all the carbs I wanted, though.

I gained the same amount of weight w/ my biggest as I did w/ my 7# 12oz baby.

 

[birthdancedoula]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apricot Flax seed oil (omega 3 in general) have a documented anticoagulent effect.

You know, someone suggested to me that reason I bled a lot after birth was due to my intake of flax oil. I think I just had uterine atony from birthing a 10# kiddo but the research I've done on the subject has been fascinating.

Very interesting thread.

 

[Jane]

Flax is interesting - I do wonder if it is going to be like some vitamins: Get all you want IN food but not in suppliment form.
The preliminary research on stroke and high blood pressure is interesting.