Flax Seed Oil and Pregnancy

Is It Safe To Take Flax Seed Oil While Pregnant?

There are differing views as it relates to the taking of the flax seed oil supplement while pregnant. On one side there are those who believe that taking the supplement is good for you and your unborn child, and can only aid with the pregnancy. The other view of this is that there is information that suggests that taking flax seed oil while pregnant should not be done, as this can be extremely harmful to the unborn baby.

For Taking Flax Seed Oil – Many people take flax seed oil supplements due to it being rich in antioxidants and Omega 3s. They feel that as long as you are not taking it in excess that it would not be bad for you. They state that flax seed is a very high source of Vitamin E and essential fatty acids. It also has a loosening effect and is a strong anti-inflammatory. It is often recommended by some midwives to women who are pregnant.

Against Taking Flax Seed Oil -  There are some people who believe that it should never be taken during pregnancy because it causes uterine contractions and can lead to pre-term labor.  They point to the fact that animal studies have been done that has shown a negative correlation between flax seed oil and pregnancy.  

Reasons Why Flax Seed Oil Should Not be Taken While Pregnant

Flaxseed oil does have omega-3 in it and this can be very beneficial to pregnant women, however some doctors believe that flaxseed oil should not be taken by pregnant women.

The main reason behind this statement is based on the fact that the use of flaxseed oil during pregnancy and breastfeeding is not recommended. There have been studies that have been conducted on animals to show the harmful effects and the results show that there is a possibility. There are no studies that have been done on humans, but people base their results on the animal study. It has been shown that flaxseed oil may stimulate menstruation or have other hormonal effects and could be harmful to pregnancy.

Another reason is that flax seed is similar to soy. With that said there seems that it might have an effect on estrogen and hormones and might interfere with your body during pregnancy.

It should also be noted that flaxseed oil does not contain the same levels of DHA as fish oil. Overall fish oil can be considered better at providing you with the amount of DHA that you need. There have been some studies that have been done that show fish oil greatly support pregnancy and healthy baby development, and may even help prevent miscarriage.

The Final Answer on Flax Seed Oil and Pregnant Women?

If you are pregnant or planning on getting pregnant and are concerned about the effects that flax seed oil will have on your pregnancy, then it is best to consult with your physician. This should rule out all the bad or good information you may hear or read. Your doctor should be able to tell you specifically if it is safe or not for you to take this supplement. The doctor should go into detail and explain the risks that are possible if you take the product and also the benefits that can be had. This should clear everything up and it is the best way to get the right answer as it relates to the situation.