Do You Need a DHA Prenatal Supplement?

The short answer is yes, you do need a DHA prenatal supplement if you want to provide the best chance for your baby’s healthy brain development. 

DHA can do wonders in your baby’s brain development, provided you take the needed amount every single day throughout your pregnancy. You can absolutely do that through food and most supplements, but sorting foods is a hassle, and supplements are as annoying and forgetful as they get.

So, you do need DHA, you just can’t be bothered more than you already are with the baby taking karate lessons in your womb. 

So, let’s have a look at why you should still squeeze through these difficulties for the sake of taking DHA, and show you a little something in the end that practically eliminates all of these difficulties. 

A Little About DHA

Before we know whether something is useful for you or not, let alone needed, you need to understand what exactly that thing is.

So, what is DHA in prenatal vitamins?

DHA, or docosahexaenoic acid, is an omega-3 fatty acid that your body uses to build and maintain cell membranes, particularly in your brain and eyes.

Your body can make small amounts of it from other omega-3s you eat, but not nearly enough to meet your needs during pregnancy. That's why most doctors recommend getting it through your diet or supplements.

You'll find DHA naturally in fatty fish like salmon, sardines, and mackerel. It's also in some algae, which is where fish get their DHA in the first place.

When you're pregnant, your baby pulls DHA directly from your stores to grow their rapidly developing brain and eyes. This means you need significantly more than usual to support both of you without depleting your own levels. 

DHA Supplement Pregnancy Benefits

So, why do you need a DHA supplement for your pregnancy?

1. Supports Fetal Brain Development

Your baby's brain grows faster during pregnancy than at any other time in their life. DHA makes up about 97% of the omega-3 fatty acids in the brain and 25% of the brain's total fat content. Without enough DHA, your baby's brain cells can't form properly or communicate effectively with each other.

Research shows that mothers who maintain adequate DHA levels during pregnancy have children with better cognitive function, problem-solving skills, and attention spans.

The third trimester is especially critical because this is when your baby's brain accumulates DHA at its fastest rate. You're literally helping build the neural pathways your child will use for learning and thinking throughout their entire life.

2. Supports Fetal Eye (Retinal) Development

DHA isn't just concentrated in the brain. It also makes up about 93% of the omega-3 fatty acids in your baby's retina. The retina is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye that converts what you see into signals your brain can understand.

Your baby's eyes start developing around week 4 of pregnancy and continue maturing well into the third trimester.

Related: What Are the Best Pregnancy Supplements?

3. Reduces the Risk of Preterm Birth

Preterm birth, defined as delivery before 37 weeks, is one of the leading causes of infant health complications. Multiple studies have shown that women with higher DHA levels during pregnancy have a lower risk of early delivery.

A large review of clinical trials found that omega-3 supplementation, particularly DHA, reduced the risk of preterm birth by 11% and early preterm birth (before 34 weeks) by 42%.

While researchers are still studying exactly how DHA prevents preterm labor, the evidence is strong enough that many obstetricians now recommend it as part of routine prenatal care.

4. Supports a Healthy Birth Weight

Low birth weight can lead to various health challenges for newborns, including difficulty regulating body temperature, feeding problems, and increased risk of infections. DHA plays a role in supporting healthy fetal growth throughout pregnancy.

Studies show that mothers with adequate DHA intake tend to have babies with healthier birth weights.

This happens because DHA supports placental function, which determines how efficiently nutrients reach your baby. Better placental health means better nutrient transfer, which translates to healthier growth patterns throughout pregnancy.

5. May Help With Maternal Postpartum Mood

Pregnancy depletes your DHA stores as your baby pulls from your reserves to support their development. Some researchers believe this depletion may contribute to postpartum mood changes and depression in some women.

While the research is still evolving, several studies suggest that maintaining adequate DHA levels during and after pregnancy may help support a more stable maternal mood.

Women with higher DHA intake have reported fewer symptoms of postpartum depression, though more research is needed to fully understand this connection. What we do know is that keeping your own DHA levels adequate protects both your health and your baby's development.

What Is the Best Source of DHA?

The best source of DHA is GOJOY’s Choline and DHA Supplement. Not only do you get all the benefits of DHA that we mentioned earlier, but you also get the benefits of Choline, which is of no less importance than DHA. Here’s how choline helps your baby:

• Supports neural tube development - Choline works alongside folate to help your baby's spine and brain form properly during the earliest weeks of pregnancy, reducing the risk of birth defects.

• Enhances memory formation - Your baby's hippocampus, the brain region responsible for memory, relies heavily on choline during development. Adequate choline intake has been linked to better memory function in children.

• Improves cognitive processing speed - Studies show that babies born to mothers with higher choline intake process information faster and have better attention spans as they grow.

• Reduces inflammation - Choline helps regulate inflammatory responses in both you and your baby, which can protect against complications during pregnancy and support healthier development overall.

• Supports placental function - Choline helps your placenta work more efficiently, which means better nutrient delivery to your baby throughout pregnancy.

The even better news is that these choline gummies come as sugar-free gummies. They taste great without any added sugars, they’re soy-free, gluten-free, and non-GMO. This essentially makes them vegan gummies that are safe for anyone to consume. 

Related: 7 Surprising Choline Supplement Pregnancy Benefits

FAQs

How Much DHA During Pregnancy Do You Need?

Most experts recommend 200-300mg of DHA daily during pregnancy. Your needs increase during the third trimester when your baby's brain grows most rapidly, so consistency matters throughout your entire pregnancy.

Note: Just two GOJOY DHA and Choline gummies a day give you 300mg of choline, which is exactly your recommended dose.

Is It Safe If I Accidentally Take More DHA Than Recommended?

Yes, occasional higher doses are generally safe. Studies using up to 1000mg daily showed no adverse effects. However, stick to recommended amounts unless your doctor advises otherwise, especially if you take blood thinners.

Should I Keep Taking DHA After Birth?

Absolutely. Your baby continues getting DHA through breast milk, and your body needs to replenish stores depleted during pregnancy. Continuing supplementation supports both your recovery and your baby's ongoing brain development.

Final Words

Your baby's brain development happens once, and the nutrients you provide now shape their cognitive abilities for life. DHA isn't optional.

It's essential for building the neural connections your child will rely on forever. Combined with choline, you're giving your baby the strongest possible start while protecting your own health during and after pregnancy.

GOJOY's Choline and DHA Gummies make this easier than ever. You get both critical nutrients in one delicious, sugar-free gummy that actually fits into your routine.

No fish burps, no giant pills, no compromise on quality. Just clean, effective nutrition that supports both of you exactly when it matters most.

Give your baby the brain-building nutrients they deserve. Try GOJOY today.

Also Read: What Is the Gut-Brain Connection In Child Development?