Can I take cod liver oil while pregnant?

Author

Mia Ramsey

Published Mar 06, 2026

Can I take cod liver oil while pregnant?

No. When you're pregnant you shouldn't take any supplements containing vitamin A, also known as retinol. This includes: fish liver oil supplements, such as cod liver oil.

Considering this, is cod liver oil safe to take during pregnancy?

Supplements made from the body (flesh) of fish, often called omega-3 supplements, are safe to take in pregnancy. However, you need to check that nothing else has been added to the supplement. Supplements made from the liver of fish, such as cod liver oil, are not safe to take in pregnancy.

Also Know, what happens if you take fish oil while pregnant? Omega-3 fatty acids have positive effects on the pregnancy itself. Increased intake of EPA and DHA has been shown to prevent pre-term labor and delivery, lower the risk of preeclampsia, and may increase birth weight. Omega-3 deficiency also increases the mother's risk of depression.

Likewise, when should I stop taking cod liver oil during pregnancy?

I generally recommend stopping fish oil supplements temporarily sometime between 36-38 weeks until after you give birth.

Is it safe to take omega-3 during pregnancy?

Pregnant women should be sure to take a daily supplement that provides a minimum of 300 mg of DHA at the very least. The official omega-3 of the American Pregnancy Association is Nordic Naturals' Prenatal DHA, which provides 480 mg DHA and 205 mg of EPA per serving (2 soft gels).

Can cod liver oil cause birth defects?

Also keep in mind that while cod liver oil is a good source of DHA, you need to avoid it during pregnancy. That's because cod liver oil contains a type of vitamin A that can cause birth defects, especially when consumed during the first trimester.

What does cod liver oil do for babies?

Rickets is a bone condition in children caused by lack of vitamin D. But the health benefits of cod liver oil may not end there. The powerful nutrient-dense composition of cod liver oil also is thought to reduce inflammation, promote brain function, improve eyesight, and boost the immune system.

What vitamins should be avoided during pregnancy?

Supplements to avoid during pregnancy

Vitamin A. You'll often find vitamin A in your prenatal vitamins since it's so important.
Vitamin E.
Black cohosh.
Goldenseal.
Dong quai.
Yohimbe.
Other herbal supplements considered unsafe during pregnancy.

Can I take cod liver oil and folic acid together?

No interactions were found between Cod Liver Oil and folic acid.

Does cod liver oil have side effects?

When taken by mouth: Cod liver oil is LIKELY SAFE for most adults when taken by mouth. It can cause side effects including belching, bad breath, heartburn, loose stools, and nausea. Taking cod liver oil with meals can often decrease these side effects. High doses of cod liver oil are POSSIBLY UNSAFE.

When should I take cod liver oil morning or night?

Since omega-3 fatty acids work on the same biochemical pathways as NSAIDs, taking your fish oil supplement in the evening could make it easier to get out of bed in the morning with greater comfort.

What is the most important vitamin during pregnancy?

Folic acid, also known as folate, is a B vitamin that is important for pregnant women. Folic acid may help prevent major birth defects of the fetus's brain and spine called neural tube defects (NTDs). How much folic acid should I take?

When should I stop taking folic acid during pregnancy?

When should I stop taking folic acid? Once you reach 12 weeks pregnant your baby's spine will have developed, so you can stop taking folic acid if you wish. However you can continue to take supplements after 12 weeks if you choose to and it won't harm your baby to do so.

What vitamins help you get pregnant faster?

There are many vitamins to help get pregnant, but these, according to the experts, are some of the best conception vitamins for women.

Folic Acid.
Vitamin E.
Vitamin D.
Fish Oil.
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
Selenium.
Folic Acid.
CoQ10.

What happens if you take too much folic acid when pregnant?

But even though folic acid is important, taking too much could be problematic. Research is pointing to some possible negative effects of consuming too much folic acid, such as impaired fetal growth, increased risks of childhood diseases like asthma and autism, and promoting the growth of some cancer cells.

What happens if you don't take folic acid during pregnancy?

If you do not get enough folic acid before and during pregnancy, your baby is at higher risk for neural tube defects. Neural tube defects are serious birth defects that affect the spine, spinal cord, or brain and may cause death.

Can I take vitamin C while pregnant?

You can easily get the vitamin C you need from fruits and vegetables, and your prenatal vitamins also contain vitamin C. It's not a good idea to take large doses of vitamin C when you're pregnant. The maximum daily amount that's considered safe is 1800 mg for women 18 and younger and 2000 mg for women 19 and over.

How long does it take for cod liver oil to work?

Taking cod liver oil may help control blood sugar in people with diabetes during pregnancy. This might help to prevent complications at birth. It may take up to 12 weeks for benefit.

How much fish oil should a pregnant woman take?

During pregnancy, women need at least 200 milligrams daily of this powerful omega-3 fatty acid to support the development of baby's brain, eyes and nervous system. Plus, getting that daily dose of DHA has been shown to prevent pre-term labor, increase birth weight, and support postpartum mood in new mothers.

How important is omega-3 during pregnancy?

Adequate consumption of omega-3 fatty acids is vitally important during pregnancy as they are critical building blocks of fetal brain and retina. Omega-3 fatty acids may also play a role in determining the length of gestation and in preventing perinatal depression.

When should I take omega-3 in pregnancy?

If you are pregnant with one baby, take omega-3 supplements each day starting from around 12 weeks of pregnancy onwards. Take at least 500mg of DHA per day. or your baby any extra benefit. Once you have had your baby you can stop taking omega-3s.

Does fish oil increase fertility?

After examining data from nearly 1,700 young men, researchers determined that fish oil supplement consumption was associated with a higher sperm count, larger testes and improved levels of hormones that contribute to male fertility, according to the report published in JAMA Network Open.

Is Magnesium good during pregnancy?

Why you need magnesium during pregnancy

Research suggests that getting adequate magnesium during pregnancy can help prevent the uterus from contracting prematurely. Magnesium also helps build strong teeth and bones in your baby.

How can I improve my baby's brain during pregnancy?

But here are six simple, research-supported ways to help boost your baby's brain development in utero.

Take a Hike. Well, it doesn't have to be a hike, a 30-minute walk will do the trick!
Food as Medicine.
Supplement A Healthy Diet.
Read to Your Bump.
Get More Sleep.
Get Geared Up.

Does fish oil help baby brain development?

Fish oil contains omega-3 fatty acids, which play a vital role in fetal growth and development. In utero exposure to omega-3 fatty acids is exclusively dependent on maternal nutrition. Previous studies have suggested that prenatal fish oil supplementation has positive impacts on child neurodevelopment later in life.

How can I make my baby intelligent during pregnancy?

Are you pregnant?8 simple things you can do to have an intelligent baby

Start a storytime habit.
Eat healthy.
Stay fit and active.
Play music and get talking.
Keep thyroid levels in check.
Don't ignore the supplements.
Get a little sunshine.
Gently massage your tummy.

How much DHA during pregnancy is too much?

If you want to take more, studies have shown that doses up to 1000 mg DHA daily to be safe during pregnancy.

How much DHA do you need when pregnant?

Pregnant people should take at least 200 milligrams (mg) of DHA before, during, and after pregnancy. Ross says most prescription prenatal vitamins contain the recommended dose of 200 mg of DHA.

Is Omega 6 good pregnancy?

Omega-6: getting a healthy balance

Like Omega-3 fatty acids, the Omega-6 fatty acids found in vegetable oils are beneficial in supporting heart health and positively impact blood cholesterol. Consuming recommended amounts during pregnancy will help to build up your baby's stores, ready for life after birth.

Continue Reading

Who scored 100 international goals first?

How do I check my LTE?

Why is Small Business Saturday important?

Can I take cod liver oil while pregnant?