Pregnancy is often a time of joy and anticipation—but it can also come with uncertainties. One of the biggest concerns is preterm birth, defined as delivery before 37 weeks of gestation. Roughly 1 in 10 women in the U.S. experience preterm births, making it a leading cause of infant mortality, disability, and long-term health issues.
While some risk factors are well known—like hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and smoking—the root causes of premature delivery are often complex and unclear. In recent years, however, a growing body of research has highlighted the importance of omega-3 fatty acids, particularly DHA, in supporting full-term pregnancies.
The Takeaway: Two Critical Steps for Expecting Mothers
If you want to reduce your chances of preterm delivery with DHA supplementation, here's what the research consistently recommends:
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Test your omega-3 DHA status before and during pregnancy.
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Personalize your DHA intake based on test results.
Let’s explore the science that supports this personalized, data-driven approach.
New Zealand Study Challenges Assumptions
A March study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition examined DHA levels in pregnant women with obesity—a group considered high risk for preterm birth. Surprisingly, despite assumptions that their omega-3 levels would be low, the women had comparable or higher DHA levels than pregnant women in other countries.
This unexpected result may be due to higher fish intake—28% reported eating two or more servings per week. The researchers concluded that blanket DHA supplementation guidelines might not suit all populations and instead recommended targeted screening to identify women most likely to benefit from supplementation.
Why Omega-3 DHA Is So Valuable During Pregnancy
Among all omega-3s, DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) stands out for its role in pregnancy. DHA is a critical nutrient found in fish, fish oil, and prenatal supplements, and it's been strongly linked to reduced risk of preterm and early preterm birth.
A landmark 2018 Cochrane Review analyzed 70 randomized trials with nearly 20,000 women and found:
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11% lower risk of preterm birth
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42% lower risk of early preterm birth
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10% lower risk of low birth weight
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25% reduction in perinatal death
The review was so conclusive that researchers declared further placebo-controlled trials were no longer necessary to prove DHA’s effectiveness in reducing preterm birth risk.
The ORIP Trial: A Conflicting Perspective
In 2019, the ORIP Trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine cast doubt on these conclusions. It found no benefit of DHA supplementation in women with low baseline DHA levels.
But experts raised questions about this study:
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Supplementation was stopped at 34 weeks, while most studies continued until delivery.
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The study included twins, which are known to shorten gestational length.
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The DHA increase reported was lower than expected—suggesting compliance issues.
Dr. Kristina Harris Jackson of OmegaQuant noted that the dose and duration may have been insufficient, and emphasized the need for better test-based personalization of DHA intake during pregnancy.
Personalized DHA Supplementation: A Smarter Approach
It’s not enough to recommend DHA to all pregnant women. What really matters is your starting DHA level.
A 2024 study in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology revealed that DHA supplementation is most effective when levels are low to begin with. For women already getting sufficient DHA from diet or supplements, additional intake may have little or no benefit.
Testing: The First Step in a Healthy Pregnancy Plan
Testing your DHA level is simple, safe, and affordable. Research shows women with low DHA levels have a 10-fold higher risk of early preterm birth.
Launched by OmegaQuant in 2019, the Prenatal DHA Test uses a finger-prick blood sample to determine your DHA status. A 5% DHA level is considered the most protective.
Recommendations based on test results:
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>5% DHA: Continue supplementing with at least 200 mg/day
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3–5% DHA: Increase to 600–800 mg/day
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<3% DHA: Consider 800–1000 mg/day
The test can be repeated throughout pregnancy to guide adjustments in supplementation and ensure optimal protection.
Supplementing with Confidence
While general guidelines suggest pregnant women consume two servings of DHA-rich fish weekly or take 200 mg of DHA daily, most fall short:
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The average intake is around 60 mg/day
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Only 10% of pregnant women take an omega-3 supplement
If dietary changes aren’t realistic, high-quality supplements become crucial. Ballstad Omega-3 offers premium, highly bioavailable DHA that can help bridge the nutritional gap and support a full-term, healthy pregnancy.
Every Pregnancy Is Unique
Pregnancy is deeply personal, and so is nutrition. While sharing experiences with other expectant mothers can be helpful, your body’s needs are your own.
With an easy DHA test and the right support, you can tailor your prenatal care to what matters most—a healthy baby and a healthy you.
Ballstad Omega-3 supports this personalized journey with clean, effective DHA formulations made for expectant mothers who want the very best start for their children.
Credit: OmegaQuant Website
