Calvin was a 42-week baby. We didn’t miscalculate the due date, although there is definitely room for error. When my midwife checked him out, she noted that he was definitely at 42 weeks and he would’ve been content hanging out in the womb for yet another week.
Why, oh why was that the case? I did every natural induction method that I could find and yet, he stubbornly stayed where he was.
The answer, I suspected, was because of my super awesome and potent pre-natal vitamins. An article recently published in the Journal of Pediatrics confirms my suspicions.
I was taking some uber-loaded DHA all throughout pregnancy. Turns out it’s not only important post-partum while you’re breastfeeding baby, but it’s actually the most beneficial during the 3rd trimester. Oh, and it causes a longer gestation period.
J.L. Jacobson, et al. found that increased levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are associated with increased visual acuity, heightened cognitive and motor development in infants in their first 11 months, according to a study of more than 100 children and their moms. By the way, the DHA also causes longer gestation period (sorry, mom!).
The authors concluded that DHA is a critically important fatty acid during the third trimester. It enhances the formation and development of nerve receptors and photoreceptors in baby’s brain and spinal cord. Smart baby, healthy baby, long pregnancy.
Minimum requirements of DHA for nursing moms is 400 mg. During pregnancy, I was getting close to 1000 mg per day.
Filed under: NUTRITION, Pregnancy | Tagged: DHA, NUTRITION, Pregnancy
