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Is It Safe To Have Fish During Pregnancy?

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Posted on Wed, 28 Jan 2015
Question: In continuation with current pregnancy can I have fish or any kind of fish has to be avoided?

Thanks for your support and care during this period.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Aarti Abraham (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Can eat certain kinds of fish, details explained.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for writing in again.
Good to hear from you, and glad you are doing well.
Fish is a great source of protein, zinc and omega 3 fatty acids that are excellent for the brain development of the baby. It is a low calorie and great food choice. YOu can go ahead and consume fish during pregnancy, however a few words of caution.
Some kind of fish contain high levels of mercury, which can be toxic to your baby and to you. Some example are - shark, mackerel, tilefish, swordfish etc ( you need to know what local varieties you generally buy and consume to know if it contains high mercury levels ).
You can take about 300 gms of fish a week ( almost 2 meal servings or 2 meals per week. ).
Some examples of good and ' safe ' fish - catfish, shrimp, trout, salmon, herrings etc.
Avoid any kind of canned or preserved fish.
Buy fresh fish that is sold hygienically and cooked thoroughly, washed thoroughly.
All the best
Please feel free to discuss further.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Aarti Abraham

OBGYN

Practicing since :1998

Answered : 6004 Questions

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Is It Safe To Have Fish During Pregnancy?

Brief Answer: Can eat certain kinds of fish, details explained. Detailed Answer: Hello Thanks for writing in again. Good to hear from you, and glad you are doing well. Fish is a great source of protein, zinc and omega 3 fatty acids that are excellent for the brain development of the baby. It is a low calorie and great food choice. YOu can go ahead and consume fish during pregnancy, however a few words of caution. Some kind of fish contain high levels of mercury, which can be toxic to your baby and to you. Some example are - shark, mackerel, tilefish, swordfish etc ( you need to know what local varieties you generally buy and consume to know if it contains high mercury levels ). You can take about 300 gms of fish a week ( almost 2 meal servings or 2 meals per week. ). Some examples of good and ' safe ' fish - catfish, shrimp, trout, salmon, herrings etc. Avoid any kind of canned or preserved fish. Buy fresh fish that is sold hygienically and cooked thoroughly, washed thoroughly. All the best Please feel free to discuss further.