UK: Eating fish during pregnancy could cut a woman's odds of developing post-natal depression

Eating oily fish while pregnant 'cuts chances of post-natal depression'

Stocks built up during pregnancy appear to give a woman's mental health a boost months later. Post-natal depression affects up to 13 per cent of new mothers – and lasts more than a year in severe cases, even with counselling and medication.

However, too much oily fish in pregnancy can be bad for the baby’s development, so experts say it is important that mothers-to-be strike a balance when trying to boost their levels of omega-3, the news source wrote.

For the study, 26 women took a fish oil capsule, containing 300mg of the omega-3 fat DHA, five times a week from around the 24th week of pregnancy. Another 26 took a placebo pill containing corn oil.

After their babies were born, those who had taken the omega-3 scored better on a questionnaire designed to spot symptoms of post-natal depression. 

For example, they were less likely to say they suffered from anxiety or a loss of self-worth, the annual Experimental Biology conference heard.

University of Connecticut researcher Dr Michelle Price Judge told the newspaper: 'DHA consumption during pregnancy – at levels that are reasonably obtained from foods – has the potential to decrease symptoms of [post-natal] depression.'