EATING FISH DURING PREGNANCY AND BREASTFEEDING - IS IT SAFE?
OB-GYN practices across the United States have been advising pregnant patients to decrease their mercury intake based on findings and recommendations from the FDA. While we know that fish and shellfish are an important part of any healthy diet, we also know that they all contain some level of mercury. Certain fish and shellfish contain higher levels of mercury than others. You may be asking yourself, "Can I eat fish while pregnant, and if so, what kind?" Dedicated to Women OB-GYN has compiled a brief list of what you should look for in eating fish or shellfish during your pregnancy and/or during breastfeeding. If you have any further questions or concerns, please make sure you discuss them with your physician. Dedicated to Women OB-GYN is dedicated to keeping you and your baby as healthy as possible.
1) Shark, Swordfish, King Mackerel and Tilefish
contain higher levels of mercury than any other fish
or shellfish; therefore, do not eat these types while
pregnant or breastfeeding.
2) Try to limit the intake of fish and/or shellfish you eat
to up to 12 ounces a week. You will want to make
sure that these 12 ounces are eaten in smaller meals
2-3 times a week and contain a VARIETY of fish or
shellfish.
a) Fish and/or shellfish low in mercury include:
shrimp, canned LIGHT tuna, salmon, pollock, and catfish.
Fish sticks and fast food sandwiches generally are made
from fish that are low in mercury.
b) Canned White (ALBACORE) Tuna and
Tuna Steaks contain more mercury than
Canned LIGHT tuna; therefore, eating only
6 ounces a week of canned white (Albacore)
tuna or tuna steaks is recommended.
3) As for fish your family or friends may have caught
from local rivers and streams, check advisories
regarding the safety of the fish. You can find this
information at your local health department. If there
is no advice, only consume up to 6 ounces in one
week. Also, if you eat 6 ounces of stream and river
caught fish, then do not eat any other fish or
shellfish during that same week. Remember, we are
trying to keep mercury levels down to a minimum
during pregnancy and during breastfeeding.
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