Many practitioners now recommend that expectant mums take an omega-3 oil supplement alongside their pre-natal vitamins. Jessica Simkin, nutritionist and founder of Body Awakening, explains why.
What is omega-3/DHA?
Omega oils are the essential fatty acids required by our body. DHA is one of two fatty acids largely found in fish and fish oils; they can also be found in flaxseeds and flaxseed oil, and walnuts and walnut oil. Your best sources of it come from eating wild caught fish and further supplementing with fish oils. It’s necessary that we obtain these essential fats through our diet as they can’t be produced internally. They serve many essential functions and are important for both our physical and mental health.
Tell us a bit more about how it’s sourced.
DHA is most commonly found in fish oil and krill oil. Krill oil tends to be a slightly better choice as it contains more DHA than many other fish, including salmon. Also, krill is lower on the food chain so it also tends to be lower in heavy metals and toxins than oils from larger fish.
Why would you recommend taking it during pregnancy?
Omega-3s and especially DHA are recommended during pregnancy because they’re vital for the development of the brain and eyes of the foetus. The human brain relies heavily on DHA, and pregnancy increases those needs as the baby receives all its DHA from the mother. Supplementing with omega-3 oils both supports the developing foetus and protects the mother against deficiency.
Body Awakening is at 1003, 43-55 Wyndham Street, Central.
8192 7636 | body-awakening.net
Well-Rounded Approach
Some say it takes a village to raise a child, but for many women a good support team is essential from pregnancy onwards! Osteopath Ines De Beer opened The Round Clinic in May this year; here she introduces us to its practitioners who are supporting mothers and their children from pre-pregnancy to birth and beyond.
As an osteopath herself, Ines looks to natural treatments that support and help the body during various stages of the process of childbirth – before, during and after pregnancy. Her team members at The Round Clinic all have different specialities, but with the same natural, holistic approach and goals.
Acupuncturist Michelle Law works to strengthen the function of the reproductive system and hormonal balance before conception. A structural problem in the lumbar spine or a pelvic misalignment can also affect the chances of conceiving. Ines says: “I always recommend that mothers-to-be address their back pain or old back or hip injuries before they start a pregnancy, as the weight of the baby and the structural and hormonal changes in the body will put extra strain on an already misaligned pelvis.” Ines and fellow osteopath Julia Santos assist with this both before and during pregnancy.
The newest addition to the clinic is Sofie Jacobs, who is both a registered midwife and a certified Pilates teacher, specialising in one-on-one post-natal rehab of pelvic floor and abdominal strength after giving birth.
Ines is known for seeing babies with head asymmetries, colic, reflux, and more. Older children with gait issues, injuries and headaches are also treated at the clinic. The clinic’s homeopaths, Michelle Ricaille and Lisa Griffiths, look after both children and mothers; Michelle focuses mainly on food allergies, eczema and nutritional support, and Lisa’s interests lie in supporting the emotional wellbeing of mothers.
The Round Clinic is at One Island South, 2 Heung Yip Road, Wong Chuk Hang.
2648 2612 | theroundclinic.com
