Flaxseed oil during pregnancy: beneficial properties, contraindications, precautions

general information

The flax seed product is a storehouse of nutrients, vitamins, fatty acids and microelements. Thanks to this remedy, you can prevent many diseases and get rid of some problems.

Composition and calorie content

The calorie content of 100 g of butter is 900 kcal.
The product contains no carbohydrates and proteins, but contains 98 g of fat. The composition includes:

• vitamins E, K, C;
• iodine, zinc, phosphorus, selenium;
• phytosterols;
• saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids;
• antioxidants;
• retinol

The combination of all elements provides significant benefits to the body. Unsaturated fatty acids are especially important for women, and the vitamins C, E, and K contained in the oil have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the cardiovascular system and strengthen the immune system.

Benefits of flaxseed oil

Constant use of the product affects the body as follows:

• normalizes metabolism;
• improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract;
• strengthens the immune system;
• reduces blood pressure;
• prevents the appearance of gallstones;
• fights excess weight;
• has a wound healing effect;
• has a beneficial effect on blood vessels;
• normalizes hormonal levels.

The product can be consumed internally and used externally. The method of application depends on what results you expect.

Who shouldn't

Not all expectant mothers are allowed to use this wonderful product. Before you uncork the bottle and try the first spoonful of the drug, you need to discuss possible contraindications with your doctor. There are a lot of them.

• Contraindications common to all:
• Exacerbation of pancreatitis and cholecystitis.
• Exacerbation of intestinal diseases.
• Tendency to diarrhea.
• Individual intolerance to the substances contained in the oil (rare).

In addition, pregnant women in the third trimester should absolutely not take flaxseed oil. Studies have shown that it can cause premature birth. The interaction of fatty acids with vitamins A and E can activate the uterine muscles, which is why there is a risk of contractions starting prematurely.

Selection and storage

When choosing a product, you should pay attention to its color. It should be gold or brown. To protect against the penetration of sunlight and light, a competent manufacturer packages the product in dark bottles.

It is better to purchase oil made no later than 2 months ago. You cannot skimp on it and take it in large quantities, since after opening the bottle can be stored for no more than a month.

A quality product does not have the burnt taste or smell of fish oil.
It is recommended to buy the product in stores that have a healthy food department. In pharmacies, flax seed products are sold in capsules. The oil is stored in a dark, cool place, protected from moisture and heat.

What are the benefits of flaxseed oil for expectant mothers?

Pregnant women have to adjust their lifestyle and diet. You should not take medications or multivitamin complexes without consulting a doctor. Therefore, doubts about whether flaxseed oil can be taken by pregnant women are well founded.

If you decide to “feed” your body with flax seed oil, first consult with your pregnancy doctor. As a rule, in the absence of contraindications, expectant mothers are allowed to use it.

How the product is useful for mother and baby:

1. Cleansing the blood vessels promotes better blood supply to the woman’s body and placenta. Consequently, the fetus receives more oxygen and nutrients.
2. Reducing the risk of blood clots.
3. Normalization of metabolism and other vital processes that have gone astray due to hormonal changes.
4. Increasing immunity , which is very important for a pregnant woman. Any acute respiratory viral infection can negatively affect the development of the fetus.
5. Relief from constipation . Unfortunately, this problem is familiar to many pregnant women.

Omega 3, 6, 9 fatty acids contribute to the proper formation of the baby’s nervous system and brain structures.

The product is an excellent prevention of fetoplacental insufficiency and diabetes. It improves mood, prevents depression, and minimizes the effects of stress.

You can start taking flaxseed oil in early pregnancy, but it is better to wait until the second trimester. Sometimes drinking flaxseed oil for the first week of pregnancy can cause a miscarriage.

Experts' opinion

According to doctors, flaxseed oil during pregnancy can harm the body. There are several contraindications for use, and if at least one applies to a woman, then you should avoid using the product.

The main danger of the product is that it increases intestinal motility. This can cause contraction of the muscles of the uterus, thereby triggering premature birth.

The safest way for an expectant mother to use a flax product is external use.

Can pregnant women eat flax seeds?

Flax seeds are no less useful than oil. They contain lignates. They can prevent cancer and normalize hormonal levels.

The seeds are rich in fiber. It helps cleanse the body and normalize digestion. Flaxseed is a source of vegetable protein that is beneficial for pregnant women.

Of course, they contain Omega fatty acids and vitamins, micro- and macroelements, just like oil.

Flax seeds during pregnancy will have a beneficial effect on the woman’s body and the fetus. But they can only be taken after consulting a doctor, as they have a number of contraindications.

These include:

• cholelithiasis;
• increased uterine tone, threat of miscarriage;
• hormonal imbalances;
• uterine fibroids;
• problems with the urinary tract.

If there are no contraindications, the doctor has approved the intake, you can safely take decoctions of flax seeds.

Reviews from women

Svetlana, 29 years old, Vladivostok Used the oil during pregnancy to prevent stretch marks.
I applied it daily to the stomach, sides, thighs, buttocks, and sometimes to the skin of the chest. I did this from the 12th week, when my tummy began to appear, as a result of which the first stretch marks appeared. After that, several more of them appeared. After giving birth, they became lighter and almost invisible thanks to flax oil. Veronica, 25 years old, Yekaterinburg In the 3rd trimester, I encountered such a delicate problem as constipation. I knew about the risks of inducing labor if consuming flax, so I first consulted with an obstetrician-gynecologist. He allowed me to add 1 tsp. oils in vegetable salad. This dish is present in my diet every day. The problem has disappeared.

How to drink flaxseed oil correctly

The oil is available in liquid form or in capsules. It can be bought at a pharmacy or eco-market, grocery stores. Dosage for liquid product – 1-2 tablespoons per day, for capsules – two per day.

Pregnant women should drink flaxseed oil twice a day during or after meals. Taking on an empty stomach is prohibited.

If the expectant mother does not have problems with stool, one tablespoon of oil per day or one capsule is prescribed. To eliminate a delicate problem, take two tablespoons per day or two capsules.

Flax oil can be used as a dressing for salads, cereals, herbs or nuts. But it is not advisable to add it to hot dishes. Some expectant mothers spread the product on bread and replace it with breakfast.

The course of treatment lasts a month, then a break of 30 days is required. Repeated appointments must be coordinated with the gynecologist managing the pregnancy.

When should pregnant women not take flaxseed oil and why?

The first and most important contraindication is the threat of miscarriage and uterine hypertonicity in the first trimester. If the doctor recommends bed rest and tells the expectant mother that there is a risk of miscarriage, flaxseed oil should never be taken.

The same applies to later periods: if there is a threat of premature birth, the use of the product is prohibited.

Other contraindications:

• Intestinal diseases;
• Diseases of the digestive tract, characterized by stool disorders (diarrhea);
• Hypotension, frequent decreases in blood pressure;
• Diseases of the liver and pancreas;
• Cholelithiasis or urolithiasis;
• Tendency to allergies (should be taken with caution).

Even if the expectant mother is completely healthy and feels well, the use of flaxseed oil is permissible only with the permission of a doctor.

Flaxseed oil is much healthier than sunflower and even olive oil, because it is the record holder among oils for omega-3 content. In addition, the product contains a huge amount of vitamins and nutrients, has a beneficial effect on blood vessels, the digestive system and skin condition. Its use during pregnancy is encouraged, but only after doctor's approval.

Especially for beremennost.net – Elena Kichak

The effect of flaxseed oil on pregnancy

If we talk about the impact on the health of the expectant mother and baby, it is certainly present. The product can be very useful during pregnancy, because it:

• Helps deliver beneficial substances to the fetus due to the fact that it cleanses blood vessels.
• It has a mild laxative effect, which is very important for expectant mothers.
• Reduces the risk of blood clots.
• Protects against hormonal imbalances, supports the functioning of the endocrine system.
• Positively affects the formation of the brain and central nervous system of the fetus.
• Strengthens the body's defenses.
• Reduces the risk of fetoplacental insufficiency.

Flaxseed oil is an excellent and healthy alternative to medications aimed at improving metabolism. It normalizes all biochemical processes of the mother's body.

But in the first trimester you should be careful with flax oil. Since it improves the peristalsis of the intestine, which is very close to the uterus, the contractility of the organ may also increase, which leads to termination of pregnancy. If the pregnancy proceeds without complications, the woman feels well and there is no threat of miscarriage, there are also no contraindications for consuming flaxseed oil in moderation.

More on the topic

Flaxseed oil before childbirth

Does coconut oil help with stretch marks during pregnancy?

Does olive oil help with stretch marks during pregnancy?

How to properly use sea buckthorn oil during pregnancy?

Black cumin oil during pregnancy

In the second and third trimester, flaxseed oil will only be beneficial. The expectant mother's swelling will decrease, the risk of varicose veins will decrease, and constipation will disappear. In addition, flaxseed oil has a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin, even if taken orally: the skin becomes tightened, smooth, and the likelihood of stretch marks appearing after childbirth is significantly reduced. Consumption of flax oil in the third trimester contributes to the normal development of the baby’s brain and visual organs.

However, before introducing this miraculous product into your diet, you need to visit a doctor, undergo an examination and find out whether the woman has any contraindications to its use. The only consensus is that the oil is definitely safe in the second trimester. In the first and third, it increases the activity of the uterus and can lead to miscarriage or premature birth.

What is flaxseed oil used for?

Flaxseed oil can rightfully be considered a healing folk product. In addition to unsaturated fatty acids, it contains magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, iron, zinc, manganese, copper, iodine, vitamins B, C, E, K, F, PP, a huge amount of useful acids, lipids and enzymes.

Flaxseed oil has virtually no contraindications and can be used both internally and externally. Its benefits are as follows:

• Actively cleanses blood vessels of cholesterol and improves blood circulation.
• Improves the digestion process and relieves constipation.
• Relieves exacerbations of gastrointestinal diseases, gently envelops the walls of the stomach and intestines, protecting against pain, bloating, flatulence and heartburn.
• Accelerates metabolic processes at the cellular level.
• Strengthens the immune system and protects against viral diseases.
• Supports normal hormonal levels.
• Removes waste and toxins from the body.
• Improves skin condition, moisturizes, gives firmness and elasticity.

Flaxseed oil is taken in all regions, at any age, to prevent pathological conditions and improve well-being. In addition, it is a valuable cosmetic product.

Flax oil can be added to face and body cream or used as a massage product. It deeply moisturizes the skin, eliminates stretch marks, intensively nourishes the epidermis and makes the skin of problem areas more elastic. If you rub it every day where necessary, you can completely avoid stretch marks.

Flaxseed oil also improves hair condition. You can make a mask with this product 1-2 times a week, and within a month you will notice that your hair has become more manageable, softer, dandruff and split ends have disappeared.