Images by Meaghan Coles
Thinking about bringing a little one into the world? You need to know about this.
I’m 28 and smack-bang in the part of life where, all of a sudden, my friends have started having babies. And while I’m not entering the baby phase yet, I recently came across some information that I’ve started sharing with everyone in my life because it feels so important.
Years of diligent research at SA’s very own SAHMRI, supported by funding from The Hospital Research Foundation and the Thyne Reid Foundation, has got us to the point where we know that omega-3 plays an important part in pregnancy and reducing the risk of premature birth. And it turns out that an incredibly simple test (that can be done on blood already taken!) can detect your omega-3 levels and determine whether you need a boost or not. It’s that simple.
I’m far from an expert, so I gathered up all my million-and-one questions and asked Professor Maria Makrides. Let’s jump in!
WHAT IS OMEGA-3 TESTING USED FOR IN PREGNANCY?
This test determines the level of omega-3 fatty acids in the blood of a pregnant woman. Knowing whether you’re low in omega-3 fatty acids when you’re pregnant is important because there is a greater risk of having a premature baby when it’s low, compared to women who have sufficient omega-3. And it’s such an easy fix, as omega-3 supplements are easy to take.
One of the best ways to ensure your baby gets a good start to life is to be born at full term. Babies born too soon, especially before 34 weeks of gestation, are more likely to have lengthy hospital stays and may have longer term health and developmental problems.
WHO NEEDS TO KNOW ABOUT OMEGA-3 TESTING?
Everyone needs to know about omega-3 testing — but particularly women who are pregnant with a single baby, because multiple births bring a lot of additional factors that affect whether the babies will be carried to full term or not.
HOW IMPORTANT IS THIS RESEARCH?
If we can recreate the results of the controlled research studies within our Community Omega-3 ‘Test-and-Treat’ Program, we expect to see a reduction of about 14 percent in babies born before 34 weeks of gestation.
HOW IS OMEGA-3 TESTING DONE?
There’s nothing extra to do, as the omega-3 test can be included as part of the standard testing that happens already. All pregnant women in SA have access to the SA Maternal Serum Antenatal Screening (SAMSAS) early in pregnancy, which is run by SA Pathology. Using this standard testing form, doctors can order an omega-3 test — with or without other SAMSAS tests.
From there, SAHMRI scientists analyse the omega-3 levels, then the results are sent back to your doctor, with advice depending on whether the levels are low, moderate or sufficient.
HOW DO YOU OPT-IN FOR OMEGA-3 TESTING?
It’s simple! Your doctor or maternal care provider will discuss the range of routine screenings that are available before 20 weeks of pregnancy. All you need to do is tick the omega-3 box on the SAMSAS request form. That’s it! Just tick a box.
HOW CAN WE HELP CONTINUE THIS IMPORTANT RESEARCH?
This screening is a first for SA, and this program will give researchers even more evidence of how omega-3 levels affect babies being born prematurely.
Since we’ve begun offering the Omega-3 ‘Test-and-Treat’ Program in partnership with SA Pathology, we’ve had more than 8,000 women participate. About 15 percent of women tested low and were advised about specific supplementation.
For this program to continue making a difference to our community, we need at least eight out of ten pregnant women to tick that box. At the moment, more than 100 pregnant women in South Australia are getting tested each week — we need to double this number!
If we get the same results from this program as we got in our controlled research studies, we expect to see a reduction of about 14 percent in babies born before 34 weeks. That’s one in every seven babies prevented from being born too soon!
