DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)

How much DHA is recommended in pregnancy?

Updated 9 Nov 2026

Short answer

EFSA advises 100 to 200 mg of DHA a day on top of the 250 mg of EPA and DHA advised for all adults.[1] The UN Food and Agriculture Organization advises at least 300 mg of EPA and DHA a day, of which 200 mg is DHA.[1]

A guideline in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology Maternal-Fetal Medicine goes further for women with a low DHA intake, under 150 mg a day. It advises 600 to 1000 mg a day of DHA and EPA, or of DHA alone, started no later than week 20. Its aim is to lower the risk of preterm birth.[1] US bodies also advise 8 to 12 ounces a week of fish that is lower in mercury.[1]

Sources (1)

  1. Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. ods.od.nih.gov

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For education; not medical advice. Talk to a doctor before you start, stop or change a supplement.