Researchers in South Australia tested whether checking pregnant women’s omega-3 levels early in pregnancy could help prevent premature birth. They added an omega-3 test to routine pregnancy screening and found that doctors and pregnant women were willing to use it. About 15% of women tested had low omega-3 levels. The test was quick and accurate, suggesting this approach could become a normal part of pregnancy care. This is important because omega-3 fatty acids may help babies stay in the womb longer and develop properly.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Can doctors easily add an omega-3 blood test to regular pregnancy checkups, and would pregnant women agree to it?
  • Who participated: Over 18,000 pregnant women in South Australia who came for routine early pregnancy screening before 20 weeks of pregnancy, along with their doctors and healthcare providers
  • Key finding: About 26% of pregnant women agreed to the omega-3 test, and about 15% were found to have low omega-3 levels. The test results came back quickly and accurately, showing the program could work in real pregnancy care settings.
  • What it means for you: If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, this suggests a simple blood test might become available to check if you need omega-3 supplements. This could potentially help reduce the risk of delivering your baby too early, though more research is needed to confirm the benefits.

The Research Details

This was an implementation evaluation study, which means researchers watched how well a new program worked when added to real-world pregnancy care. They didn’t randomly assign women to different groups; instead, they offered the omega-3 test as an option during routine pregnancy screening in South Australia from April 2021 to June 2022.

The researchers used a framework called QUERI (Quality Enhancement Research Initiative) to guide their work. This framework helps researchers figure out if new health programs can actually work in everyday medical settings, not just in controlled research environments.

They tracked how many women agreed to the test, whether the test results were accurate and quick, and what the results showed about omega-3 levels in the pregnant women who participated.

This type of study is important because it shows whether a good idea can actually work when doctors try to use it in their regular clinics. Even if omega-3 supplements help prevent early birth, the program only works if pregnant women and doctors will actually use it. This research answers the practical question: ‘Can we really do this in a busy pregnancy clinic?’

This study has several strengths: it included a large number of women (over 18,000), the test results were processed quickly and accurately (97.6% completed within 72 hours), and the women who got tested were similar to those who didn’t, suggesting the program didn’t just reach certain groups. However, this study only looked at whether the program was feasible, not whether it actually prevented early births. That would require a larger study following women over time to see if omega-3 supplements actually reduced premature births.

What the Results Show

The program showed strong uptake and acceptance. Starting with just 15 test requests in April 2021, the number grew to 340 requests per month by June 2022. Overall, about 26% of pregnant women who came for routine screening agreed to the omega-3 test.

When the tests were performed, the results showed that omega-3 levels varied among pregnant women: about 51% had sufficient levels, 34% had moderate levels, and 15% had low levels. This means that a meaningful portion of pregnant women might benefit from omega-3 supplementation.

The laboratory processing was efficient and reliable. Nearly all samples (97.6%) were analyzed within 72 hours, which is fast enough for doctors to give women timely recommendations during their pregnancy care.

The program successfully reached the right population. The women who chose to get tested had similar backgrounds and characteristics to those who didn’t, meaning the test wasn’t just being used for certain types of women.

A small number of test requests (33 out of 4,801, or 0.7%) were submitted for women beyond 20 weeks of pregnancy, and 58 requests (1.2%) were for women carrying twins or multiples. These findings suggest the program guidelines were mostly followed correctly, though there’s room for improvement in ensuring tests are done at the right time in pregnancy.

This research builds on earlier studies suggesting that omega-3 fatty acids may help prevent premature birth. Previous research has shown that women with low omega-3 levels have higher risks of delivering early. This new study shows that testing for omega-3 levels is practical and acceptable in real pregnancy clinics, which is an important step forward in turning scientific findings into actual patient care.

This study only looked at whether the program was feasible and acceptable—it didn’t prove that omega-3 supplements actually prevent early birth. To know if the program truly works, researchers would need to follow pregnant women over time and compare birth outcomes between those who received omega-3 supplements and those who didn’t. Additionally, this study was done in one region of Australia, so results might differ in other countries or healthcare systems.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, the omega-3 test appears to be a practical option that could be offered during routine pregnancy screening. However, pregnant women should not start taking omega-3 supplements based on this study alone. Talk to your doctor about whether omega-3 testing and supplementation might be right for you. The evidence suggests it’s safe and worth discussing, but larger studies are still needed to confirm it prevents early birth. Confidence level: Moderate—the program is feasible, but we still need proof it prevents premature birth.

This research is most relevant for pregnant women, especially those interested in preventing premature birth, and for doctors and midwives who provide pregnancy care. Women with a personal or family history of premature birth might find this particularly interesting. This research is less relevant for non-pregnant people, though it could be useful information for those planning pregnancies.

If you were to get an omega-3 test and start supplementation, you wouldn’t see immediate changes. The goal is to maintain healthy omega-3 levels throughout pregnancy to support your baby’s development and reduce the risk of early delivery. Benefits would be measured over months of pregnancy, not days or weeks.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your omega-3 test results and supplementation intake. Log the date of your omega-3 test, your result level (low, moderate, or sufficient), and daily omega-3 supplement doses if recommended by your doctor. This creates a record to discuss with your healthcare provider at future appointments.
  • If your doctor recommends omega-3 supplements based on test results, set a daily reminder to take them at the same time each day (such as with breakfast). Use the app to log when you take your supplement and note any side effects or concerns to discuss with your doctor.
  • Use the app to track your pregnancy milestones alongside your omega-3 supplementation. Record your prenatal visit dates, any discussions about omega-3 with your healthcare provider, and any changes in your pregnancy care plan. This helps you stay engaged with your pregnancy health and provides useful information for your doctor.

This research describes a program to test omega-3 levels in pregnancy, but does not prove that omega-3 supplements prevent premature birth. Pregnant women should not start taking omega-3 supplements or make changes to their pregnancy care based on this study alone. Always consult with your obstetrician, midwife, or healthcare provider before starting any supplements during pregnancy. This information is educational and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Individual circumstances vary, and what’s right for one person may not be right for another.