Fish and Pregnancy

It is recommended that pregnant women eat at least 12 oz of fish each week but that they avoid fish with increased mercury levels. Nearly all fish and shellfish contain traces of mercury. For most people, the risk of mercury by eating fish and shellfish is not a health concern. Yet, some fish and shellfish contain high levels of mercury that may harm an unborn baby or young child's developing nervous system.

The risks from mercury in fish and shellfish depend on the amount of fish and shellfish eaten and the levels of mercury in the fish and shellfish. Therefore, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are advising women who may become pregnant, pregnant women, nursing mothers, and young children to avoid some types of fish and eat fish and shellfish that are lower in mercury.

By following the following recommendations for selecting and eating fish or shellfish, women and young children will receive the benefits of eating fish and shellfish while reducing their exposure to the harmful effects of mercury. Note: Follow these same recommendations when feeding fish and shellfish to your young child, but serve smaller portions.

1. Eat up to 12 ounces (2 average meals) a week of a variety of fish and shellfish that are lower in mercury.
2. Do not eat Shark, Swordfish, King Mackerel, or Tilefish because they contain high levels of mercury.
3. Five of the most commonly eaten fish that are low in mercury are shrimp, canned light tuna, salmon, pollock, and catfish.
4. Another commonly eaten fish, albacore ("white") tuna has more mercury than canned light tuna. So, when choosing your two meals of fish and shellfish, you may eat up to 6 ounces (one average meal) of albacore tuna per week.
5. Check local advisories about the safety of fish caught by family and friends in your local lakes, rivers, and coastal areas. If no advice is available, eat up to 6 ounces (one average meal) per week of fish you catch from local waters, but don't consume any other fish during that week.

The following are a list of FAQs and topics to cover all of your seafood and pregnancy-related concerns:

• Mercury Levels in Seafood
• Fish, Mercury and Pregnancy
• How Safe is Sushi in Pregnancy?
• How Safe is it to East Sushi or Raw Fish During Pregnancy?
• Can I Consume Omega-3s During Pregnancy?
• Is Smoked Seafood Safe During Pregnancy?
• Ciguatera Fish Poisoning and Pregnancy

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