Recent study says pregnant and nursing mothers should eat fish

It has been said over the years that a pregnant or nursing mother's intake of fish should be limited due to the amount of mercury in such foods. But, a coalition of medical professionals are now saying if these women do not eat enough fish they could do harm to their babies.

NBC4.com. the District of Columbia NBC station's web site reports, "According to the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition about 90 percent of women aren't eating enough seafood. The group said pregnant and breast-feeding women should be eating at least 12 ounces of fish each week to get enough omega-3 fatty acids, or DHA, which helps babies' brain and nervous system develop."

The report contradicted a 2004 FDA recommendation saying that women should eat no more than 12 ounces of low-mercury fish each week which includes shrimp, canned light tuna and salmon. In addition, the report mentioned how eating too much fish can cause nerve damage in newborns as well as loss of motor skills and learning,

"The Group reviewed recent scientific studies and found a link between ocean fish consumption and advanced cognitive and motor skill development in children," said Group member Ashley S. Roman, MD, MPH, assistant professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology at the New York University Medical Center, who is also a mom. "Some data also shows a connection with reduced pre-term labor and post-partum depression in mothers who ate ocean fish while pregnant."