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Q&A: Is seafood safe during pregnancy?

What about fish? I know that fish is healthy and good for me and my baby, but I’m worried because I have also heard that certain kinds of fish may contain too much mercury? What kinds of fish are okay to eat during pregnancy and which should I avoid?

Re: What about fish? I know that fish is healthy and good for me and my baby, but I’m worried because I have also heard that certain kinds of fish may contain too much mercury? What kinds of fish are okay to eat during pregnancy and which should I avoid?

You are right! Fish and shellfish are good sources of high quality protein and other essential nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids. But, some types of fish do contain more mercury than others -- eat these in limited amounts, or avoid them entirely. Keep in mind the following basic rules, and check out the FDA or EPA for more extensive info.

[ ] Never eat shark, swordfish, king mackerel, or tilefish.

[ ] Limit lower mercury fish such as canned light tuna, shrimp,salmon, catfish, and tilapia to 12 ounces (two average meals) a week.

[ ] Albacore “white” tuna has more mercury than canned light tuna, so limit your intake to one serving (six ounces) per week.

[ ] Fish sticks and fast-food sandwiches are usually made from low mercury fish. (And that's the only time we'll recommend the drive through!)

Denise Gershwin, CNM | May 20 , 2009 2:07 PM

re: Q: Is Seafood Safe?

I see shrimp on the list, but what about other shellfish, like lobster and clams?

Siobhan and Mark | November 08 , 2007 6:25 PM

re: Q: Is Seafood Safe?

I wanted to know the same thing...Is crab ok? I haven't seen that anywhere. Its crab feed season coming up and I am going to be totally upset if I have to cut that out too!! =)

Lde | November 12 , 2007 2:26 PM

re: Q: Is Seafood Safe?

I am concerned about this, too, and so I asked my marine biologist sister. She recommended I check out the OceansAlive website, which has a pdf guide to the safest choices. You can download it: http://www.environmentaldefense.org/documents/1980_pocket_seafood_selector.pdfIn general, small seafood is lowest in mercury (so crab, lobster, and clams are not a problem), but the top predators (like tuna and shark) end up with a lot more mercury in their bodies, which is why we should limit intake of those bigger fish.Hope this helps!

CraftyRachel | February 04 , 2008 4:31 PM

re: Q: Is seafood safe?

ohh i did not know shrimp was not good durung pregnacy aslo have a question i am having loose bm's is htis ok? does anyon else have this it si the second day of it i am six weeks

CHAPPYWIFE | September 28 , 2008 8:41 AM

re: Q: Is seafood safe?

First, use spell check or people assume you have a low IQ and should be getting basic health education first before specific education on pregnancy issues.Then, read the CNM (Certified Nurse Midwife) answer again. You definitely did not understand her response.Call your practitioner about your loose stools as I'm not sure you absorb information from this site and need more one-on-one education.

nomadicnurse | December 13 , 2008 11:15 AM

re: Q: Is seafood safe?

To "nomadicnurse".... women are just trying to get information from these bulletin boards. What does it matter if they spell things wrong? You obviously understood the question she was asking, mispelled words and all. Also, rather than criticize someone who may not have read thoroughly enough, how about helping out. Or stop writing on here altogether. I'd rather be reading women's helpful comments rather than hearing drama.To Chappywife~ I would let your practitioner know about your bowel movements. I'm in my 6th week as well and I keep going back and forth, from constipation to loose stools. It could be what you're eating or the vitamins your taking. But definately look into it.

lil_mo_2 | December 15 , 2008 12:57 PM

re: Q: Is seafood safe?

It's amazing how judgemental and rude someone (nomadicnurse) can be! Wow, you must be the world's first perfect human...congrats! I think you might be on the wrong website.

luvobx18 | December 23 , 2008 12:42 AM

re: Q: Is seafood safe?

How about sushi with cooked foods like shrimp tempura and california rolls? Can we eat this?

maddm78 | December 27 , 2008 4:58 PM

re: Q: Is seafood safe?

I would like to know about sushi as well. I have been craving it I'm having a hard time giving it up.

kimjj1025 | January 08 , 2009 10:18 AM

re: Q: Is seafood safe?

I would really like to know if crab is ok too? Nothing i have read has mentioned it.

MRSBEK | January 20 , 2009 4:50 PM

re: Q: Is seafood safe?

Theoretically, you could eat cooked food sushi like california rolls -- this isn't really "sushi." California rolls are made with imitation crab, usually pollock, which is on the good list. Real crab, however, it depends on what kind of crab. Check that PDF CraftRachel posted, it's got everything!

jaydeen | March 05 , 2009 4:24 PM

re: Q: Is seafood safe?

So is raw fish a big no no? I love sushi, but if I have to give it up 9 months for baby's sake I guess I'll have to. Does sushi fall into a different category than cooked fish or is it included in the only eating 8 oz/week?

rcollier_17 | March 19 , 2009 8:56 AM

re: Q: Is seafood safe?

First, let me say that the whole mercury thing as you can see is not a HUGE worry, key concept- everything in moderation! Fish build levels of mercury from eating other fish, that's why shark and the large 'preditor' fish have higher levels and should be avoided. CRAB: safe to eat during pregnancy and actually a HIGH source of Folic Acid!! (that's what ur prenatals are for!) So all the crab lovers endulge!SUSHI: if it's cooked it's ok, if it's not cooked it's not ok because of possible parasitic infection. It has nothing to do with the mercury. U don't want to eat food that can have parasites that will harm the growing fetus. Still keep in mind the weekly recommended amounts of fish altogether.To the NomadICNurse: why is it that nurses seem to be such brats to other women, like they're so beneath them...?? I'm a nurse myself and would never talk to someone the way you did. You should be ashamed, afterall a nurse is someone who is supposed to support and teach other people, they are "caretakers" You OBVIOUSLY missed that concept in your schooling. So here's a tip keep your thoughts to yourself and quit acting like you're the only "qualified individual" on the Bump! Take your attitude and hormones somewhere else!

farrellashleigh | March 29 , 2009 12:21 PM

re: Q: Is seafood safe?

Totally anecdotal and probably silly...but when my mother was pregnant with me, she had a huge craving for fish and chips. Ate them ALL the time while she was pregnant. As for me, I have a very high IQ - maybe it was all the fish!And I agree that in countries like Japan, Norway, Sweden, etc. they certainly don't cut all fish out of their diet when pregnant.

MissFreo | March 30 , 2009 2:39 PM

re: Q: Is seafood safe?

wow...i can't believe someone can be so judgemental without even knowing a person. nomadicnurse i hope you're not a real nurse because your bedside manner is just awesome...iam premed and its people like you who disgust me and make me wonder why you even wanted to be in the healthcare business. iam sure its not for the general wellfare of people. anyways iam ttc and just browse through trying to get information, so maybe she didn't read the article. however, iam sure you are going to correct my grammar and use of all lowercase letters as well.

keitichan3 | March 31 , 2009 5:49 PM

re: Q: Is seafood safe?

I think its great that people stood up for CHAPPYWIFE. I really hope that the genuine responses that came from one person being so downright mean and condiscending show others on this site 99% of the people here are willing to help and here to find answers. I am going to dinner tonight and really want my garlic buttered shrimp. I am 4 weeks along and dont eat shrimp often, I am still not sure if I will order it but I know I will get me steak :D I'm not really craving yet so I can't use that excuse. I hope everyone learned something from these posts

HARVEY2009 | April 09 , 2009 2:54 PM

re: Q: Is seafood safe?

is shrimp crap and lobster ok to eat

WEBACTION TRISTA | May 20 , 2009 12:52 PM

re: Q: Is seafood safe?

Hi! I thought that canned tuna was fine.... i eat 2 cans per week with my salad, but this morning i heard on the radio that the mercury in a tuna salad or in a can of tuna may cause Austism. I had planned to eat my tuna today for lunch, and now I dont know what to do!

josefinarinke | June 26 , 2009 8:44 AM

Q&A: Is seafood safe during pregnancy?

Thanks so much for that pocket seafood guide, CraftyRachel. I am a major fish eater (about 5-7 meals per week - I crave fish all the time, even when not pregnant) so this guide will definitely come in handy. I had no idea that there was so much diversity in salmon, depending on its origin! There's no way that I could possibly remember all of that info, so I will print the guide out and laminate it!

thevahvah | August 08 , 2009 9:18 AM

Q&A: Is seafood safe during pregnancy?

For anyone who has an iPhone or iPod Touch, there's a great $0.99 app called "Safe Seafood". It's very handy when I'm at a restaurant or the grocery store trying to decide what fish to get. For example, did you know that farmed salmon has a higher risk of containing contaminants (mercury, PCBs, etc.) than wild salmon? If you don't have an iPhone or iPod Touch, the NRDC has great information on their web site. There's even a PDF version of a wallet card "cheat sheet" you can print out and keep with you: http://www.nrdc.org/health/effects/mercury/walletcard.pdf

ddemeo | August 19 , 2009 7:59 AM

Q&A: Is seafood safe during pregnancy?

This comment is for nomadicnurse. Maybe you should learn to respect people before you make comments to people in a chat room. If you are so educated as you attempt to protray that you are, then you should have reallized how rude of a person you are. Many on us are first time mothers and are here just to get answers to questions and tell our stories, we do not need person like you putting everyone down.

contnx | October 12 , 2009 6:21 AM

Q&A: Is seafood safe during pregnancy?

I have to confess, I've eaten sushi! Sashimi too! The real raw stuff! As many have pointed out, mercury in some types of fish can be unsafe, but I thought the main issue with sushi or sashimi was the risk of food-borne illness. Sushi is generally very carefully prepared and I only eat it at restaurants where this is clearly the case. I wouldn't pick some up at a gas station or anything. I really don't think I'm any more likely to get food poisoning from a sushi restaurant than any other restaurant, not to mention something as seemingly benign as a bag of spinach or a jar of peanut butter. Unlike alcohol or caffeine where the risks associated with consumption are constant and known, raw fish, or lunch meat for that matter, is only dangerous due to the remote possibility it could be contaminated. Honestly, I would eat a nice piece of yellow-tail sashimi before I'd eat the potato salad at the picnic. For those of you who don't particularly like sushi, avoiding it entirely is certainly away to avoid the risk, however remote. As for something to avoid, I've read that sprouts, like you'd get in a salad bar or on a sandwich, are actually one of the most likely sources of food-borne illness because of they way they are grown. Just something to think about and one gal's opinion.

titania9 | October 25 , 2009 1:31 PM

Q&A: Is seafood safe during pregnancy?

To nomadicnurse, this is a website for mothers to get information and share information, this is not a spelling website, or a grammer correction class, maybe you are on the wrong website. That was very rude and your comment was not needed at all. Please do us and yourself a favor and do not comment if you dont have nothing nice to say!!!

46188 | January 31 , 2010 6:34 PM

Q&A: Is seafood safe during pregnancy?

I see a lot of questions about sushi. Anything raw is a risk in and of itself so it's a no no while pregnant. However, sushi rolls containing cooked shell fish are totally safe. My mother in-law is Japanese so we always indulge in sashimi when we go to visit. Women in Japan don't even eat the raw stuff. I'm pregnant now and trust me...it sux that I can't eat some of my fav. sashimi!

TheParrellas | February 12 , 2010 4:00 PM

Q&A: Is seafood safe during pregnancy?

I was confused about raw sushi as well, on whether or not it's safe during pregnancy - so I asked my doctor. He said it's totally fine, and it's healthy, and just to stay away from the high mercury fish. And everything in moderation. I really think that if you go to a good sushi restaurant, they have much higher quality food preparation standards than most "cooked food" restaurants. I've never, EVER gotten sick from a sushi restaurant - and I can't say the same for other restaurants.

septemberbride07 | February 23 , 2010 8:44 AM

Q&A: Is seafood safe during pregnancy?

I'm a nurse too. I have spell check but also type fast and hit submit too quickly. Relax everyone and let her crankiness go. The pocket guide mentioned above is good. My doc said to limit lobster because of mercury especially the "roe" the innards - red and green in the lobster have high mercury amounts. Still the best info I read so far on here was MODERATION. I know pregnancy makes you crave food in insane quantities (I went through a fruit phase don't advise 10 kiwis in one sitting..lol) good luck ladies!

goldilocksnbears | February 25 , 2010 7:48 AM

Q&A: Is seafood safe during pregnancy?

Sushi w/ immitation crap (cod isn't it?), or even real crab?

nmkent707 | February 26 , 2010 12:16 AM

Q&A: Is seafood safe during pregnancy?

i live in New Orleans and it's crawfish season -- anyone know about those critters??? i NEED some!!!!!

kaseyson | March 18 , 2010 8:50 AM

Q&A: Is seafood safe during pregnancy?

I totally understood everything ChappyWife was saying and its indeed rude to "attack" someone like that on such a friendly site. wow. by sticking up for her lil_mo_2 actually answered my question because i was wondering the same thing about the bowels. as for the fish, i am THE biggest seafood lover and i was so unsure about what i couldnt eat that i tossed out everything just to be safe. thank you for all the responses because i feel so much better knowing that i can have my california rolls and even my shrimp. whew!

askewmyers | April 22 , 2010 1:11 AM

Q&A: Is seafood safe during pregnancy?

ok i'm on my first pregnancy and at 6 weeks. I am a nurse so I asked the dietician/nutritionist. she said that the tuna/large fish/sharks should be avoided since they receive mercury from all the fish they eat and they also have fat reserves which is where the mercury additionally stores through out the fish's body. I LOVE sashimi and asked her about it and she said its a no, she said we aren't worried about normal food poisoning as much as normal parasites we encounter when we eat raw fish. she said normal OUR body can fight it off but BABY can't. she also said if you did get food poisoning while pregnant its very risky and can have detrimental results. she said most shrimp/lobster/crab is actually cooked before we get it, or its a fake lobster/crab meat made from cooked fish. so she said stick to sushi rolls with cooked contents and items low in mercury. SHE ALSO LOVED THE PDF someone linked to! and i LOVE the iphone app! she broke it down for me to easier understand, 1) if it eats other fish -- NO 2) if its a fatty fish ----- NO 3) if its raw ------ AT YOUR OWN RISK as long as it isn't previously said NO by 1 or 2 i just LOVE fish, it was my DAILY staple until now... hope this helps, but that pdf was the best

nursenhowell | June 04 , 2010 11:03 AM

Q&A: Is seafood safe during pregnancy?

The risk with sushi isn't to do with mercury. All uncooked foods (including the soft, raw cheeses you may have given up) may be contaminated with Listeria. It's best to avoid because Listeria can cause severe food poisoning symptoms and you can't afford to be sick with anything right now if you can help it. So that means no raw meats, no raw or unpasteurized dairy, and be more careful when preparing food to avoid cross-contamination.

trailrider | June 22 , 2010 5:30 PM

Q&A: Is seafood safe during pregnancy?

What to expect when you're expecting has a list of seafood and it says that king crab and dungeness is ok 1-2 times a week. The main thing is no raw seafood, the last thing you want is food poisoning! And to nomadicnurse, get bent!

NoisyCricket | February 22 , 2011 3:31 PM

Q&A: Is seafood safe during pregnancy?

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bobylee | July 27 , 2011 4:46 AM

Q&A: Is seafood safe during pregnancy?

this website has a complete list, they also have a wallet card you can print: http://www.nrdc.org/health/effects/mercury/guide.asp

lenoragl | August 03 , 2011 3:32 PM

Q&A: Is seafood safe during pregnancy?

for a complete list check out the national resources defense council website: http://www.nrdc.org/health/effects/mercury/guide.asp they also have a printable wallet card

lenoragl | August 06 , 2011 11:29 AM

Q&A: Is seafood safe during pregnancy?

I really didn't know that. I used to eat fish while I was pregnant because no one ever told me that certain kinds of fish are not recommended. It's good to know, just in case we decide to have another baby. I’m happy that eating fish didn't affect my child's health. He’s a healthy boy and he's growing up fast. That soy baby formula does wonders.

SofiaOtter | December 06 , 2011 8:32 AM

Q&A: Is seafood safe during pregnancy?

Is boiled shrimp good for my baby.

mita30 | December 11 , 2011 6:24 PM

Q&A: Is seafood safe during pregnancy?

I think that sea food is good but not all sea food is safe for you while you are pregnant.I have a friend who is a doctor at a holistic drug rehab Florida center and I think she can tell you for sure if all sea food isn't safe for you or only certain kinds of fish are not recommended.

Starky20 | December 27 , 2011 5:15 AM

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you asked...

Q&A: Is seafood safe during pregnancy?

Re: What about fish? I know that fish is healthy and good for me and my baby, but I’m worried because I have also heard that certain kinds of fish may contain too much mercury? What kinds of fish are okay to eat during pregnancy and which should I avoid?

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Q&A: Is seafood safe during pregnancy?

Q&A: Is seafood safe during pregnancy?

Q&A: Is seafood safe during pregnancy?

Q&A: Is seafood safe during pregnancy?

Q&A: Is seafood safe during pregnancy?

Q&A: Is seafood safe during pregnancy?

Q&A: Is seafood safe during pregnancy?

Q&A: Is seafood safe during pregnancy?

Q&A: Is seafood safe during pregnancy?

Q&A: Is seafood safe during pregnancy?

Q&A: Is seafood safe during pregnancy?

Q&A: Is seafood safe during pregnancy?

Q&A: Is seafood safe during pregnancy?

Q&A: Is seafood safe during pregnancy?

Q&A: Is seafood safe during pregnancy?

Q&A: Is seafood safe during pregnancy?

Q&A: Is seafood safe during pregnancy?

Q&A: Is seafood safe during pregnancy?

Q&A: Is seafood safe during pregnancy?

Q&A: Is seafood safe during pregnancy?

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