Is it true you can't eat fish when you are pregnant?

Question

Or is this a stupid myth? Because I love Tilipia and shrimp and I can't go without it.

Answer 1

You can safely eat seafood during your pregnancy. What you want to avoid are

1. Uncooked raw fish
2. Certain shellfish
3. Shark
4. Excess levels of mercury

Answer 2

My GP says pregnant women can have fish during pregnancy as long as it is well cooked. I really wouldn't worry about tilapia and shrimp although I would consume the latter in moderation because it is high in cholesterol.

The NHS website says:

Fish
Oily fish is good for your health but we need to limit the amount that we eat because it contains pollutants, such as dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). If you're pregnant, you should eat no more than two portions of oily fish a week. Oily fish includes fresh tuna (not canned tuna, which doesn't count as oily fish), mackerel, sardines and trout.
There are a few types of fish that you should avoid eating while pregnant, and some others that you should limit the amount you eat. Limit the amount of tuna you eat because it contains a high level of mercury which can have a damaging effect on your baby's developing nervous system. You shouldn't eat more than one tuna steak, or four medium-sized tins (about 140g per can) of tuna a week. This works out at about six rounds of tuna sandwiches or three tuna salads.
Avoid eating shark, swordfish and marlin as these fish also contain a high level of mercury. You should also avoid eating raw shellfish when you're pregnant. This will reduce your chances of getting food poisoning which can be particularly unpleasant when you're pregnant.

Answer 3

Its true that you arent suppose to eat certain fish, or raw fish for that matter, but shrimp and tilipia arent on the banned foods list. So just remember everything in moderation and if you have any questions or concerns check with your ob or midwife!

Answer 4

Some will say it's a myth and some will say stay away. Best thing is to ask your Dr. about it. When i was pregnant I craved it and my Dr. told me not to eat more than two cans of tuna at the most a week. There is something in fish that could be harmful if you ate too much. Not to eat it is ones decision. I would put a limit on how much I ate in one week. But first before taking advise from people here, I would seek answers from my Dr and how he/she feels on the matter.

Answer 5

Not true but some fish have high levels of mercury that can affect the unborn. Many people develop food poisoning from eating fish and this would not be a good thing either.

Bottom dwelling fish like shrimp, catfish, lobster, etc are probably the worst choices. If you are going to eat fish, eat fish that have fins and scales.

Answer 6

Raw fish deffinately not. The other thing about not eating fish is that some fish contain high levels of mercury which can cause birth defects. You should also avoid things like cooked prawns and seafood entender that have beensitting in the deli because even though they are cooked they can still contain bacteria that can harm. If in doubt consult your ante natal carer.

Answer 7

No, it's not true - there are certain types of fish to avoid (like shark), because they're high in mercury levels, but most fish are fine.

Tilapia is actually one of the best ones you can have...shrimp's fine too.

Answer 8

Oh yea me too i actually had tilapia last nite. YUMMY!!! U can eat fish you just need to stay away from certian fish that contain a high level of mercury. And I think u cant eat albacore either. And definitly no sushi!

Answer 9

You can eat fish while your pregnant, but not uncooked raw fish, some shellfish, shark, but oily fish is good, common sense is all you reallly need

Answer 10

You have to avoid fish high in mercury levels, like swordfish and certain shark... other fish is great for you and your baby!