According to Gram Research analysis, a 2025 cross-sectional study of 127 pregnant women in Germany found that 75.6% currently take omega-3 supplements, with women reporting midwives as information sources being nearly 7 times more likely to supplement. The internet was the most common information source (73.2%), followed by gynecologists (56.7%). However, researchers caution that this small, exploratory study cannot prove that information sources actually caused supplement use, and larger prospective studies are needed to confirm these patterns.
A new study from Germany looked at where pregnant women get information about omega-3 supplements and whether it affects whether they take them. Researchers surveyed 127 pregnant women at a hospital and found that most get information from the internet, their doctors, and books. The study discovered that women who talked to midwives were more likely to take omega-3 supplements during pregnancy. However, the researchers caution that this study is small and exploratory, so we cannot yet say for certain that midwives actually convinced women to take these supplements.
Key Statistics
A 2025 cross-sectional study of 127 pregnant women in Germany found that 75.6% reported current omega-3 supplementation, while 34.6% reported preconception omega-3 use.
According to research reviewed by Gram, pregnant women who reported midwives as an information source had 6.84 times higher odds of taking omega-3 supplements during pregnancy compared to those who did not consult midwives.
In a 2025 survey of 127 pregnant women, the internet was the most frequently reported source of information about dietary supplements at 73.2%, followed by gynecologists at 56.7% and books at 37.0%.
A 2025 study found that pregnant women reporting digital or media sources as information had 6.59 times higher odds of preconception omega-3 use, though researchers noted these estimates were imprecise with wide confidence intervals.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether the sources where pregnant women learn about supplements (like the internet, doctors, or midwives) connect to whether they actually take omega-3 supplements.
- Who participated: 127 pregnant women attending a university hospital in Germany between June 2024 and January 2025. The group was highly educated, which means the results may not apply to all pregnant women.
- Key finding: Women who reported talking to midwives about supplements were nearly 7 times more likely to take omega-3 during pregnancy. Women who used digital or media sources were also about 6.5 times more likely to have taken omega-3 before pregnancy.
- What it means for you: If you are pregnant, talking to a midwife or healthcare provider about supplements may help you make informed decisions. However, this study is small and exploratory, so these findings need to be confirmed with larger research before we can be confident about the actual impact.
The Research Details
This was a cross-sectional study, which means researchers took a snapshot in time rather than following people over months or years. Pregnant women filled out an online survey between June 2024 and January 2025 at a German university hospital. The survey asked them about whether they currently take omega-3 supplements, whether they took them before pregnancy, their education level, how many children they have had, and where they get information about dietary supplements like the internet, doctors, midwives, books, or social media.
The researchers then looked for patterns between where women reported getting information and whether they took omega-3 supplements. They used statistical methods to calculate odds ratios, which is a way of comparing how much more or less likely one group is to do something compared to another group.
Understanding where pregnant women get health information is important because it can help doctors, midwives, and public health officials know the best ways to share accurate information about supplements. If certain sources of information are connected to supplement use, healthcare providers can use those channels more effectively to help pregnant women make healthy choices.
This study has some important limitations to understand. The sample size is small (127 women), which means the results are less reliable than larger studies. The women surveyed were highly educated and attended a university hospital in Germany, so the findings may not apply to all pregnant women, especially those with different education levels or in different countries. The study is exploratory, meaning it was designed to find patterns worth studying further, not to prove cause and effect. The researchers themselves note that the wide confidence intervals around their findings mean the estimates are imprecise.
What the Results Show
Three-quarters of the pregnant women surveyed (75.6%) reported currently taking omega-3 supplements, while about one-third (34.6%) said they took omega-3 before becoming pregnant. The internet was by far the most common source of information about dietary supplements, with 73.2% of women reporting they used it. More than half (56.7%) reported getting information from their gynecologists, and 37% mentioned books.
When researchers looked at specific sources, they found that women who reported midwives as an information source had much higher odds of taking omega-3 during pregnancy (6.84 times higher). Women who reported digital or media sources had higher odds of having taken omega-3 before pregnancy (6.59 times higher). However, the researchers emphasize that these estimates were imprecise, meaning the true numbers could be quite different from what the study found.
Interestingly, the study found no clear connection between how much education a woman had and whether she took omega-3 supplements. This was surprising because education level is usually connected to health behaviors, but in this highly educated sample, it did not seem to matter.
The study noted that the internet was overwhelmingly the most popular information source, used by nearly three-quarters of participants. This suggests that online resources play a major role in how pregnant women learn about supplements. The relatively high use of gynecologists as information sources (56.7%) shows that healthcare providers remain important trusted sources, even in the age of internet information.
Previous research has shown that educational attainment often predicts health behaviors, but this study did not find that pattern. This may be because the sample was unusually well-educated, which could have masked differences that would appear in a more diverse group. The high rate of omega-3 supplementation (75.6%) in this German sample is notably higher than in some other populations, suggesting that cultural or healthcare system factors may influence supplement use.
This study has several important limitations. First, it is small with only 127 participants, making the results less reliable. Second, the women surveyed were highly educated and attended a university hospital in Germany, so the findings may not apply to pregnant women with less education or in other countries. Third, this is a cross-sectional study, which means it captures one moment in time and cannot prove that information sources actually caused women to take supplements. Fourth, the study cannot determine whether women received omega-3-specific advice from these sources or whether they used these sources before or after deciding to take supplements. Finally, the confidence intervals are very wide, meaning the true effect could be much smaller or larger than estimated.
The Bottom Line
Based on this exploratory research, pregnant women should discuss omega-3 supplementation with their healthcare providers, including doctors and midwives, who can provide personalized advice based on individual health needs. While the internet is a common source of information, it is important to verify information with qualified healthcare professionals. The evidence from this study is preliminary and should not be considered definitive guidance.
Pregnant women and those planning pregnancy should be aware of this research, as it highlights the importance of getting supplement information from trusted healthcare sources. Healthcare providers, midwives, and public health officials may find this useful for understanding how pregnant women seek health information. However, because this study is small and exploratory, it should not yet change clinical practice or individual decision-making.
This study does not address how quickly omega-3 supplements work or when benefits appear. That would require different types of research. If you are considering omega-3 supplementation during pregnancy, discuss timing and expected benefits with your healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I take omega-3 supplements during pregnancy?
Omega-3 supplementation during pregnancy is recommended in certain settings for maternal and fetal health. Discuss with your doctor or midwife whether it is appropriate for your individual situation, as recommendations may vary based on your diet and health status.
Where do most pregnant women get information about supplements?
According to a 2025 study of 127 pregnant women, the internet is the most common source (73.2%), followed by gynecologists (56.7%) and books (37%). However, consulting healthcare providers like midwives and doctors is important for personalized advice.
Do midwives influence whether pregnant women take omega-3?
A 2025 exploratory study found pregnant women who reported midwives as an information source had much higher odds of taking omega-3 supplements. However, the study cannot prove midwives caused this difference, and larger research is needed to confirm this relationship.
Is education level connected to taking supplements during pregnancy?
This 2025 study found no clear association between educational attainment and omega-3 supplementation in a highly educated sample of pregnant women. Education may matter differently in more diverse populations.
Can I rely on internet information for supplement decisions during pregnancy?
While 73.2% of pregnant women use the internet for supplement information, it is important to verify online information with qualified healthcare providers. Your doctor or midwife can provide personalized guidance based on your individual health needs.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track which sources you consult when researching pregnancy supplements (internet, doctor, midwife, books, social media) and note the date you started any new supplements. This helps you understand your own information-seeking patterns and can be useful to discuss with your healthcare provider.
- Use the app to log conversations with your healthcare providers about supplements and to save reliable information sources they recommend. Create a reminder to discuss supplement plans at your next prenatal appointment rather than relying solely on internet research.
- Over the course of your pregnancy, track which information sources you found most helpful and trustworthy. Note any changes in supplement use and correlate them with specific conversations or information you received. Share this information with your healthcare team to help them understand what influences your health decisions.
This article summarizes exploratory research and is not medical advice. Omega-3 supplementation during pregnancy should be discussed with your healthcare provider, including your doctor or midwife, who can assess your individual health needs and provide personalized recommendations. Do not start, stop, or change any supplements without consulting your healthcare provider. This study is small and preliminary; larger research is needed to confirm these findings. If you are pregnant or planning pregnancy, work with qualified healthcare professionals to make informed decisions about supplementation.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.