Product Review: Expecta Lipil

I have taken the Expecta Lipil product throughout my pregnancy. Since research has shown that DHA can enhance a child's brain and eye development during pregnancy and early childhood, I was looking for an easy way to supplement my prenatal diet to include this omega-3 fatty acid.

According to WebMD.com, consumption of DHA during pregnancy and while breastfeeding "boosts baby's brain development and vision and may reduce the likelihood of future heart disease in mom." The most common way to get DHA is by eating certain types of fish, which can also increase your risk of ingesting mercury, which is not healthy during pregnancy.

This is why the Expecta Lipil product is an excellent way to supplement your DHA intake during pregnancy. The DHA in Expecta Lipil is algae-based. The pregnancy RDA for DHA is 300 milligrams. Expecta Lipil provides 200 milligrams of DHA, so you only need to take in an additional 100 milligrams/day. This is easy to do through other products that have DHA in them, such as DHA-fortified eggs and milk (Horizon Organics uses the same algae-based DHA source that Expecta Lipil does in their DHA fortified milk).

Another great thing about Expecta Lipil is that it is a small softgel, so even during early pregnancy, when you may be plagued with morning sickness, it is very easy to swallow. Also, a lot of other DHA supplements that are fish oil based can leave a bad aftertaste, which is also difficult if you are suffering from pregnancy-related nausea or heartburn. The Expecta Lipil product has a slight lemon-flavor added to it to keep the aftertaste from turning you off to the product.

Expecta Lipil is made by Enfamil, a baby formula company, so if you choose to formula-feed after pregnancy, you can purchase the DHA-fortified Enfamil product, which uses the same algae-based DHA source. If you choose to breastfeed, you can continue to take Expecta Lipil, and it will be transferred to the baby through breast milk.

You can purchase Expecta Lipil in many places. I have found it in drugstores, such as CVS or Walgreens, at grocery stores, such as Publix or Albertsons, and at stores where baby products are sold, such as Babies R Us and Target. It retails for about $12 for a 30 day supply, but each box comes with a coupon for $2 off your next purchase. Stores will sometimes run sales, so shop smart and combine a coupon with the sale, you can save money.

Some prescription prenatal vitamins are formulated to include DHA, but if yours doesn't, or you are using an over-the-counter prenatal vitamin, Expecta Lipil is a great way to reach the RDA of DHA during pregnancy and while you are breastfeeding.