Prenatal Omega-3 Test

A test designed for pregnancy. Measures your Prenatal Omega-3 Index — Omega-3 DHA, the long-chain omega-3 most concentrated in your baby's developing brain, eyes, and nervous system — from a single finger-prick blood sample.

Reference ranges are tuned specifically for pregnancy, and the test can be repeated each trimester so you can see your status respond to diet and supplement changes.

Licensed Omega-3 Index methodology. We're the first Australian laboratory — and the only one in Asia-Pacific — licensed to deliver the Omega-3 Index using the original methodology defined by Harris & von Schacky (2004) and cited in 450+ peer-reviewed publications.

Designed to complement SAHMRI's Omega-3 Test-and-Treat Program

From 2026, South Australia became the first jurisdiction in the world to offer omega-3 testing free to pregnant women through SA Pathology — a result of decades of research led by the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), with national rollout in progress. Our test gives you the same monitoring at home, anywhere in Australia, across multiple time points through pregnancy.

What you'll learn

• Your Prenatal Omega-3 Index — DHA as a percentage of total fatty acids
• Reference range: 2.2–8.7%. Optimal in pregnancy: 4.9–8.0%
• Pregnancy-tuned scale: Low (<2.2%), Suboptimal (2.2–4.9%), Optimal (4.9–8.0%), Elevated (>8.0%)
• Plain-English interpretation for what your level means in pregnancy
• Personalised daily dose recommendation based on your result
• Trend tracking across multiple tests through your pregnancy
• Quality-reviewed PDF report formatted for sharing with your GP, obstetrician, or midwife

Why testing matters before supplementing

Published research (including the SAHMRI ORIP Trial, NEJM 2019, n=5,517) shows that the benefit of higher-dose omega-3 supplementation in pregnancy depends on your starting level. Women with low DHA (≤4.1%) early in pregnancy who took 900 mg/day of higher-dose DHA-rich supplementation saw substantial reductions in early preterm birth risk. Women with already-adequate levels (>4.9%) did not see the same benefit and may not benefit from over-supplementation. The case for testing first is clear: tailor what you take to what you actually need.

How it works

Order online → kit arrives in 2-4 business days → one finger-prick onto the dried blood spot card → drop in any post box (reply-paid envelope included) → results in 3-5 business days from when the lab receives your sample.

Method

Analysis is performed by gas chromatography with flame ionisation detection (GC-FID) — the reference method for fatty acid analysis. Initial testing recommended before 20 weeks gestation; DHA levels take 2–3 months to fully incorporate into RBC membranes, so allow at least that long between retests to see meaningful change.

Made in Australia

TGA-registered Class IIa Medical Device (ARTG 526367), manufactured in Australia. Sample analysis by our accredited Australian laboratory partner.

Information only. Not a diagnostic test. Always discuss results with your GP, midwife, or obstetrician.