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Prenatal vitamins contain essential nutrients for a healthy pregnancy. We’ve selected eight of the best prenatal vitamins, including Ritual, Natalist, and Perelel.
A varied diet is the best way to get the nutrients necessary for fetal development and maternal health.
Taking a daily prenatal vitamin alongside a balanced diet can provide reassurance that you are meeting daily nutrient recommendations for a healthy pregnancy and preventing nutritional deficiencies.
Prenatal vitamins are formulated to provide important nutrients for pregnancy, including folate or folic acid (both are forms of vitamin B9), vitamin C, vitamin D, and iron. Some also contain DHA.
The best prenatal vitamin to take during pregnancy depends on your needs. In this article, we list eight of the best prenatal supplements for different needs and advise on what to look for when choosing the right one for you.
Below, we list the places we trust to buy the best prenatal vitamins.
Medical News Today has tested some of the products below. Reviewers may have received some products from the manufacturers for free, which does not influence their review. All opinions are the reviewers’ own.
Some nutrients, such as DHA, have no DV. DHA is an omega-3 fatty acid that may help the development of the brain and eyes. Not all prenatal vitamins contain DHA, so check ingredient lists carefully.
According to one 2016 review, folate and iron are two of the most important nutrients for promoting healthy pregnancy.
Medical News Today chooses prenatal supplements that meet the following criteria:
Ingredients: MNTchooses products that are clearly labeled and contain safe and high quality ingredients. They should also confirm they are free from pesticides, heavy metals, and mold.
Dosage: MNTchooses products that clearly state the supplement dosage.
Serving size: MNTselects products in which manufacturers recommend a safe dosage.
Third-party testing: MNTchooses products that must undergo third-party testing for contaminants by an ISO 17025-compliant laboratory.
Available certificate of analysis (COA): MNTchooses companies that demonstrate transparency and share a product’s COA after receiving its third-party lab results.
Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more.
When choosing where to buy prenatal vitamins, consider the following:
Nutrient ingredients: Look at the nutrients on the product’s ingredient list. You can also discuss with your doctor which supplements you may need more of during pregnancy. Some key nutrients for prenatal vitamins include folate, iron, iodine, and vitamin D.
Amounts of nutrients: Pay attention to the amounts of nutrients in a single dose. Be careful not to take more than the daily recommended dose for any nutrient while ensuring you are receiving enough.
Third-party testing: Most legitimate vitamin brands will subject their products to third-party testing to help ensure quality and safety. All brands in this article use third-party testing.
Dietary needs or preferences: If you have specific dietary requirements, such as allergies or veganism, check that the supplement clearly states it is suitable for this diet. Natalist is suitable for many special diets.
You may also want to consider your preferred type of vitamin and budget. For example, prenatal gummy vitamins such as SmartyPants may be easier to take if you have difficulty swallowing capsules or tablets. Some brands, such as Perelel, also offer powdered versions of their prenatals.
If you are pregnant or planning to be, you can benefit from taking prenatal vitamins. This is because nutritional requirements during pregnancy differ significantly from when you’re not pregnant.
Start taking prenatal vitamins around 3 months before pregnancy, if you are planning to get pregnant. Otherwise, begin taking prenatal vitamins as early as possible during pregnancy.
Many prenatal vitamins provide a combination of vitamins and minerals, frequently including:
Vitamin B12: This vitaminplays a vital role in preventing neural tube abnormalities (NTAs), such as:
spina bifida, in which the spine does not develop properly
anencephaly, in which the baby is born without parts of its brain and skull
encephalocele, in which the membrane containing part of the brain protrudes from a hole in the skull
Folate or folic acid (vitamin B9): Folate and folic acid are two forms of vitamin B9, which can also help prevent NTAs. Folate is the version found in foods such as beans, dark leafy greens, and nuts. Folic acid is a synthetic version often added to supplements. Medical experts recommend taking a daily dose of 400 micrograms of folic acid before pregnancy and at least during the first trimester. A 2019 study shows a possible link between continued folic acid supplementation during pregnancy and healthy infant cognitive development. Learn more about folate vs. folic acid.
Iron: This mineral is important for helping prevent fatigue and anemia during pregnancy. A doctor may prescribe iron supplements if you are anemic or expecting twins.
Calcium: This mineral is important for developing healthy bones and teeth.
Vitamin D: This vitamin regulates calcium and phosphate levels, ensuring healthy teeth, bones, and muscles.
Vitamin C: This vitamin helps protect body cells from damage.
These are just some of the important vitamins and minerals you’ll find in most prenatal supplements.
According to research from 2020, many over-the-counter prenatal vitamins provide an inadequate amount of choline and vitamin D. The same research says, on the whole, these vitamins provided too much folate and unknown amounts of iodine.
A common side effect of some prenatal supplements is constipation, particularly with supplements high in iron. Some prenatal vitamins contain a form called iron bisglycinate that may minimize adverse digestive side effects.
Other potential side effects of supplements include:
Taking your supplements with a meal and a drink can reduce your risk of certain side effects, such as nausea or constipation.
Speak with a doctor if you experience side effects while taking a supplement.
If you have concerns about experiencing specific side effects, a doctor can advise on the best prenatals for you. They can also provide recommendations if pregnancy symptoms, such as nausea, make taking a prenatal difficult.
The most effective prenatal vitamins depends on your individual needs. If you have existing health conditions or a restricted diet, you may have specific dietary requirements.
Choose a prenatal vitamin that you can take easily. Gummies and softgels might be easier if you have trouble swallowing large pills.
You can ask your doctor to recommend appropriate choices.
Generally, doctors do not recommend specific brands of prenatal vitamins. However, important nutrients that doctors may recommend during pregnancy include:
folate (vitamin B9)
vitamin C
vitamin D
iodine
iron
DHA
Prenatal vitamins are most important during the first trimester, when most fetal spine and brain development occurs.
Because folate is essential to the development of the neural tube, the fetal spine and brain, aim to take a supplement with folate as early as possible to prevent neural tube defects.
You can safely take prenatal vitamins if you’re not pregnant. Doctors recommend taking prenatal supplements at least 3 months before conception.
Some prenatal supplements are formulated to be suitable from preconception to lactation, such as FullWell, for example.
If you have concerns about prenatal vitamins not meeting your nutritional needs before or after pregnancy, there are supplements specifically designed for these stages, such as the Perelel Conception Support Pack or Ritual Postnatal Multivitamin.
According to older research, taking any vitamins before or during pregnancy does not decrease the risk of pregnancy loss. However, there is evidence that multivitamins with iron and folate can decrease the risk of stillbirth.
In addition, the researchers of a 2023 study conclude folic acid — a synthetic form of folate — and vitamin B12 supplements may help improve pregnancy outcomes in those with recurrent pregnancy loss.
Seven weeks is not too late to begin taking prenatal vitamins. Aim to start taking prenatal vitamins as soon as you know you are pregnant.
Prenatal vitamins may support a healthy pregnancy and fetal development. Alongside a well-balanced diet, they can prevent nutritional deficiencies.
When choosing a supplement, consider various factors, including potential deficiencies you may want to target, what form of vitamin you would prefer, and whether you want a regular subscription.
You may want to receive professional advice before buying prenatal vitamins. A doctor can make personalized recommendations based on your health needs and preferences.
Further resources
For more in-depth resources about vitamins, minerals, and supplements, visit our dedicated hub.
Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
Fisher JA, et al. (2023). The effects of oral ferrous bisglycinate supplementation on hemoglobin and ferritin concentrations in adults and children: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10331582/
McNulty H, et al. (2019). Effect of continued folic acid supplementation beyond the first trimester of pregnancy on cognitive performance in the child: A follow-up study from a randomized controlled trial (FASSTT Offspring Trial). https://bmcmedicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12916-019-1432-4