Explore prenatal reviews to find top vitamins for your pregnancy. Discover trimester-specific nutrients in curated packs. Choose the best fit for your journey today.
Two pink lines!! Time to celebrate, get out yourstretchy pants, and get serious about fueling your body.
Nutrition is a huge part ofprenatal care, so you’ll want to consult with a medical professional to make sure you’re getting all the nutrients you need to grow a human being.
One of the very first things on the checklist for parents-to-be is to start taking adaily prenatal vitamin. But… So. Many. Choices.
These vitamins will be part of your preggo routine for the next several months (and possibly beyond), so it’s important to choose one wisely. After all, they’re providing all the nutrients that you andyour babyneed to thrive that you aren’t able to get from your diet. BFD status!
In this article, we’ll cover all the basics you need to find the right prenatal supplement, whether you want a version that’s organic, vegan, iron-free, or even subscription-based.
Here are our favorite, dietitian-approved prenatal vitamins for 2022.
A quick look at the best prenatal vitamins
Do I need to take a prenatal vitamin?
Prenatal vitamins are specifically designed to support the increased nutritional demands ofpregnancyon a person’s body and to make sure that there’s an adequate supply of key nutrients available duringfetal developmentto optimize the baby’s health as well.
One example of this is folate. Folate needs increase during pregnancy, and the babies born from people who don’t get enough are at increased risk of debilitating spinal cord abnormalities like spina bifida.
When to start taking prenatal vitamins
You can start taking prenatals as soon as you decide that you’re ready to starttrying to have a baby.
In fact, lots of people choose to take prenatals as theirmultivitaminsall throughout their child-bearing years, just because they provide a good balance of nutrients to supportfertility, pregnancy, postpartum needs, and optimal health. This isn’t necessary by any means but can be an easy way to prep your body for baby-makin’.
How we chose the best prenatal vitamins
We spoke withLizzy Swick, MS, RDN, a private practice dietitian specializing in women’s health, about what to look for in a prenatal. “Oh boy! I could write a book on this,” she begins. Here are her recs, along with some other things we looked for in prenatals:
The key nutrients for pregnancy
Recentresearchshows that the following nutrients are super important to get enough of duringpregnancy:
As you can tell, not every person needs every single vitamin or mineral in their prenatal. Work with a healthcare pro to figure out any possible gaps in your diet or get a blood test to determine any definite deficiencies.
Designed with baby AND birthing parent in mind
“You want to ensure the proper doses are met, not just for baby, but for [the birthing parent],” Swick says.
She explains that prenatals aren’t just for the baby’s wellness, but for the birthing parent’s wellness too.
Certain nutrientshelp your bodyheal, produce milk, and prevent common postpartum conditions like maternal anemia and constipation.
Again, that means working with a healthcare pro to determine where you might be lacking based on where you live, any medical conditions, your diet, food restrictions, and lifestyle.
Bioavailability over buzzwords
“Don’t take a whole foods-based prenatal automatically assuming it’s better,” Swick says, “Some of the highest, medical-grade professional prenatals I advocate for are synthetic, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.”
She offers the example of methylcobalamin, the active form ofvitamin B12, and pyridoxal 5′-phosphate, the active form of vitamin B6. These are the most efficient forms but may not always be the ones included in a supplement.
Another example she cites is provitamin A (beta carotene from plant foods that can be transformed intovitamin Aby the body) versus preformed retinol (active vitamin A) — she recommends a mixture of the two. “It’s not what you eat,” she explains, “but what youabsorbthat matters most.”
High quality products
All of the products we’ve included on this list are either third-party tested to ensure their quality and purity, or — at a minimum — manufactured in Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) compliant or certified facilities. This means that the facilities meet the requirements of the FDA for pharmaceutical and supplement production, which we think is a MUST for any dietary supplement.
Our process and why you should trust us
This article was written by a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). We also consulted with a second RDN to get tips for choosing the best prenatal vitamins. We used those tips to pick the products below.
Before writing about those products, we put them all through a thorough vetting process that checks for unsupported health and disease claims, shady business practices, FDA/FTC warning letters, and lawsuits involving a company’s products. We also made sure that the company is transparent about the ingredients it uses, doesn’t use any illegal ingredients, and provides dosage information. Only products that passed vetting made this list.
After wrapping up our recommendations and tips, we sent this entire article to a third medical professional (in this case,Jillian Kubala, MS, RD) for review.
So basically, you can feel good knowing that we put in WORK to get you these recommendations.
Pricing guide
The 15 best prenatal vitamins
Best overall prenatal vitamin
Perelel Prenatal Packs
Perelel is a really cool vitamin subscription service that offers specially-curated vitamin packs that grow with you and your wee one based on your due date. This extra-special curation is why it’s our “best overall” pick.
The company offers theConception Support Pack,1st Trimester Prenatal Pack,2nd Trimester Prenatal Pack,3rd Trimester Prenatal Pack, and theMom Multi Support Pack.
The actual prenatal vitamin in each pack contains the same nutrients, which contains all the goodies experts recommend outside of DHA (though each pack includes a separate DHA capsule). Additionally, each pack contains extra capsules based on where you are in your pregnancy journey:
Reviews, just like thepregnant peopletaking the vitamins, areGLOWINGbut note that this is not a one pill a day situation — the packs contain up to 5 pills daily that should be taken with food.
Best prenatal vitamin with folic acid
FullWell Prenatal Vitamin
A lot of the vitamins on our list contain some form of folate but this dietitian fave contains two forms: L-5-MTHF (the most bioavailable form of folate) and calcium folinate (aka folinic acid, which is also consideredsuperior to folic acidfor supplementation).
This prenatal also contains plenty of vitamin D (4000 IU!) and 55 percent of your daily choline needs.
There isn’t any DHA though, so you’ll need to supplement that separately. You also need to take 8 capsules total, which can be TOUGH for some people. The brand says you’re able to lighten the load by taking 4 capsules twice a day, mixing the capsules intooatmealoryogurt, or blending them into a cold drink.
Many reviewers love how high quality these vites are but say they smell bad and are hard to take if you’re experiencing any nausea. The lemon flavor is also hit or miss — some love it and some say it’s the worst.
Top-rated prenatal vitamin
Thorne Basic Prenatal
This prenatal is v well-loved by consumers — with more than 3,500 reviews and a 4.6-star rating on Amazon. It has you covered on all the essentials, including folate, iodine, iron, and all your B vitamins. It also has beta carotene, vitamin A, and calcium. Thorne is a brand that’s used and recommended by many healthcare pros as well.
However, some reviewers say that the pills smell bad. Also, you’ll need to buy a separate DHA supplement since these don’t have any.
Best prenatal vitamin for hair growth
Ritual Essential for Women Prenatal Multivitamin
Ritual’ssubscription prenatal vitamin is full of easy-to-absorb nutrients for you and your little one. While they don’t contain vitamin A or vitamin B6, these vitamins are otherwise pretty dang great — with a time-release capsule and allll the ingredients you need in a single capsule (though the serving size is 2).
The products are made in a GMP-certified facility, non-GMO project verified, and third-party tested to ensure they’re free of contaminants.
The brand also carries apostnatal vitaminyou can switch to after your baby arrives. It has added vitamin A,vitamin C, and zinc to give you a little immunity boost.
Reviewers love the fresh citrus scent that helps combatnausea, but one reviewer says they seem to have a fishy aftertaste (from the DHA). Many recommend taking them at night to avoid noticing it, though.
Best subscription prenatal vitamin
Persona Prenatal
Persona is a personalized monthlyvitamin subscription service. The company offers a range of vitamins forpregnantpeople that you may get in one convenient daily pack. All you need to do is take the assessment and use your results to decide what supps you want to add to your pack.
The regular prenatal is loaded with all kinds of goodies. You can add on omega-3, vegan DHA, extra calcium, a dailyprobiotic(yay for gut health),cranberry(for urinary tract health), and/orginger extract(tofight off nausea).
The packaging is lovely, but the full prenatal pack may add some additional vitamins — increasing your daily pill count up to 6 daily. However, you can edit your cart any way you want — so if you want just the prenatal pill itself, that’s totally possible.
Best prenatal vitamin for PCOS
Care/of Prenatal
Researchshows that people withpolycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)should aim for a higher intake of folic acid, vitamin B12, vitamin D, vitamin C, calcium, potassium, magnesium, and zinc.Other researchshows that selenium, chromium, omega-3s, and probiotics are helpful for alleviating symptoms too.
Care/of offers an inexpensive prenatal in its lineup of subscription vites that contains almost all of these vitamins and minerals (woot!). Add on an omega-3 and probiotic to your subscription and you’ve got them all covered.
The prenatal itself is designed to be easy on the stomach, but it does require 3 pills daily for a full dose. Regardless, it boasts nearly everything apregnantperson needs — the only thing it’s missing is active vitamin A (oh, and amassage).
Best prenatal vitamin with DHA
NatureMade Prenatal Multi+DHA
USP, short forUnited States Pharmacopeia, is a third-party certification org that grants its seal of approval to brands that meet its strict quality standards. These prenatals are USP-verified, AND they’re extremely inexpensive — one of the least expensive options on this list. Double-win!
This softgel also contains DHA and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), another importantomega-3 fatty acid. That’s right — 1 capsule and you can cross off tons of essential nutrients.
One thing to note, though, is that this supplement doesn’t include the most bioavailable version of certain nutrients, likevitamin B12. It also contains a form of iron (ferrous fumarate) that ismore likely to cause GI issueslike constipation. But still, if you’re pinching pennies, this is an amazing option.
Best gummy prenatal vitamin (and organic!)
Garden of Life mykind Organics Prenatal Multi Organic Fruit + Vitamin Chews
Prefergummies? These gummies are immaculately sourced with organic whole-food ingredients and the equivalent of nine whole fruits in each bottle. However, a full dose is 4 gummies — which may get old after 9 months, but could be more than worth it if you have a difficult time with giant prenatal pills.
It also contains folate, which isn’t as bioavailable as folic acid or L-5-MTHF. But folate is the form found in whole foods like vegetables, so it makes sense that this whole-food gummy features it.
Reviewers love these gummies too, and say that the taste is great. But be careful with shipping: Like any gummy, they may melt if shipped in hot weather.
Best prenatal vitamin with iron
Klaire Labs Prenatal and Nursing Formula
Klaire Labs is a favorite brand among dietitians and other healthcare professionals who recommend supplements on the reg. These vitamins undergo stringent third-party testing, as well as in-house testing, so you can trust that the bottle contains exactly what the label states.
We picked this as our best prenatal with iron because it contains 100 percent of your daily iron needs. It also contains chelated iron (aka Ferrochel), which is supposed to be more bioavailable and lessconstipatingthan other forms of iron.
Many reviewers love these prenatals but some say that they smell bad. Which is fair enough — what doesn’t smell bad when you’repregnant??
Best vegan prenatal vitamin
Mary Ruth’s Prenatal & Postnatal Liquid Multivitamin
Our first liquid option, this prenatal is great for thevegansout there. It’s also a rare vegan formulation that contains choline, which is a huge plus. For first-tri (or beyond) nausea and morning sickness, it also contains stomach-soothing organicginger root extract.
Reviewers like it waaay more than pills but say that the consistency is surprisingly thick. It’s also a bit more expensive than other liquid prenatals.
Best prenatal vitamin for nausea
Ancient Nutrition Ancient Multi Prenatal
This prenatal from Ancient Nutrition may be the best of both worlds — made from whole-food ingredients with highly bioavailable forms of the included nutrients. It also includes a TCM herb blend for added support:
Reviewers love this prenatal, and it’s got great reviews — although the daily dose consists of 3 fairly large capsules. Note: It can sell out regularly, so check the listings on the reg to see if it’s up.
Best iron- and iodine-free prenatal vitamin
Best Nest Wellness Mama Bird Prenatal Multi+ Iodine and Iron Free
According to Swick, iron is not a necessity — especially if your iron status looks A-OK after a blood test. Additionally, some people withthyroid health concernsneed a prenatal that’s free of added iodine. This one is free of iodine and iron but still made with high quality methylated nutrients that are easy for your body to absorb.
It also contains ginger root and chamomile for nausea, plus probiotics and digestive enzymes for an added gut health boost.
The price is not cheap but the reviews are spectacular. Parents-to-be love these vites!
Best prenatal vitamin with probiotics
New Chapter Advanced Perfect Prenatal
Fermented? Yes, fermented. This supposedly helps your body absorb the nutrients better, and means that there are also healthy, pregnancy-safeprobioticschillin’ in each of these little tablets too. But don’t get any funny ideas about putting your current prenatal vitamins in a fermenting jar — just buy these prefermented ones and reap the benefits.
Reviewers love these vitamins, and it seems like New Chapter is really open to customer feedback — after a few complaints about the use of folic acid, the folate in these vitamins now comes from both methylfolate and fermented folic acid.
Easiest to swallow prenatal vitamin
Advanced Nutrition by Zahler Mighty Mini Prenatal
Is taking your prenatal yet another chore you just want to be able to breeze through with minimal interruption to your day? Can’t blame you there, and we’ve got a great pre for you! Mighty Mini, or MM for short, contains everything you andbabyneed in one tiny, easy-to-swallow softgel. Bonus: It even contains active vitamin A! One and done.
While reviewers love the convenient size, some complain that they can cause the dreaded fish burps.
Best prenatal vitamin with whole-food ingredients
Garden of Life Vitamin Code Raw Prenatal Capsules
While the packaging just screams EXTRA to us, the Vitamin Code Raw Prenatal (also from Garden of Life) has a huge following. Just call it the premier-natal (with a premium-natal price tag).
It’s made with whole-food ingredients (and tells you on the label exactly what each ingredient is sourced from). Like our other Garden of Life pick, it contains folate instead of folic acid or L-5-MTHF. But we love the addition ofdigestive enzymesto help your body break down the vitamins andmineralsand absorb them more fully.
Among the many positive reviews, the only major complaint was regarding the number of pills. One dose is 3 pills daily but they should be spread throughout the day to maximize absorption — so you really can’t check “take prenatal” off your to-do list until that third pill of the day.
Side-by-side comparison
How to choose the best prenatal vitamins for you
Stick to nutrients you actually need
Basicallyevery prenatal should have methylated folate or folic acid— that’s nonnegotiable. Experts also recommend that every pregnant person takesvitamin D.
Choline and DHA are two other nutrients that pregnant people often need more ofbut they’re not in every prenatal. It might be a good idea to chat with a healthcare pro to determine whether these are an absolute necessity for you.
Other vitamins you’ll often find in prenatals are other B vitamins (especially vitamin B12), vitamin A, iron, iodine, calcium, and magnesium.
Experts typically don’t recommend supplementing these vitamins unless you have a known deficiency. Some people (like people with certain diet restrictions, who take certain medications, or have heavy periods) are more prone to deficiencies, so ask a healthcare pro for a blood test to determine where you might be lacking.
Look for highly absorbable forms of nutrients (that are easy for you to take)
Like Swick mentioned earlier, look for formulations designed to be highly bioavailable and easy to use and absorb.
For folate, look forfolic acid, folinic acid, or 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF). For vitamin B12, look formethylcobalamin.
If you have the MTHFR polymorphism (read more on thathere), it’s important to take methylated vitamin forms (like5-MTHFand methylcobalamin) because your body isn’t able to convert certain vitamins (vitamin B12 and folate) to their active forms.
If you don’t know whether you have the MTHFR polymorphism, chat with a healthcare pro to see if genetic testing would be a good idea for you. Otherwise, there’s no harm in taking methylated vitamin forms just in case.
Supplements aren’t regulated by the FDA in the same way that drugs are, so you kinda have to play Nancy Drew when you’re shopping for a prenatal vite.
At a minimum, look for brands that follow current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), which are standards set forth by the FDA designed to ensure the purity, quality, and strength of dietary supplements. Some companies take it a step further and receive third-party certification to prove they follow GMPs.
Other brands might also get certifications from organizations like USP. This certifies that a product contains what the brand says it contains, does not contain contaminants, and will break down and release into the body.
Lastly, some brands also get certifications like Non-GMO Project Verified, USDA Organic, vegan, kosher, and gluten-free. These certifications give you an extra level of assurance that a brand’s claims about its products are legit.
Don’t forget about vitamin type
This might seem obvious but don’t buy a hockey puck-sized prenatal if you HATE swallowing pills.
Consider what you like and what you’re able to tolerate during your pregnancy, keeping in mind that there are tons of gummy and liquid options available now.
Also, if you’re prone to forgetting about restocking your supply, consider a subscription like Persona, Care/of, Perelel, or Ritual.
Be aware of pricing
Remember, you’ll need to shell out enough moolah for at least a 9-month supply of these vitamins. If budget is a concern, know that even the less expensive prenatal options will still provide the nutrients you andyour babyneed.
Benefits of taking prenatal vitamins
Here are some of the benefits of taking prenatals:
When to see a doctor
It’s always a good idea to talk with a healthcare professional before starting a prenatal vitamin.
As we mentioned earlier, some nutrients aren’t necessary unless you have a deficiency — and a doctor can order tests to help you determine specific nutrients you should supplement.
If you’re currently taking a prenatal vitamin, you should also consider making an appointment with your OB if you start experiencing any uncomfortable side effects. The two nutrients thatcause the most troubleare some forms of iron (gastrointestinal discomfort, nausea, constipation) and magnesium (diarrhea). Omega-3s can also cause stomach issues, bad breath or taste in your mouth, and reflux.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to take a prenatal vitamin?
If you’repregnant, definitely. Pregnancy puts a lot of demands on your body, including increased needs for certain vitamins and minerals. Prenatals are specifically designed with this in mind, and may even help to reduce your baby’s risk of developmental issues for a fetus or health concerns.
Additionally, prenatals are perf for pre- and post-pregnancy support.
When is the best time to take a prenatal vitamin?
This one really depends. If your prenatal contains iron, it may cause tummy woes — esp if you take it on an empty stomach. Generally, taking a vitaminwith foodis best — regardless of which meal that is for you. When in doubt, follow the instructions on the product packaging or ask your OB-GYN during your next visit.
Are there any side effects of taking prenatal vitamins?
There can be. Nausea and digestive upset are most common, and typicallyironis the culprit. It can be pretty hard on the stomach.
Additionally, if your prenatal contains DHA from fish oil, you may get a case of the fishy burps every once in a while. NBD, just a little gross — just like almost everything else when you’repregnant(speaking from experience, here).
Can I get the same nutrients from my diet?
Technically, yes — but that would require a lot of planning and, TBH, a lot of salads and animal protein. (Two things that we absolutely despised during our pregnancies.)
Don’t get us wrong, you absolutely should strive for a balanced and healthy diet for you and your tater tot but it’s still a good idea to take a prenatal to ensure all of your nutritional bases are covered.
Can I take prenatal vitamins if I’m vegetarian or vegan?
Definitely. In fact, many prenatals are at least vegetarian, if not vegan-friendly. To remove all doubt, look for one that’s certified vegan — somewhere on the label, it will have a “V” inside of a circle.
Some nonvegan ingredients to watch out for include fish oil, as well as softgel capsules — sometimes they’re made from bovine collagen instead of plant-based ingredients.
Can I take a prenatal vitamin if I’m not pregnant?
For sure. In fact, Swick recommends starting a good prenatal to support your fertility even in the planning stages. (You know, the fun part wink)
Prenatals also provide a good nutritional foundation forpostpartum recovery, so your OB-GYN or other healthcare professional might advise you to at least “finish the bottle” after baby is born.
Supplements are also important if you’re nursing. If you’re lacking in certain nutrients, then your babe is too.Researchsuggests supplementing with calcium, magnesium, zinc, vitamin C, vitamin D, iron, folate, and omega-3s to support milk production, postpartum healing, and newborn development. Vitamin A is also recommended — but again, only if you have a known deficiency. Many prenatals fit the bill for this but you may also take apostnatalinstead.
Finally, some people swear up and down that prenatals are the absolute best vitamins for hair, skin, and nail health. While your hair and nails tend to be pretty fab during pregnancy due to the power of hormones, you’ll have to see for yourself if prenatals help the trend continue.
The bottom line
Your prenatal is there to cover all the gaps in your diet for both your and your baby’s optimal health. Choose one that’s priced affordably for you and that considers your pregnancy and postpartum needs, in addition to baby’s health. And, verify the one you pick has the nutrients you need (including 400 mcg of folic acid or 5-MTHF) in highly bioavailable forms that you can actually stand to swallow.
