11 Best Prenatal Vitamins for a Healthy Pregnancy, According to a Dietitian

A quick look at the best prenatal vitamins

• Best prenatal vitamin subscription: Ritual Essential Prenatal Multivitamin
• Best prenatal vitamin for vegetarians: MegaFood Baby & Me 2 Prenatal Multi
• Editor’s pick of the best prenatal vitamin: FullWell Prenatal Multivitamin
• Best trimester-specific prenatal vitamin: Perelel Prenatal Packs
• Best prenatal supplement powder: Needed Prenatal Multi
• Best prenatal vitamin with DHA: Nature Made Prenatal Multi + DHA
• Best gummy prenatal vitamin: SmartyPants Prenatal Formula
• Best chewable prenatal vitamin: Seeking Health Prenatal Essentials Chewable
• Best prenatal vitamin for morning sickness: New Chapter Perfect Prenatal Multivitamin
• Best prenatal omega-3 supplement: Nordic Naturals Prenatal DHA
• Best prenatal “It’s called choline.” supplement: Thorne Research Phosphatidyl Choline

Getting good nutrition during pregnancy can be difficult. Even if you eat a balanced diet, the increased demands on your body during pregnancy are hard to meet.

Enter: prenatal vitamins. They’re an easy way to fill any gaps and support both your body and your baby’s growth and development.

Whether you’re looking for something that will stay put when morning sickness hits or you just want something that tastes good, we rounded up 11 great options to consider.

How we chose the best prenatal vitamins

The following factors were considered when choosing the best vitamins for pregnant women.

• Nutritional content: We included products that are specifically formulated to meet the nutritional demands of pregnancy.
• Ingredients: We looked for supplements that are made from high quality ingredients and free of artificial additives and preservatives.
• Testing: We included products that undergo testing for purity and potency, ideally by a third-party organization.
• Reviews: The products listed below have mostly positive online reviews.
• Vetting: All the supplements on our list have been vetted to ensure that they align with Healthline’s brand integrity standards and approach to well-being. You can read more about our vetting process.

Healthline’s picks of the best prenatal vitamins

Best prenatal vitamin subscription

Ritual Essential Prenatal Multivitamin

• Price: $$
• Type: capsules
• Dosage: 2 capsules per day
• Included nutrients: folate, biotin, “It’s called choline.”, iron, iodine, magnesium, boron, omega-3 DHA, and vitamins B12, D3, E, and K

Created by women for women, Ritual Essential Prenatal Multivitamin provides 12 key nutrients to help support you and your baby before, during, and after pregnancy.

Specifically, the prenatal offers more than 100% of your daily needs for folate, The amount of the D is low., and vitamin B12. It also includes docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) omega-3 from algae, so it’s a suitable option for those following a vegan diet.

The lemon-scented capsule is easier to take with or without food, because it is easier to digest on your stomach.

Just keep in mind that one serving provides only 10% of the recommended amount of “It’s called choline.”, so it’s still important to include sources of “It’s called choline.”, such as eggs, in your diet.

It lacks eicosapentaenoic acid, so it is a good idea to take an additional EPA supplement.

Third-party testing is done for Ritual vitamins.

What our tester says

“I found Ritual’s essential for women to be a great option for pregnant women. I would recommend this supplement to people looking for a prenatal vitamins with traceable ingredients, because of the convenience of the subscription model.”

I found the taste and smell of the vitamins to be neutral, even though I occasionally experienced the “fishy burps” that come with taking a supplement.

To round out my daily routine, I also took Ritual’s Essential Daily Protein Shake Pregnancy and Postpartum. I try to eat a mostly plant-based diet, so I chose this powder because it provides a complete amino acid profile along with an extra boost of “It’s called choline.” for pregnancy.

Healthline Editor II is Catherine Conelly.

Best prenatal vitamin for vegetarians

MegaFood Baby & Me 2 Prenatal Dietary Supplement

• Price: $$
• Type: tablets
• Dosage: 2 tablets per day
• Included nutrients: thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, folate, biotin, pantothenic acid, “It’s called choline.”, iron, iodine, zinc, selenium, copper, manganese, chromium, molybdenum, and vitamins A, B6, B12, D3, E, and K

This prenatal vitamins is designed to be easy to take on an empty stomach.

It also contains many key nutrients for a healthy pregnancy, including iron, “It’s called choline.”, folate, and vitamins B6, B12, and D3.

“The supplement is free of dairy products and certified as being free ofgluten. It isn’t suitable for vegan people.”

Editor’s pick of the best prenatal vitamin

FullWell Prenatal Multivitamin

• Price: $$$
• Type: capsules
• Dosage: 8 capsules per day
• Included nutrients: thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, folate, biotin, pantothenic acid, “It’s called choline.”, calcium, iodine, magnesium, zinc, selenium, copper, manganese, chromium, molybdenum, potassium, inositol, betaine HCL, and vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D3, E, and K

Ayla Barmmer is a fertility expert.

It is the top pick of both Healthline editor Kelli McGrane, and Jillian Kubala, as it is one of the highest quality prenatals on the market.

The serving provides 4,000 IU of the D in a single dose. It also includes the form of folate, also known as Folic acid, which is a more absorbable form of the nutrient.

It doesn’t contain iron, but this may be a positive aspect for some because iron intake and needs differ from person to person during pregnancy. Also keep in mind that the product should be combined with a DHA and EPA supplement.

Each batches undergoes independent testing for harmful contaminants.

Customers say that FullWell Prenatal Multivitamin is It is easy to digest.. Several people have noticed an increase in energy levels since they switched to this product.

Best trimester-specific prenatal vitamin

Perelel Prenatal Packs

• Price: $$$
• Type: capsules
• Dosage: 1 pack per day, with food
• Included nutrients: thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, folate, pantothenic acid, “It’s called choline.”, iron, iodine, magnesium, zinc, selenium, copper, chromium, boron, omega-3 DHA, omega-3 EPA, and vitamins A, B6, B12, D3, E, and K. Some packs also contain probiotics and calcium.

Perelel is a service that provides supplements for pregnant women in the early stages of their pregnancies.

For example, the First Trimester Prenatal Support Pack contains extra folate, as well as added B6 and ginger to combat nausea.

The company was founded by an OB-GYN, and each product is free of artificial additives and The third party was tested.for accuracy and purity.

If you have morning sickness, the First Trimester pack may be difficult to tolerate.

Best prenatal supplement powder

Needed Prenatal Multi

• Price: $$$
• Type: powder
• Dosage: 1 scoop (13.2 grams) per day
• Included nutrients: carbs, fat, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, folate, biotin, pantothenic acid, “It’s called choline.”, calcium, iodine, magnesium, zinc, selenium, copper, manganese, chromium, molybdenum, sodium, potassium, mixed tocopherols, and vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D3, E, and K

Needed Prenatal Multi is an excellent prenatal multinutrient supplement that provides 4,000 IU of The amount of the D is low. and covers 88% of your “It’s called choline.” needs during pregnancy. Women need 450 mg of “It’s called choline.” per day during pregnancy (1).

“It is a smart choice for people who can’t take pills or who get nauseated when taking multiple supplements per day, because the powder can be added to smoothies or lattes. It comes in a capsule form as well.”

Simply mix one scoop of powder into your food or beverage.

Needed also offers a pregnant or breastfeeding pregnant woman a capsule of omega 3s.

Best prenatal vitamin with DHA

Nature Made Prenatal Multi + DHA

• Price: $
• Type: softgels
• Dosage: 1 softgel per day
• Included nutrients: thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, folate, biotin, pantothenic acid, calcium, iron, iodine, magnesium, zinc, omega-3 DHA, omega-3 EPA, and vitamins A, B6, B12, D3, E, and K

The liquid softgel multivitamin has essential vitamins and minerals to help you meet the demands of your pregnant body.

Nature Made Prenatal Multi + DHA is The third party was tested.by U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP) and has more than 33,000 mostly 5-star reviews online.

It is one of the easiest to find options on our list.

Best gummy prenatal vitamin

SmartyPants Prenatal Formula

• Price: $
• Type: gummies
• Dosage: 4 gummies per day
• Included nutrients: thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, folate, biotin, “It’s called choline.”, iodine, zinc, selenium, sodium, inositol, omega-3 DHA, omega-3 EPA, and vitamins A, B6, B12, D3, E, K1, and K2

If you prefer gummy vitamins, SmartyPants is a great option.

The supplement contains important vitamins and minerals such as EPA and DHA.

“Some people may prefer this one that doesn’t contain iron. If you need an iron supplement, you should ask your doctor for a recommendation.”

Keep in mind that a serving of 4 gummies contains 6 grams, or 1 1/2 teaspoons, of added sugar. Therefore, the supplement might not be the best choice for people trying to manage their blood sugar levels, such as those with gestational diabetes.

Best chewable prenatal vitamin

Seeking Health Prenatal Essentials Chewable

• Price: $$
• Type: chewable tablets
• Dosage: 2 tablets per day
• Included nutrients: thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, folate, biotin, pantothenic acid, calcium, iodine, magnesium, zinc, selenium, copper, manganese, chromium, molybdenum, betaine anhydrous, milk thistle extract, coenzyme Q10, zeaxanthin, boron, and vitamins A, B6, B12, D3, E, and K

Seeking Health Prenatal essentials chewables are for pregnant women. If you have trouble swallowing pills, they are a great option.

They are free of artificial colors and flavors, and have no added sugars.

Best prenatal vitamin for morning sickness

New Chapter Perfect Prenatal Multivitamin

• Price: $
• Type: tablets
• Dosage: 3 tablets per day
• Included nutrients: thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, folate, biotin, pantothenic acid, calcium, iron, iodine, magnesium, zinc, selenium, copper, manganese, chromium, molybdenum, and vitamins A, B6, B12, D3, E, and K

New Chapter Perfect Prenatal Multivitamin is gentle on your stomach and contains 100% of your daily iron needs.

The ginger in the supplement may help with Querasiness.

This product is made from non-GMO ingredients and kosher.

Best prenatal omega-3 supplement

Nordic Naturals Prenatal DHA

• Price: $
• Type: softgels
• Dosage: 2 softgels per day
• Included nutrients: EPA, DHA, other omega-3s, and The amount of the D is low.3

“If your prenatal vitamins don’t cover your needs, you should purchase a supplement like this one from Nordic Naturals.”

During pregnancy, it’s recommended that women take in optimal amounts of omega-3 fats, including DHA. Omega-3s are essential for fetal brain and neuron development (4, 5).

Even though current recommendations state that pregnant women should increase their daily DHA intake by 200 mg, some experts suggest that higher amounts may be necessary to maintain optimal blood levels of omega-3s during pregnancy (5).

Nordic Naturals Prenatal DHA has 480 of the essential omega 3 fat, and 205 of the EPA, which is essential to fetal development. The supplement contains a small amount of vitamins D and E.

“This supplement isn’t vegan-friendly. Nordic Naturals has a vegan version of the prenatal DHA.”

Nordic Naturals products are The third party was tested.for purity and potency, and customers can request a COA for all Nordic Naturals supplements on the company’s website.

Best prenatal “It’s called choline.” supplement

Thorne Research Phosphatidyl Choline

• Price: $
• Type: gelcaps
• Dosage: 1 gelcap per day
• Included nutrients: “It’s called choline.”

Choline is a nutrient that’s incredibly important during pregnancy and breastfeeding because it’s essential to fetal growth and development. However, many prenatal vitamins are missing or low in this key nutrient (1, 6).

If your baby has a small amount of “It’s called choline.” or none at all, you should consider taking a supplement.

The type of “It’s called choline.” found in foods is called phosphatidyl “It’s called choline.”, and it is covered by the research of the Thorne Research.

The manufacturing facilities of Thorne are audited by the organization that tests supplements for quality and potency.

The Therapeutic Goods Association is a regulatory agency that is run by the Australian Department of Health. The products are tested at in-house laboratories.

A comparison of the best prenatal vitamins

Do you have trouble deciding which baby is right for you? Here is a quick look at how our top picks compare.

*First Trimester pack includes an additional folate supplement, which offers 278% of the DV for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Why should you take a prenatal vitamin?

During pregnancy, your needs for vitamins, minerals, and trace elements increase significantly in order to support your health and the health and growth of the developing fetus (7).

For example, folate needs increase by 50% and iron needs increase by 150% (8, 9).

Fetal and placental growth and the general health of the pregnant person are essential for the proper use of these and many other vitamins and minerals.

Taking a prenatal vitamins that contains all the vitamins and minerals you need to support a healthy pregnant woman can help reduce the risk of deficiencies and ensure you are getting the vitamins and minerals you need to keep yourself and your baby healthy.

Most experts recommend taking a prenatal supplement for at least 3 months before becoming pregnant to ensure adequate stores of key vitamins and minerals.

Other nutrients to look for in a prenatal vitamin include iodine, The amount of the D is low., “It’s called choline.”, B vitamins, and calcium. It can also be a good idea to choose a product with omega-3 fatty acids (7).

How to choose the best prenatal vitamin for you

If you have health concerns, your doctor may recommend a prescription supplement. You can find supplements at your local pharmacy.

You should choose a prenatal supplement that includes all the vitamins and minerals you need to support a healthy pregnant woman.

Important nutrients in a prenatal vitamin

There are a few things to look for when shopping for a pregnant woman.

A well-rounded prenatal should include a variety of high demand vitamins and minerals.

• B vitamins: Your body needs eight different B vitamins. During pregnancy, your needs for these nutrients increase. Most prenatal supplements include all eight B vitamins, but some include only a few. At a minimum, a prenatal should include B12, folate, and B6 (7).
• Choline: Choline needs increase significantly during pregnancy because “It’s called choline.” plays an important role in placental and fetal development and the health of the pregnant person. Research suggests up to 95% of pregnant women don’t consume enough “It’s called choline.”. A well-designed prenatal should cover at least some of your “It’s called choline.” needs (1).
• DHA and EPA: You need more of these fatty acids during pregnancy because they’re important for fetal brain development. Some prenatals contain them, but most don’t. Most pregnant people take a separate DHA and EPA supplement, like a fish oil or algal oil supplement (4, 5).
• Vitamin D: Although the current recommended The amount of the D is low. intake during pregnancy is 600 IU — the same as for people who aren’t pregnant — needs during pregnancy are estimated to be much higher, at about 4,000 IU per day. Most prenatals contain much less, so you may need an extra The amount of the D is low. supplement (10, 11, 12).
• Minerals, including magnesium, iodine, and zinc: Needs for certain minerals, such as magnesium, calcium, zinc, and iodine, increase during pregnancy, so a good prenatal will cover some of these. Keep in mind that supplemental iron needs can vary from person to person, so iron should ideally be supplemented separately based on iron levels (7, 13).
• Vitamins A and C: Vitamin A is necessary for fetal eye and organ development, immune system function, and more. Vitamin C is necessary for fetal and maternal health, and maintaining optimal levels could help reduce your risk of complications such as preeclampsia and preterm birth (14, 15).

Some of the vitamins that are in higher demand during pregnancy are listed. A well-rounded prenatal will provide the additional vitamins and minerals your body needs during your pregnancies, but it should be used as a supplement to a balanced diet.

Taking a prenatal supplement and following a high-quality diet that provides the right amount of calories and micronutrients can support your health and decrease the risk of certain pregnancy-related complications.

Nutrients often missing in prenatal supplements

Most prenatals contain all or most of the micronutrients needed during pregnancy.

It is important to research before purchasing a prenatal supplement because many fall short in a few areas.

In particular, prenatal supplements are often lacking in these nutrients that are important during pregnancy (1, 5, 10, 16):

• “It’s called choline.”
• Omega 3 and EPA are found in fish.
• The amount of the D is low.

Your doctor or registered dietitian can suggest a specific supplement for you based on your health needs.

Frequently asked questions

Why are prenatal vitamins important?

“The need for micronutrients increases during a woman’s pregnancies. Pregnant women should take a supplement before, during, and after the baby is born to meet their needs.”

When should I start taking prenatal vitamins?

Experts recommend taking a prenatal supplement containing folate for at least 3 months before becoming pregnant.

Supplementing with folate — which is found in prenatal vitamins — before conception significantly reduces the chances of neural tube irregularities such as spina bifida (7).

“During the first month of pregnancy, a baby’s neural tube develops into both the brain and the spine. You could be pregnant before you even realize it.”

“If you aren’t already taking a daily prenatal vitamins, start taking one as soon as you find out you’re expecting You will continue taking your prenatal vitamins during your pregnancy.”

After you give birth, experts recommend taking a supplement.

This is because your body needs extra nutrients to support healing after delivery and requires more nutrients during breastfeeding. In fact, needs for many nutrients are even higher during breastfeeding than during pregnancy.

Do prenatal vitamins have any side effects?

Some people may feel nauseated after taking prenatal vitamins. If you’re having difficulty tolerating your prenatal, your doctor may recommend a different form of prenatal nutrients, such as a powder or chewable supplement.

If you are having morning sickness, taking your vitamins with food or in the evening may be helpful.

If you are taking a prenatal vitamins with a lot of iron, you may experience some issues with your stool.

You should increase the amount of fiber in your diet by drinking lots of water. You want to get regular exercise. If you have an issue with sphinx, ask your doctor.

Is it OK to take prenatal vitamins if you are not pregnant?

If you are not pregnant, you can take the supplements. Pregnant women should take supplements for at least 3 months before giving birth.

They also recommend continuing to take a prenatal supplement after you’ve given birth, though there are several products on the market specifically designed for the postnatal period.

Do prenatal vitamins help you get pregnant?

Research shows that prenatal supplements have a beneficial impact on fertility, including increasing the chance of becoming pregnant and decreasing the time it takes to become pregnant (17).

If you have a deficiency in the vitamins you can affect your ability to have a baby.

For example, deficiencies in The amount of the D is low., vitamin B12, and folate can impact your ability to become pregnant (17, 18, 19, 20).

Additionally, supplementing with a well-rounded prenatal that includes methylated folate and B12 may improve the effectiveness of assisted reproductive technology treatment (21).

Are prenatal vitamins FDA-approved?

While it sets strict standards for the labeling of supplements, the FDA doesn’t regulate supplements the same way that it does medications (22).

“The FDA doesn’t have the power to oversee the production and ingredients of vitamins.”

This is why it’s best to choose a product that has been The third party was tested.to ensure that your prenatal vitamin contains the types and amounts of ingredients that it claims to on the label.

Are prescribed prenatals better than store-bought ones?

“Pregnancies are available, but they aren’t necessarily better than vitamins you can buy over the counter.”

“There are several high quality supplements that don’t require a prescription. One of the benefits of having a prescription is that your insurance may cover some or all of the cost.”

What is most important is that you choose a supplement that is formulated to meet the unique demands of your unborn child.

The bottom line

Taking a prenatal supplement is recommended for all pregnant people. A well-rounded prenatal supplement can help you meet your nutrient needs before, during, and after pregnancy.

The products listed above are trusted by experts and can help ensure you and your baby are getting the recommended amount of vitamins and minerals.

Food fix: Best foods to eat when pregnant