Best Prenatal Multivitamins Reviewed & Compared
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Motherhood starts with wanting the best for your baby, and that begins before the baby is even born by taking prenatal multivitamins. These vitamins are specifically designed for expecting mothers and their developing babies. They’re packed with vitamins and minerals that support both mother and child during the nine months that it takes to grow a healthy human baby.
There are many essential nutrients that women need more of during pregnancy – folic acid, iron, and calcium to name a few. These nutrients can be obtained through diet, but prenatal multivitamins are a safeguard in case those nutrients aren’t properly absorbed by the body.
- New Chapter
Our rating- Organic
- Price: See Here
- Best Nest Wellness
Our rating- Natural Ingredients
- Price: See Here
- Rainbow Light
Our rating- Third-party Tested
- Price: See Here
Choosing the best prenatal multivitamin is no small matter when the health of your baby is concerned. Many prenatal supplements contain harmful ingredients, additives, fillers, preservatives, and more, so it’s important to choose wisely to ensure that both mother and baby are properly nourished.
We considered more than fifty prenatal multivitamins. Finally, we picked up and reviewed more than a dozen the best of the best, and we based our criteria on the ingredients, quality, value, and brand of each product. Our extensive reviewing process allows us to recommend the absolute best prenatal vitamins for the proper nourishment and overall well being of pregnant women and their developing babies.
While many of the prenatal multivitamins undergo stringent testing for purity and safety, they often contain questionable ingredients like silica and added sugar. Some ingredients also aren’t suitable for various lifestyles, including the vegan, vegetarian, and allergen friendly lifestyles.
If you don’t consume fish and/or dairy due to lifestyle or allergies, you must check your prenatal multivitamin and ensure it’s fish-free and/or dairy-free. We also found that many prenatal vitamins contain omega-3 derived from fish oil, which isn’t suitable for vegans, vegetarians, or people with fish allergies.
Even if your lifestyle and dietary preferences narrow down your selection, there’s still a prenatal multivitamin for everyone. Continue reading for the full review of the best 15 prenatal multivitamins. We also give in-depth information on the benefits of prenatal multivitamins and why you should take them before, during, and after pregnancy.
15 Best Prenatal Multivitamins
1. New Chapter – Perfect Prenatal Multivitamin
Ingredients
This prenatal multivitamin contains dozens of vitamins and minerals from non-GMO whole foods, including an organic herbal blend and an organic sprouts blend. The iron in this prenatal multivitamin is non-constipating, and this fermented formula can be taken on an empty stomach since it’s gentle on the digestive system. Despite the high-quality vegan ingredients, it’s not allergen friendly as it contains soy and wheat.
Quality
This prenatal multivitamin supplement tablet is committed to using organic, non-GMO ingredients to be more environmentally friendly and healthier for both mother and child. Their 7-step fermentation process ensures that their prenatal multivitamin is gentle on pregnant women, and they have ten principles that they abide by for maximum quality.
Value
The New Chapter Perfect Prenatal Multivitamin has a premium price tag for a premium product. Despite the higher cost than other prenatal vitamins, this product is one of the best quality and is worth the additional cost.
Brand
New Chapter is a globally recognized leader in supplement quality. Each product is designed by holistic practitioners and validated by scientists. All raw materials and finished products are tested and verified for safety and purity, making New Chapter a trusted brand.
- Organic
- Kosher
- Non-GMO
- Contains probiotics for digestive support
- Contains non-constipating iron
- Contains herbs and sprouts
- Fermented ingredients
- No added sugar
- Contains 64 servings
- Can be taken on an empty stomach
- Suitable for vegans and vegetarians
- Contains soy
- Contains wheat
2. Best Nest Wellness – Mama Bird Prenatal Multivitamin
Ingredients
This multivitamin includes dozens of vitamins, minerals, plant extracts, probiotics, and digestive enzymes to support healthy pregnancy and healthy babies. The form of folic acid in this supplement is L-methylfolate, which is a biologically active form of folic acid that’s suitable for people with the MTHFR gene mutation.
Quality
At the core, Best Nest Wellness Mama Bird Prenatal Multivitamins are safe, natural, and free of common allergens. This product utilizes the latest medical technology while harnessing the wisdom of nature. It’s also 100% natural, gluten-free, made in the USA, GMP certified, third-party tested, vegetarian, and soy-free.
Value
The price is comparable to other prenatal multivitamins, but the 1-month supply is less than other brands. For the quality, it’s the worth the price but must be replaced frequently.
Brand
Best Nest Wellness was founded by a doctor who is also a mother. Founder, Dr. Mavi Gupta, combines her expertise in neurology with her passion for giving children the best possible start in life, even before they’re born.
- Organic, all-natural, and herbal ingredients
- Suitable for vegetarians and vegans
- Added vitamins B12 and B6
- Third-party tested
- Allergen friendly
- Probiotics and digestive enzymes reduce morning sickness
- Formulated by a board-certified expert in neurology
- More expensive than other brands
- Bottle only lasts for 1 month
3. Rainbow Light – Prenatal One
Ingredients
This prenatal multivitamin has many micronutrients to support a healthy pregnancy. Folic acid is a main ingredient with a dose of 600 mcg. The formula also includes a vibrant foods blend and a digestive support blend. Some of the added ingredients include silica and a tablet coating.
Quality
Rainbow Light’s Prenatal One multivitamin follows a 4-step process for top quality: sourcing of the highest quality ingredients, raw material testing in-house and third-party, manufacturing at a GMP certified facility, and finished goods tested for purity and potency. It’s also vegetarian and gluten-free. Many prenatal multivitamins must be taken multiple times a day, but the Prenatal One only has to be taken once per day, which is convenient for mothers experiencing nausea and digestive discomfort.
Value
The price is comparable to other prenatal multivitamins, but the 5-month supply lasts longer. For the quality and length of supply, this is a tremendous value.
Brand
Rainbow Light is a brand of health supplements that is fighting global malnutrition. They have donated over 40 million prenatal supplements to women around the world, including countries like Haiti and Kenya.
- Provides nourishment for both the mother and child
- Supports spinal development in children
- Contains other vitamins and minerals
- Made with good manufacturing practices
- Third-party tested
- Allergen friendly
- Bottle lasts for 3 months
- Suitable for vegans and vegetarians
- Contains added ingredients like silica
4. Garden of Life – Vitamin Code Raw Prenatal
Ingredients
With micronutrients ranging from Vitamin C to Iodine, this multivitamin is packed with healthy nutrients for pregnant women and their developing babies. The Vitamin Code Raw Prenatal blend also includes organic fruits and vegetables, probiotics, and organic sprouts.
Quality
This prenatal multivitamin is organic certified, non-GMO, vegetarian, dairy-free, and fully raw. This formula has been clinically tested for safety, potency, and contaminants, and it’s been third-party tested in facilities that follow Good Manufacturing Practices. The formula contains minimal added ingredients, ensuring that this prenatal multivitamin contains no fillers or binders.
Value
The price is comparable to other prenatal multivitamins, but the bottle only lasts for 1 month. However, this is one of the highest quality and healthiest sources of prenatal nutrients for pregnancy, so it’s valued highly.
Brand
Garden of Life is the top brand in the natural products industry, with products ranging from health supplements to greens powders. They start with real food to create natural alternatives to synthetic health products. Garden of Life also donates health supplements to various charities.
- Raw formula
- Supports fetal development
- Aids in healthy digestion
- Probiotics aid in immune health
- Ingredients derived from whole foods
- Contains multiple vitamins and minerals
- Suitable for vegetarians and vegans
- No filler ingredients
- Allergen friendly
- Made with good manufacturing practices
- Third-party tested
- Brand donates to charity
- Serving size is 3 capsules
- Bottle only lasts for 1 month
5. MegaFood – Baby & Me
Ingredients
The MegaFood prenatal and postnatal multivitamin contains a nurturing prenatal blend and a farm fresh fruit blend made with organic ingredients. The 800 mcg of folic acid is sourced from broccoli, which is the first we’ve seen of this crucial vitamin for pregnancy and fetal health.
Quality
MegaFood is a certified B Corp company, which means their prenatal multivitamin is held to the highest standard. It also uses sources of real food for many of the vitamins, including organic orange for vitamin C, cabbage for vitamin K, and brown rice for biotin. Overall, the formula is non-GMO, gluten-free, vegetarian, dairy-free, soy-free, and kosher.
Value
This product is comparable to other prenatal multivitamins sourced from natural ingredients. While this product is slightly more expensive, it’s worth the added value for the additional vitamins and minerals. It’s also less expensive than other multivitamins that use whole foods.
Brand
MegaFood is a 45-year-old health supplement company with a Fresh From Farm To Tablet motto. They are 100% transparent about the entire manufacturing process, complete with live cameras on their website broadcasting the MegaFood facilities in real time.
- Contains an organic prenatal blend
- Contains an organic fruit blend
- Contains vegetables like carrots and broccoli
- Supports prenatal and fetal health
- Nourishes both mother and child
- Suitable for vegetarians and vegans
- Allergen friendly
- Can be taken on an empty stomach
- Serving size is 4 tablets
- Bottle only lasts for 1 month
- Contains added ingredients like silica
6. Naturelo – Prenatal Multivitamin
Ingredients
Each 3-capsule serving is packed with vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, C, D3, E, K2, and more. There are minimal ingredients in this product – just the nutrients and the capsule itself – making it a healthy supplement that isn’t weighed down by additives or filler ingredients. Plus, the nutrients are highly potent, making it easy for pregnant women to meet their nutritional requirements.
Quality
Quality is Naturelo’s top priority – their prenatal multivitamins are non-GMO, organic, soy-free, gluten-free, preservative-free, non-GMO, and vegan. Plus, you get just the active ingredients and the vegetable capsule itself. Their products are made in an FDA-approved facility that follows Good Manufacturing Practices.
Value
The Naturelo prenatal multivitamin is slightly more expensive than the average prenatal vitamin. However, the ingredients are highly potent, and it contains higher quality ingredients that are more effective and more bioavailable to the body.
Brand
Naturelo is a small supplement company that believes the best vitamins come from nature, not a lab. Naturelo doesn’t cut corners to sacrifice quality for profit – they pay extra for the natural ingredients that are more bioavailable and effective.
- Contains dozens of vitamins and minerals
- Nourishes both mother and child
- Non-GMO
- Allergen friendly
- Free of additives
- Suitable for vegetarians and vegans
- Made with Good Manufacturing Practices
- Serving size is 3 capsules
- More expensive
7. Thorne Research – Basic Prenatal
Ingredients
This prenatal multivitamin contains two dozen micronutrients, including folate, vitamin B12, selenium, niacin, zinc, and more. Equally as important, it’s free of harsh additive ingredients and common allergens that many prenatal multivitamins do contain. Thorne Research has an extensive “No List” of banned ingredients that their products will never contain, including BPA, artificial preservatives, stearates, and more.
Quality
Thorne Research believes that there is no quality standard higher than their own. They have a 4-part quality checklist: sourcing exceptional ingredients, transparent manufacturing, multiple rounds of testing, and sustainability. They also have a No List, which includes no gluten, metallic colorants, eggs, stearates, dairy, BPA, artificial preservatives, high fructose corn syrup, banned substances, and nuts.
Value
For a 3-month supply and top-quality ingredients, Thorne Research’s Basic Prenatal is one of the best values.
Brand
Thorne Research offers at-home testing and health supplements to put consumers on the path to be their best selves. They conduct clinical research and have stringent testing procedures for high-quality products that are also nutritious.
- Contains two dozen micronutrients
- Free of common allergens
- No additives
- Highly potent ingredients
- High-quality ingredients
- 3-month supply
- Affordable option
- Suitable for lactating women
- Contains minimal ingredients
- Suitable for vegetarians and vegans
- Overly potent amount of vitamin B12
- Large capsule size
8. Emerald – Prenatal 4-Daily Multi
Ingredients
With dozens of vitamins and minerals and a proprietary blend of raw, whole foods, this supplement has everything a woman needs for a healthy pregnancy without having to take multiple supplements. Each serving contains over 800 mcg of CoEnzymated folic acid for better absorption, bioavailability, and metabolism.
Quality
This product is made in the USA and is gluten-free, stearate-free, vegetarian, raw, and plant-based. It doesn’t contain any artificial ingredients, preservatives, wheat, yeast, salt, sugar, or corn for a pure formula.
Value
Containing the most vitamins and minerals and being one of the purest sources of prenatal ingredients, the Emerald Prenatal Multivitamin is a great value, despite only lasting for 1 month.
Brand
Emerald manufactures a variety of supplements with one thing in common: they are all free of additive ingredients. Known as the Additive-Free Company, Emerald believes in only including active, nutritive ingredients in their products. The products are formulated by Dr. Mark Stengler and used in his practice, where he verifies the effectiveness of Emerald supplements by monitoring the blood tests of his patients.
- Doctor formulated
- Supports fetal development
- Promotes cardiovascular health
- Encourages fertility
- Eases pregnancy symptoms
- CoEnzymated folic acid is easier to metabolize by the body
- Contains Pureway-C, a time-released Vitamin C
Made from foods in their raw and whole forms - Allergen friendly
- Free of additives
- Suitable for vegetarians and vegans
- Serving size is 4 capsules
- Bottle only lasts for 1 month
9. Amazing Nutrition – Prenatal One Multiple
Ingredients
This prenatal multivitamin contains an organic food blend, which is the source of many vitamins and minerals. Folic acid, iron, and Vitamin C are some of the micronutrients that come directly from organic fruits and vegetables in this supplement.
Quality
All the prenatal multivitamins made by Amazing Nutrition meet stringent Quality Assurance Standards and are processed with Good Manufacturing Practices. The brand uses superior ingredients that don’t include artificial fillers or preservatives – their motto is, “Take the best, and leave the rest.” This is why their prenatal multivitamins are organic and free of gluten, lactose, shellfish, sodium, sugar, nuts, eggs, and soy.
Value
Being one of the most expensive supplements on our list, this product still has tremendous value for the quality. The micronutrients come from organic, whole foods instead of synthetic sources, and the bottle is long-lasting. Many other products for a fraction of the price only last for 1 month, so this is still an affordable option for the long-run.
Brand
Amazing Naturals is a line of health supplements founded by Amazing Nutrition, a company that makes added nutrition effortless and effective. They are committed to the quality, purity, balance, and longevity of their products.
- Supports prenatal and fetal health
- Contains an organic whole foods blend
- Contains an organic stomach soothing blend
- Allergen friendly
- Suitable for vegetarians and vegans
- Third-party tested
- Made with Good Manufacturing Practices
- Bottle lasts for 6 months
- More expensive option
- Contains added ingredients
10. Mother's Select – Prenatal Multi + DHA
Ingredients
All the ingredients in Mother’s Select products are clinically proven, effective, and all-natural. Some of the nutrients include riboflavin, thiamin, vitamin B6, and vitamin C. However, this product contains less vitamins and minerals than other prenatal multivitamins. These ingredients aren’t suitable for vegans, vegetarians, and people with allergies to fish and soy.
Quality
Mother’s Select prenatal multivitamins are made with only the highest quality ingredients and are free of fillers and chemicals. They follow Good Manufacturing Practices for the highest quality products possible. Their advanced formula is made in the USA and free of harmful chemicals and fillers.
Value
This product is affordable but only contains a 1-month supply. For the ingredients and price, it’s good in quality and value.
Brand
Mother’s Select is a new company that specializes in women’s and prenatal health. They’re fast-growing because of their commitment to women and their babies.
- Contains DHA
- Contains omega-3 fatty acids
- Contains MTHFR-safe folate
- Affordable option
- Ingredients are clinically proven
- Good manufacturing practices
- Suitable before, during, and after pregnancy
- Contains fish
- Contains soy
- 1-month supply
- Not suitable for vegans and vegetarians
11. Bayer – One a Day Prenatal
Ingredients
This value pack contains two products: a prenatal multivitamin with more than a dozen vitamins and minerals and a DHA and EPA supplement. The multivitamin contains high levels of folic acid, iron, and calcium, and the DHA and EPA supplement contains high levels of omega-3 fatty acids. Since these micronutrients can be difficult to obtain, the One A Day vitamins make it easy for pregnant women to meet their nutritional needs.
Quality
Bayer sources their ingredients from top suppliers and initiate sustainable methods in their manufacturing processes for top-quality prenatal multivitamins that are good for consumers and the environment. Their high-quality standards for the One a Day Prenatal makes this product the #1 OB/GYN recommended over the counter brand of prenatal multivitamins.
Value
This product is affordably priced, lasts for two months, and contains two supplements in one – a multivitamin and a DHA and EPA supplement – making this a good value.
Brand
Bayer’s One A Day line has an array of supplements and multivitamins for a variety of needs, including prenatal vitamins for both women and men. They’re a leading manufacturer of multivitamins, especially those relating to pregnancy.
- Contains two products in one
- Contains DHA
- Contains EPA
- Contains dozens of micronutrients
- Suitable before, during, and after pregnancy
- 60-day supply
- Contains fish
- Contains soy
- Not suitable for vegetarians and vegans
- Contains artificial dyes
12. Happy Healthy Smart – Prenatal DHA
Ingredients
The ingredients in this prenatal vitamin are simple. The main ingredients include potent amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, DHA, and EPA. The ingredients also include fish oil and gelatin, so this product isn’t suitable for vegetarians, vegans, or people with fish allergies.
Quality
Because of the benefits of DHA, this product is suitable before, during, and after pregnancy. Happy Healthy Smart utilizes a high-quality form of DHA that’s easy-to-ingest, non-constipating, and mildly flavored.
Value
This is a very affordable product, and the bottle lasts for two months. For the highly potent ingredients and length of supply, this is a good value product.
Brand
Happy Healthy Smart creates high-quality prenatal supplements with a motto, “Best for Babies, Best for Moms.” They focus on creating better products that promote overall wellbeing to support women during every step of pregnancy.
- Supports brain and eye health
- Supports overall wellbeing
- Contains potent DHA
- Contains EPA
- Contains omega-3 fatty acids
- Suitable before, during, and after pregnancy
- Contains fish
- Not suitable for vegetarians and vegans
- Doesn’t contain vitamins and minerals
13. Vitafusion – PreNatal
Ingredients
This prenatal multivitamin contains vitamins A, B12, B6, B9, C, D, E, and several other micronutrients. However, it contains significantly less minerals than other prenatal multivitamins. This product also contains added sugar and glucose syrup to make the gummy vitamins sweet. Because of the added sugar, Vitafusion recommends that consumers brush their teeth after consuming this product.
Quality
Vitafusion takes quality as seriously as nutrition, so they comply with Federal Drug Administration regulations and comply with Good Manufacturing Practices. Several highly trained professions, including registered dieticians, are part of Vitafusion’s team of experts that created this prenatal multivitamin. This expert-formulated prenatal multivitamin is gentle on the stomach and award-winning.
Value
With 45 servings, this product doesn’t last as long as other prenatal multivitamins, but it’s more affordable.
Brand
According to Vitafusion, they are America’s number one gummy vitamin brand. They provide nutrient-rich products to the market, and they believe in making nutrition delicious. By 2020, they plan on planting 200,000 fruit trees to deliver fresh fruit to communities in need.
- Gummy vitamins
- Contains vitamins and minerals
- Contains DHA
- Good manufacturing practices
- Made in the USA
- Contains fish
- Not suitable for vegetarians and vegans
- Contains added sugar
14. Nature Made – Prenatal Multi + DHA
Ingredients
This product contains more than a dozen vitamins and minerals, including DHA, folic acid, iron, calcium, vitamin D3, vitamin B12, omega 3, and more. However, many of the micronutrients don’t satisfy the daily recommended intake for pregnant and lactating women. The ingredients also include anchovy, sardine, mackerel, and beeswax, so it’s not suitable for vegetarians, vegans, and people who are allergic to these ingredients.
Quality
Nature Made’s prenatal multivitamins are third-party tested for quality and purity, and they’ve adopted industry-leading manufacturing processes. They work with the highest quality ingredient suppliers and follow Good Manufacturing Practices. Each softgel is easy to swallow, clinically proven, and free of artificial colors, artificial flavors, yeast, and starch.
Value
Nature Made is one of the best valued supplement brands on the market. They are a large company, so they have scaled their business to make it extremely affordable. The Prenatal Multi + DHA is a great value and lasts for three months.
Brand
According to Nature Made, they are the number one pharmacist recommended brand of supplements. They use scientific research and hold their own clinical trials to ensure that they produce science-based products.
- Contains DHA
- Affordable option
- Bottle lasts for 3 months
- Small softgels
- Clinically proven absorption
- Contains vitamins and minerals
- Gluten free
- No artificial flavors
- Good Manufacturing Practices
- Contains fish
- Not suitable for vegetarians and vegans
15. Eu Natural – Conception Prenatal Vitamin
Ingredients
This fertility and prenatal multivitamin contains a plethora of vitamins and minerals to support a healthy pregnancy. Not only is this supplement specifically formulated for pregnant women, it also contains a fertility complex for healthy conception.
Quality
This prenatal formula is highly researched and formulated by medical professionals based on the latest technology. Eu Naturals is backed by science with extensive clinical studies for efficacy and safety. This product is made in the USA, GMP certified, third-party tested, and clinically proven. The ingredients are also pure, containing no artificial ingredients, gluten, wheat, or dairy.
Value
The price is comparable to other prenatal multivitamins, but the supply is significantly less. The quality and research are still valuable to women trying to become pregnant.
Brand
Eu Natural stands out from other brands because they’re very transparent with the ingredients in their supplements and how their products are made. Their supplements don’t contain artificial additives. Every Eu Natural purchase equals one year of vitamins for a child in need.
- Contains a fertility complex
- Contains other vitamins and minerals
- Highly researched
- Made with good manufacturing practices
- Suitable for vegetarians
- Contaminant-free
- Brand donates to charity
- Not suitable for vegans and vegetarians
- Bottle only lasts for 1 month
- Contains dairy
All about Prenatal Multivitamins
Like all multivitamins, prenatal multivitamins contain a variety of vitamins and minerals that pregnant women and their developing babies need. They’re designed to nourish a pregnant woman’s body and promote healthy fetal development.
Prenatal vitamins should be taken during the entire nine months of pregnancy. For optimal health, they should be taken prior to pregnancy, if possible, and after.
There’s more to prenatal multivitamins than just taking them, however. From the benefits to the side effects, we’re going in-depth on all things related to prenatal vitamins and how to choose the best ones for you.
Why Prenatal Multivitamins Matter
Many people believe that taking prenatal multivitamins is optional, but many health care professionals strongly recommend taking these specially formulated supplements to encourage a healthy pregnancy.
Prenatal vitamins contain a variety of vitamins and minerals that are needed during pregnancy for the mother and baby to thrive. While these nutrients can be obtained through food, it’s important to remember that the daily requirements for these vitamins and minerals are increased during pregnancy. Rather than consume a larger quantity of foods, prenatal multivitamins are a quick and efficiency way to ensure that pregnant women meet their increased daily needs for many vitamins and minerals.
The specific nutrients in prenatal multivitamins also have certain roles to make sure that the pregnancy is smooth and that the baby is born without complications. Folic acid is one of these nutrients that are vital in prenatal multivitamins.
Prenatal multivitamins are especially important in women who have dietary restrictions, certain health issues, and various complications with the pregnancy. These circumstances may include vegetarians, women with chronic diseases, multiple pregnancies, and more. Because there are additional circumstances surrounding the pregnancy, prenatal multivitamins serve as a safety net to make sure all nutritional requirements are met for a healthy pregnancy.
Plus, prenatal multivitamins have many proven health benefits due to the nutritional density. Prenatal multivitamins often have two dozen or more vitamins and minerals, which can benefit the mother, baby, and overall pregnancy in various ways.
Benefits of Prenatal Multivitamins
Prenatal multivitamins are often associated with health skin, hair, and nails, but the health benefits go far beyond cosmetic benefits.
Pregnant women experience a boost in overall health, specifically surrounding digestion, energy levels, and preventing nutritional deficiencies.
Benefits to mom:
- Digestion
Pregnant women often experience morning sickness and nausea, especially when taking medications and vitamins. Many prenatal vitamins are formulated to be gentle on the digestive system to soothe nausea and even prevent constipation, as some forms of iron in multivitamins can cause uncomfortable constipation. (1) Some prenatal multivitamins even reduce burps and gas, and vitamins containing probiotics support both gut health and immunity.
- Energy
Being pregnant isn’t easy, and growing a life form inside you is exhausting. Prenatal multivitamins often contain thiamine, a B vitamin that helps break down carbohydrates to boost energy levels. (2) When you’re pregnant, you’ll take all the extra energy you can get.
- Prevent Anemia
Iron deficiency is a serious issue in pregnant women, and it can lead to a more serious issue called anemia. Anemia during pregnancy can increase the risks of preterm birth, low birth rate, and other pregnancy complications. (3)
Prenatal multivitamins aren’t just for the mother, however. The unborn baby experiences many benefits from the nutrient-dense vitamins, including growth, development, and preventing birth defects.
Benefits to baby:
- Fetal Development
One of the main functions of prenatal vitamins is to promote healthy overall development of the baby. Certain nutrients target certain aspects or stages of development. Omega-3 fatty acids like DHA, for example, play a vital role in the development of the baby’s brain and nervous system. (4) Vitamin D encourages the baby’s teeth and bones to grow in. (5) The micronutrients in prenatal vitamins are specifically designed to foster the baby’s development at a healthy pace.
- Prevent Birth Defects
Prenatal vitamins are packed with folic acid, a B vitamin that has been proven to prevent neural tube birth defects on the brain and spine. (6, 7) This vitamin can also prevent congenital heart defects. (8) Taking prenatal vitamins with folic acid can also prevent other birth defects, such as cleft lip and preeclampsia. (9, 10)
- Prevent Autism
Women who take prenatal vitamins during pregnancy reduce the risk of their children developing behaviors of autism. (11, 12) The link between prenatal vitamins and autism prevention may strongly be connection to the folic acid levels in the vitamin, but more research needs to be conducted. (13)
Because prenatal vitamins are highly nutritious, both mother and baby may experience more benefits than typically associated with prenatal vitamins. While the mother might find that prenatal vitamins makes the physical labors of pregnancy somewhat easier, they’re mainly designed to nourish her body, so she can support the development of life inside her. These benefits are due to the nutrient-dense ingredients commonly found in prenatal multivitamins.
Ingredients in Prenatal Multivitamins
Prenatal vitamins usually contain pure ingredients – just the nutrients and minimal ingredients to bind them together. The most common and important nutrients found in prenatal multivitamins include:
- Folic acid
This is one of the main nutrients in prenatal vitamins because of its strong correlation to prevent birth defects, especially neural tube defects like spina bifida. Folic acid is also used in red blood cell production, prevent pregnancy complications, and building new cells – all vital for a healthy pregnancy.
- Iron
Iron is a staple in prenatal multivitamins because it can be difficult to absorb through food sources alone, yet pregnant women need significantly more iron than non-pregnant people. Adequate iron intake reduces the risk of pregnancy-related anemia, which can cause complications with the pregnancy.
- Calcium:
It’s no surprise that calcium intake is associated with healthy bones. The calcium in prenatal vitamins help build a healthy skeleton and proper bone mass in the developing baby. (14) Prenatal calcium is also important for the mother’s bones, as suboptimal calcium intake during pregnancy can lead to bone loss in pregnant women. (15)
- Vitamin D:
While vitamin D mainly comes from the sun, it can also come from prenatal vitamins to boost overall health in pregnant women. Vitamin D also helps also nutrients, such as calcium, to be better absorbed in the body. Without adequate vitamin D, pregnant women may experience high blood pressure, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and preterm delivery. (16)
- DHA
Omega-3 fatty acids, especially DHA, are crucial during pregnancy for brain development. Prenatal vitamins are now starting to include DHA , but they can also be taken separately. While DHA is mainly associated with the baby’s brain health, DHA supplementation during pregnancy has been linked to greater gestation duration, larger infant size, and reduction in preterm birth. (17)
There’s no limit to how many micronutrients prenatal vitamins may contain. They often include vitamins A, B12, C, D3, and K and various minerals, including selenium, copper, manganese, and more. Some micronutrients are easier to obtain through diet than others, so it’s important to choose your prenatal multivitamin wisely to make sure it contains the important nutrients listed above.
How to Choose the Best Prenatal Multivitamins
There’s no shortage of prenatal multivitamins on the market, so it can be difficult to choose with so many options. Follow these three simple steps to choose the best prenatal vitamins for you:
- 1. Rule out allergens
Many prenatal vitamins contain omega-3 fatty acids like DHA that are derived from fish. Soy is also commonly found in prenatal vitamins. If you’re allergic to fish or soy, there are plenty of allergen friendly options on the market. Tip: Plant-based prenatal multivitamins are usually a safe bet to avoid allergens.
- 2. Avoid harmful ingredients
Artificial dyes, added sugar, and additives are common ingredients in supplements, including prenatal vitamins. Check the “other ingredients” section on the label to see what potentially harmful ingredients may be included. Tip: If possible, stick to prenatal vitamins with ingredients that come from whole foods.
- 3. Check the nutrient profile
When choosing a prenatal multivitamin, try to find an option that’s dense in nutrients. Make sure it at least contains folic acid, iron, calcium, vitamin D, and DHA. Some prenatal vitamins contain more than two dozen nutrients for a very nutrient-dense supplement.
Your Questions Answered (FAQ)
When Should I Start Taking a Prenatal Multivitamin?
If you’re planning on becoming pregnant, you should start taking a prenatal multivitamin at least one month beforehand. Since most birth defects occur within the first four weeks of pregnancy, taking prenatal vitamins before conception lowers the risks of birth defects. If you’re already pregnant, you should take prenatal vitamins throughout the entire nine months of pregnancy. Women who plan on nursing the baby are encouraged to continue taking prenatal vitamins to promote breast milk production and prevent nutritional deficiencies.
What Are the Side Effects?
The side effects of taking prenatal vitamins are mainly associated with digestive discomfort. Many pregnant women report feeling nauseous or experiencing sickness after taking prenatal vitamins. This can be alleviated by taking the vitamins with food or choosing a prenatal vitamin that is gentle on the stomach. Side effects may also include constipation, which is likely caused by certain forms of iron. Look for non-constipating iron in your prenatal vitamin to prevent this. Other side effects may include diarrhea, low appetite, and cramps.
Can I Take Prenatal Vitamins if I Am Not Pregnant?
Prenatal vitamins are believed to be safe to take even if you’re not pregnant, and they’re encouraged if you’re trying to conceive. However, we recommend taking a regular multivitamin to better suit your needs if you’re not pregnant and not trying to become pregnant.
What Are the Recommended Daily Allowances of the Vitamins and Minerals Found in Prenatal Vitamins?
Too much of anything can be a bad thing, which is why it’s important to monitor your intake of certain vitamins and minerals. With supplementation, it’s very easy to accidentally consume an excessive amount of nutrients.
These are the recommended daily allowances of common nutrients found in prenatal vitamins as stipulated by the National Institute of Health:
Why Should I Take a Prenatal Multivitamin?
When you are expecting a child, you need a larger quantity of many vitamins and minerals – both for the mother, and the baby. This is because the woman’s body is using its nutritional and fat stores for the baby to help ensure that it has all of the basic building blocks it needs to grow healthily. A prenatal multivitamin fills in possible nutritional gaps that may exist in the expectant mother’s diet. They also include a variety of other nutrients that may not be abundantly present in food that we eat, such as iron and folic acid, that are needed to prevent birth defects and anemia.
How Often Should I Take It?
Each individual prenatal multivitamin supplement will list its usage recommendations on the package. Some prenatal multivitamins need to be taken multiple times a day, and some need to be taken only once a day. Therefore, it is important to carefully read the directions for use on your prenatal multivitamin package and determine how often you should be taking it.
Can I Take Too Many Prenatal Multivitamins?
Yes, it is possible to ingest too many prenatal multivitamins at one time. This is because too much of anything, even vitamins and minerals, can be a bad thing. Overdosing on nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that are present in a prenatal multivitamin can be harmful to both you, and your baby. For instance, if you take too much vitamin A, you may cause birth defects in your developing child. Therefore, read the directions on your prenatal multivitamin package and determine exactly how many pills you should be taking every day to keep you and your child safe. As long as you are taking the recommended dosage as indicated on the package, you will be safe.
Do Prenatal Multivitamins Require a Prescription?
No, over-the-counter prenatal multivitamins do not require a prescription. You can purchase many high-quality prenatal multivitamins from the comfort of your own home through online retailers.
Who Should Be Taking Prenatal Multivitamins?
Women who are planning on becoming pregnant or trying to conceive a baby should take prenatal multivitamins regularly. This is because having a low amount of folic acid in a woman’s system immediately before and after conception is the main cause of a baby developing neural tube defects. If you are already pregnant, start taking a prenatal multivitamin immediately. Women who are nursing or breastfeeding should also take a prenatal multivitamin.