Creating life inside of you makes you want the very best for yourself and your baby!
This includes picking the best prenatal vitamins for pregnancy.
There are so many Prenatal Vitamins to choose from! This can get overwhelming pretty fast for a new mom.
To make the choice easier on first-time moms, I have listed 8 highly rated prenatal vitamins.
But to know which one is best for you, you must first understand the importance of a prenatal vitamin.
In this post, I discuss:
- When you should start taking prenatal vitamins?
- Why you should take prenatal vitamins?
- What nutrients to look for when choosing a prenatal vitamin?
- and 8 best prenatal vitamins for pregnancy.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure for more information.
Table of Contents
When To Start Taking Prenatal Vitamins?
This may come as a surprise to you, but doctors recommend starting prenatal vitamins when you have decided you want to start trying to have a baby.
In other words, before you are pregnant!
This is because vital nutrients are needed to help the developing fetus during the first few weeks after conception.
You can go weeks before you confirm your pregnancy, and those are weeks you and your baby are going without the necessary nutrients.
I always thought it was as soon as you become pregnant
Women who plan their pregnancy tend to prepare their bodies by making healthier food choices and stopping harmful habits like drinking or smoking.
However, Fifty percent of women in the U.S have an unplanned pregnancy.
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Why Should You Take Prenatal Vitamins Before Pregnancy?
Your baby gets all the nutrients it needs from you, the mother, so if you are low on any of the required nutrients, so will your baby.
It’s like Healthline stated, taking you prenatal vitamins before pregnancy is like building up a reserve:
If you have more than enough of the vitamins and nutrients you need to thrive, then you can afford to share those vitamins and nutrients with your baby as they grow.
What To Look For When Choosing The Best Prenatal Vitamins For Pregnancy?
Before deciding on a prenatal vitamin for pregnancy, please consult your doctor because they know what additional nutrients and vitamins you should include daily and the amount necessary for you and your baby’s development.
Below I have listed the vitamins you should look for when deciding on a prenatal vitamin:
Folic Acid / Folate
Folic Acid is a B vitamin responsible for creating your baby’s neural tube, or the structure that eventually forms the brain and spinal column.
Without a fully developed neural tube, a baby could be born with spina bifida or anencephaly.
The only catch? The neural tube closes within the first 4 weeks after conception, which is often before or right after a woman realizes she’s pregnant.
Iron
Iron supplies the fetus with blood and oxygen, helps build the placenta, and gives you the extra blood volume you need throughout pregnancy.
Anemia during pregnancy is associated with higher rates of premature delivery and low infant birth weight.
*gummy prenatal vitamins don’t have iron, so you will have to get a separate supplement for iron.
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Vitamin D
Vitamin D helps promote healthy bones development and a healthy immune system for you and baby.
It can also help with heart health. Low vitamin D has been linked to poor growth, bone growth, and limited calcium absorption.
Omega 3 – DHA
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an omega-3 fatty acid that is structural component of the human brain, cerebral cortex, and skin.
DHA helps promote healthy eyes and nervous system tissue. This can be very important during the first stages of pregnancy when the neural tube is being developed.
Some studies suggest that DHA can help the mother carry the pregnancy to full term.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is involved in producing red blood cells, and supporting a healthy nervous system.
Healthline mentioned how doctors also believe a vitamin B-12 supplement along with folic acid will help prevent birth defects such as spina bifida and defects that affect the spine and central nervous system.
Calcium
Calcium helps support strong bones and teeth.
If you don’t get enough calcium in your diet, your body will take what your baby needs. That’s especially the case during the third trimester, when bone development peaks at 250 to 350 milligrams transferred from you and your baby every day.
Iodine
Iodine is a mineral found in food. Whattoexpect says, it’s one of the most important minerals a fetus needs for brain development and physical growth.
Iodine also helps promote healthy thyroid function during pregnancy. This nutrient is important to include because the body cannot produce iodine.
In some cases, iodine deficiency can cause stunted growth, mental disability, and deafness. Iodine also plays a role in the development of the central nervous system.
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8 Best Prenatal Vitamins For Pregnancy!
1.Ritual
Subscription required
Vegan – Gluten Free – Major Allergen Free – Non GMO- No Artificial Colorant or Synthetic Fillers.
If you are the kind of person who likes to know exactly what’s going into your body this prenatal vitamin may be perfect for you! They tell you exactly what’s in it, where it comes, how it can benefit you.
Nutrients Included: Folate (1000 mcg), Choline (55mg), Omega 3 – DHA ( 350 mg), Iron (18 mg), Vitamin B12 (8 mcg), Vitamin D (2000 IU), Iodine (150 mcg) & many others.
2. Nature Made Mutli +DHA
Gluten Free – No Artificial Flavors – No Color Added
This may be a great option for you if you are looking for an affordable prenatal vitamin with DHA.
Nutrients Included: Calcium (150 mg), Omega 3 -DHA (200 mg), Folic Acid (800 mcg), Vitamin D (1000 IU) and B12 (5.2 mcg), Iron (27 mg), Iodine (150 mcg) & many others.
3. Smarty Pants Prenatal Formula
Gluten Free- Major Allergen Free- Non GMO – No Artificial Colorant or Flavors
If morning sickness has made it difficult for you to swallow prenatal vitamins, try these gummies’ prenatal vitamins.
Nutrient Included: Vitamin D3 (1200 IU), Omega 3 DHA (132 mg), Folate (600 mcg), Vitamin B12 (4.7 mcg), Iodine (290 mcg), Choline (55mg) & many more.
4. Megafood Baby & Me 2
Vegan – Non GMO – Gluten, Dairy, Soy and Glyphosate Residue Free – Kosher
This prenatal vitamin is doctor formulate and made from real whole food.
Nutrient Included: Folate (1020 mcg), Choline (300 mg), Iron (18 mg), Vitamin B12 (8mcg), Vitamin D (100 mg), Iodine (150 mcg) & many more.
5. Garden Of Life Prenatal
Vegan – Organic- Gluten Free – Non GMO -Whole food Multivitamin – No Synthetic binders & Fillers.
Organic prenatal vitamin made from whole foods. It also has a stomach soothing blend to help fight nausea caused my morning sickness.
Nutrient Included: Folate (800 mcg), Iron (27 mg), Vitamin D3 (1000 IU), Vitamin B12 (14 mcg), Iodine (290 mcg) & many more.
6. One A Day Prenatal
Gluten Free – No Artificial Sweeteners – No High Fructose Corn Syrup
One of the most recommended over the counter by OBGYN. Contains most of the key nutrients and it’s affordable.
Nutrients Included: Folic Acid (800 mcg), Omega 3 (235mg) DHA (200mg), Calcium (200mg), Vitamin D (400 IU), Vitamin B12 (8mcg), Iron (28mg), Iodine (150 mcg) & many more.
7. Actif Organic Prenatal
Organic – Non- GMO – Allergen Free – Gluten Free – BPA free – 100% Vegetable Food Coloring.
An organic prenatal vitamin that contains 100 percent of the daily requirement of Iron, contains DHA and probiotics.
Nutrients Included:Folate (800 mcg), Omega 3- DHA (235mg), Calcium (200mg), Vitamin D (400 IU), Vitamin B12 (2.5mcg), Iron (30mg), Iodine (150 mcg), (Choline 50mg) & many more.
8. Pink Stork Liquid Prenatal
Vegan – Organic – Whole Food Ingredients – Gluten Free – Dairy Free – Fish Free – Soy Free – Non GMO.
Yes, a liquid prenatal vitamin! If do not like pills, This maybe a great option for you. Liquid vitamins are absorbed far better than pills and are more bioavailable. They are easy-to-swallow and can mix into your favorite beverage.
Nutrients Included: Folate (800 mcg), Calcium (50 mg), Vitamin D (20 mcg), Vitamin B12 (2.8 mcg), Iron (18 mg), Iodine (290 mcg), (Choline 100 mg) & many more.
When Should You Stop Taking Prenatal Vitamins?
You can stop taking your prenatal vitamins after birth if you do not plan to breastfeed.
Don’t stop before giving birth to prevent nutrient depletion.
If you plan to breastfeed, continue taking your prenatal vitamins until you stop breastfeeding. The reason for this is similar to pregnancy in that your baby will be getting all their nutrients from you but this time through your breastmilk.
So you don’t deprive yourself or your baby of the necessary nutrients.
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Hope this made it easier to decided on a prenatal vitamin!
