Keeping our babies healthy starts long before we actually meet them, and one of the very beginning steps is prenatal vitamins. You probably already know about prenatal vitamins if you’re reading this, but in case you’re wondering what the point of them is they’re basically a supplement containing most of the nutrients your baby needs to grow and develop well in the womb. We’ve put together a list of the 10 best prenatal vitamins out there to help you pick which is the best fit for you and your expectations.
What to look for in prenatal vitamins?
When to Take Prenatals
If you are planning on getting pregnant, you will want to begin taking one of these best prenatal vitamins three months prior to when you begin trying. This will help ensure that you are producing the healthiest egg possible. When this isn’t the case, just begin taking prenatal vitamins as soon as you have any inkling you might be pregnant. The very beginning stages of pregnancy are really critical for development. You’ll want to make sure your baby is receiving all essential nutrients. Continue to take one of these best prenatal vitamins throughout pregnancy.
As for what time of day to take your prenatal vitamin, it’s really up to you. Take it at whatever time of day you feel you will be most likely to remember. Absorption is the same any time of day, so don’t worry about that. For mamas that always feel nauseous when taking their vitamin, try to take it while eating a meal. That tends to help settle your stomach.
The Magic Stuff
You might be wondering what’s so special about prenatal vitamins. Here’s a little breakdown. Folic acid, iron, and calcium are the most important ingredients in your prenatal vitamins. Each has a special power; iron helps deliver oxygen to the baby, calcium helps both the baby and mother’s bones stay strong, and folic acid keeps neural tube defects from developing. All other ingredients are just kind of an added benefit.
You will want to consult with your doctor to make sure there aren’t other ingredients you need to be supplementing as well. All our bodies are different and need different support when creating a little new life!
Prescription vs. Over the Counter
It is completely fine to take over the counter vitamins, just make sure they have a USP seal or NSF International Certification to ensure supplement quality. Make sure to bring up with your doctor which vitamin you are taking. It is likely that once you’ve had your first appointment with your OBGYN, they will prescribe you a prenatal vitamin. All prescription prenatal vitamins are monitored by the FDA and many will contain extra supplements depending on what your doctor thinks you need.
10 Best Prenatal Vitamins
Our Absolute Favorite – Ritual Essential Prenatal Vitamins
Ritual’s Essential Prenatal is one of the best prenatal vitamins on the market today. It has methylated 4th generation folate + 11 additional essential nutrients for your body and your baby, before, during, and after pregnancy. They offer convenient FREE monthly shipping so you never run out of vitamins. A few things we love are the no-nausea capsule design, are vegan certified, both gluten & allergy free, plus they are Non-GMO and contain no colorants or synthetic fillers. Save 10% on Ritual Vitamins when you use this link: ritual.com/global
New Chapter Perfect Prenatal Multi-Vitamin
A lot of moms are on the lookout for organic vegan prenatal vitamins, making these the perfect best prenatal vitamin choice. They’re even certified non-GMO. They’re pretty easy on the stomach too, which is always good news for pregnant mamas. Check current prices here!
Megafood Baby & Me 2
If you are going to be taking these pills every day, you probably want to ensure they are actually being absorbed. Megafood vitamins are one of the best prenatal vitamins because they’re made with high quality, super easy to absorb ingredients. They contain a lower dosage of iron than some other brands, so just make sure to discuss with your doctor if you need an extra supplement to make up for that. Check current prices here!
Garden of Life Prenatals
You might be on the prowl for an all natural vitamin. If so, check out Garden of Life because they’re made completely from organic fruits and veggies. You will need to take 3 a day at different times, so you will probably plan around meals. Besides being beneficial for your baby, these pills provide a lot of support for mom; digestion, probiotic, and immune support. Check current prices here!
Rainbow Light Prenatal Petite Mini-Tab Multivitamin
You could probably guess from the title that these guys are mini, which is a huge bonus for mamas who have a hard time swallowing pills. Mighty things come in small packages, and these contain the right amount of folic acid, vitamin D, and iron. They are only a little short on calcium, but you can easily make up for this in your diet or with another vitamin. Check current prices here!
NatureMade Prenatal Multi + DHA
These easy to swallow soft gel tablets come at a low cost and contain everything you need. The added DHA, a fatty acid found in fish oil, is also a big bonus and helps your baby’s brain and eye development. Check current prices here!
The Honest Company Prenatal
These prenatal vitamins are made with the idea of settling your sensitive tummy. They’ve also got a sweet vanilla coating making them easy to swallow. They’re completely GMO-free and contain all the ingredients needed to help your baby thrive. Check current prices here!
One A Day Prenatal
One A Day is a well-trusted brand for their daily vitamins, so it’s no surprise they branched off to create a prenatal vitamin. They are highly recommended by OB/GYN’s for providing all the nutrition needed for a developing baby. Check current prices here!
Smartypants Prenatal Complete
Who says the best prenatal vitamin has to be a pill? These are chewable gummies instead! They should be easier to keep down and even come in delicious flavors; orange, lemon, and strawberry-banana. They do all this while staying sweetener and preservative free. The only thing a little tricky about these is that you will need to take 6 a day, but that easily breaks down to 2 at every meal. Check current prices here!
Vitafusion Prenatal Vitamin Gummies
This is another great option if you’re looking for a pill alternative. These are basically like little candies. They contain all the necessary ingredients, plus that extra bonus of DHA. They contain no iron, which means if you need iron, you will have to get it from another supplement. Some moms prefer the absence of iron because it can be a little easier on the stomach. Check current prices here!
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Pin for later – The 10 Best Prenatal Vitamins – Did Yours Make the List?
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