Good nutrition is paramount to the health of the mother and her growing baby during pregnancy. While the goal is to meet as many needs as possible through food first, this can be a challenge, especially when battling nausea, aversions, and low appetite. Additionally, nutrient needs are heightened during pregnancy. This is why prenatal vitamin supplements are so helpful during this journey. They provide essential nutrients that support fetal development and help address the increased nutritional needs of expectant mothers.
A quality prenatal vitamin provides nutrients that play a role in reducing the risk of birth defects as well as the growth and development of the baby. However, it’s really important to remember that not all prenatal supplements are created equal. Additionally, there is no ONE best prenatal vitamin choice for everyone. We all have individualized needs, and the best choice for you will depend on your overall diet, health history, preferences, budget, labs, and more.
That said, some choices are more well-rounded and of higher quality than others. We believe higher quality prenatal vitamin supplement choices include third-party testing for purity and quality. Additionally, high-quality and well-rounded prenatal vitamins include forms of nutrients that are easier for the body to absorb and utilize. Choosing a well-rounded prenatal vitamin can give mothers peace of mind, knowing they’re supporting their growing babies with the best ingredients possible.
Please remember, no matter what prenatal vitamin you choose, the foods you eat are most important. There is no “perfect” prenatal vitamin choice.
In this post, we’ll look into four prenatal vitamin supplements that are generally well-rounded and are third-party-tested options. Remember, there are many more than this that can fit. One of the following may or may not be the best choice for YOU and your pregnancy.
4 Best Natural Prenatal Supplements for Optimal Health: Supporting Your Body and Baby Naturally
Seeking Health Optimal Prenatal Capsules
This is a great choice for anyone looking for a high-quality, well-rounded prenatal vitamin supplement. It includes essential vitamins and minerals like vitamin b6, folate, and calcium, as well as magnesium and choline, which are missing in many prenatal vitamins on the market. Because this option packs in 38 nutrients, it ends up at eight capsules daily. This may be a con for some individuals, especially those experiencing nausea or who don’t like to swallow capsules. The good news is this brand does offer a powder form for those who would prefer this!
Discount code: RyannK
Full Well Prenatal Vitamin
This is another great prenatal vitamin supplement choice for anyone looking for a high-quality and well-rounded prenatal vitamin. It has it all, from activated B vitamins to vitamin K2, magnesium, choline, and glycine to 4,000 IU of vitamin D. Full Well Prenatal Vitamin is third-party tested for purity and quality of ingredients.
Like Seeking Health, it requires eight capsules daily. It also offers a lemon essence option that some find helpful when battling nausea. Although it does not include DHA or iron, the need for these nutrients can be met through diet or a separate supplement if needed.
Needed Prenatal Vitamin Multi Powder
Needed’s Prenatal Multi Powder is a third-party tested option that is easy to mix into a smoothie, yogurt, or oatmeal. This makes it a great choice for those who don’t like swallowing capsules or are having trouble with capsules due to nausea. It’s a well-rounded prenatal powder option that includes selenium, activated B vitamins, zinc, magnesium, choline, folate, a great amount of vitamin D, and more.
Discount code: RYANN
SmartyPants Prenatal Formula
SmartyPants offers a better gummy prenatal multivitamin for those who need a gummy form. It has essential nutrients like folate, omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil, vitamin D, vitamin B12, choline, and more, all in a convenient gummy form. Since it is a gummy, this prenatal vitamin is lower overall in nutrients than the options above. It does contain a few grams of added sugar per serving, too.
When To Start Taking Prenatal Supplements
The best time to start taking prenatal vitamins is ideally before conception and continued throughout the pregnancy. Of course, food is the priority, but as we already mentioned, a prenatal vitamin supplement helps fill the gaps. Starting them at least three months before trying to conceive can help you correct nutrient deficiencies and build up essential nutrients such as folate. Folate is crucial for fetal development and preventing neural tube defects.
This early preparation can help ensure your body is ready to support a feel-good pregnancy from the very start. If you’re already pregnant, it’s important to begin taking a prenatal vitamin supplement as soon as you find out. A prenatal vitamin supplement can help you meet nutrient needs even when battling nausea and low appetite, which is super common in early pregnancy. Consistent intake throughout the pregnancy will support fetal growth and development.
Have you found the right prenatal vitamin supplement for you?
Not all supplements are created equally, and there’s no one best choice for everyone. Choosing a high-quality prenatal vitamin supplement can contribute to meeting the nutrient needs required for a healthy pregnancy. They can help fill the gaps and ensure that both mother and baby receive all necessary nutrients for growth and development.
If you liked this blog post, you may also want to read “Is It Safe to Take Collagen While Pregnant?” and “Can You Drink Magnesium While Pregnant?”.
For more guidance on selecting the best prenatal vitamin supplement for YOU, join The Prenatal Nutrition Library (TPNL) app. We have a detailed guide on what to look for and the pros and cons of specific high-quality brands to help you find the right prenatal vitamin supplement to fit your needs!
