If you have pregnancy complications or other health concerns, a healthcare professional might recommend a prescription prenatal supplement. Otherwise, consider the following factors when choosing the best over-the-counter (OTC) prenatal vitamin for you:

• Included nutrients and doses: While there are several key nutrients to look for in a prenatal vitamin to support a healthy pregnancy, the best prenatal is the one that best fits your nutritional needs. Be sure to talk with your OB-GYN or other healthcare professional about the nutrients you need and the recommended doses.
• Supplement type: If you dislike swallowing pills, look for a prenatal that comes in a chewable, gummy, liquid, or powdered form
• Recommended daily dose: Some prenatals come in a one-a-day formulation, while others may require up to 8 pills daily. Be sure to consider the option that’s best for you. While only remembering to take 1 pill is more convenient, some people report better tolerance if they divide the dose throughout the day.
• Dietary needs: If you have any food allergies or dietary preferences, such as a vegan diet, be sure to read ingredient lists carefully to select a product that suits your needs.
• Third-party testing: To ensure the contents of your prenatal multivitamin match the label, look for products that are third-party tested by organizations such as Labdoor, NSF, USP, or UL Solutions.

Medical Perspective“Nausea is common during pregnancy, especially during the first trimester, and missing your prenatal for a few days or even weeks because of nausea is unlikely to harm your baby. Focus on staying hydrated, eating what you can tolerate, and finding a prenatal routine that works for you.”

— Imashi Fernando, MS, RDN, CDCES

Learn more about maintaining a healthy pregnancy.

_{Quotes represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.}

A well-rounded prenatal should include a variety of nutrients that are in high demand during pregnancy, such as:

• B vitamins, including folate: Your body needs eight different B vitamins. During pregnancy, your need for these nutrients increases. 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.
• Choline: Choline needs increase significantly during pregnancy, as choline plays an important role in placental and fetal development. Research suggests up to 95% of pregnant peopleTrusted Source don’t consume enough choline. A well-designed prenatal should cover at least some of your choline needs.
• DHA and EPA: You need more of these fatty acids during pregnancy because they’re important for fetal brain developmentTrusted Source. 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.
• Vitamin D: Although the current recommended vitamin D intake during pregnancy is 600 IU — the same as for people who aren’t pregnant — needs during pregnancy may be much higher, at about 4,000 IU per dayTrusted Source. Most prenatals contain much less, so you may need an extra vitamin D supplement.
• Iron: Iron needs increase during pregnancy. However, as iron intake varies greatly from person to person, people should ideally supplement separately based on their iron levels.
• Magnesium, calcium, iodine, and zinc: Needs for these minerals also increase during pregnancy, so a good prenatal will cover all or most of these.
• Vitamin A: Vitamin A is necessary for fetal eye and organ development, immune system function, and more.

These are just some of the nutrients that are in higher demand during pregnancy. A well-rounded prenatal will provide the additional nutrients your body needs during pregnancy, but it should not replace a balanced diet.

Folic acid and folateTrusted Source are two different forms of vitamin B9, a nutrient involved in DNA synthesis, cell growth, and protein metabolism:

• Folate: a form that’s naturally found in a variety of foods, including leafy green vegetables, beans, nuts, and fruits
• Folic acid: a synthetic form of vitamin B9 that’s often added to supplements and fortified foods

Compared with folate naturally found in foods, the body absorbs folic acid more efficiently.

Furthermore, folic acid is the only form of folate proven to prevent neural tube defectsTrusted Source during pregnancy.

For this reason, most health organizations recommend taking a folic acid supplementTrusted Source when trying to conceive and through the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

But what about L-methylfolate?

Many prenatal supplements also contain L-methylfolate (also known as 5-methyltetrahydrofolate, or 5-MTHF), which is the biologically active form of folate.

Because certain genetic mutations — including the MTHFR gene mutation, which affects about 25%Trusted Source of the global population — can affect the body’s ability to efficiently convert folic acid into its active form, supplementing with L-methylfolateTrusted Source might be a better option for some people.

In fact, a 2023 study found that this form was as effective as folic acid at increasing folate levels in pregnant people, while also reducing the risk of unmetabolized folic acidTrusted Source in the blood. While more studies are needed, some research suggests that high levels of unmetabolized folic acid may be harmful to health.

If you’re unsure which form of vitamin B9 is best for you, consult an OB-GYN or another healthcare professional for additional guidance.

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

For example, your folate needs increase by 50%Trusted Source, and your iron needs increase by 150%Trusted Source.

These and many other nutrients are essential for fetal and placental growth and the general health of the pregnant person, which is why they’re needed in larger amounts during pregnancy.

For example, supplementing with folate before conception significantly reduces the risk of neural tube irregularities such as spina bifida.

Taking a prenatal vitamin that contains all the nutrients needed to support a healthy pregnancy can help reduce the risk of deficiencies and ensure you’re getting the vitamins and minerals you need to keep yourself and your baby healthy.

When should I start taking a prenatal?

Most experts recommend taking a prenatal supplement for at least 3 months before becoming pregnant to ensure adequate stores of key nutrients, such as folate.

If you aren’t already taking a daily prenatal vitamin, start taking one as soon as you find out you’re expecting. You’ll continue taking your prenatal vitamin every day during your pregnancy.

Do I need prenatal vitamins after I give birth?

Yes, experts also recommend continuing to take a prenatal supplement after you give birth, though there are also several products on the market specifically designed for the postnatal period.

This is because your body needs extra nutrients to support healing after delivery and, if you decide to breastfeed, more during breastfeeding. In fact, the need for many nutrients is even higher during breastfeeding than during pregnancy.