What Are the Best Prenatal Vitamins for You?

Not all prenatal vitamins are created equal. Find out which ones are best for you based on your health and lifestyle.

Wondering what the best prenatal vitamins are for your growing baby? Find out in this post which ones are best for you based on your health and lifestyle.

Your baby will take the nutrients they need from you, whether you have enough to spare or not. Because of this, it’s vital to get enough nutrients for both you and your growing baby.

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Unfortunately, many moms begin pregnancy deficient in one or more vitamins or minerals, so prenatal vitamins become especially important. The problem? Not all prenatal vitamins are created equally. Read on to find the best prenatal vitamins for you.

Best Prenatal Vitamins (That Are Food-Based)

Which prenatal vitamins do doctors and midwives recommend? Doctors commonly recommend prenatal vitamins that include folate, iron, calcium, and DHA. These are found in the prenatals below, which we recommend due to their absorbability and a broad spectrum of nutrients.

Mama Natural Organic Prenatal Multivitamin

Mama Natural Organic Prenatal Multivitamin

Mama Natural Organic Prenatal Multivitamins deliver the nutritious power of a fruit, vegetable, and herb blend in one easy-to-swallow daily tablet.  These food-forward, one-a-day prenatal vitamins support digestion, combat nausea, and fuels both you and your baby thanks to:

  • A blend of 12 antioxidant powerhouses like amla berry, broccoli, goji berries, and more!
  • Organic fermented ginger and peppermint leaf
  • Vitamins and minerals from food-based sources
  • 102% of the recommended daily value of food-based folate (so you don’t need an extra folic acid supplement!)

The best part? It’s all USDA certified organic so you can feel good about your vitamins!

MegaFood Baby & Me Prenatal Vitamins

MegaFood Baby & Me Prenatal Vitamins

MegaFood offers two versions of its prenatal blend: Baby & Me and Baby & Me 2 (doesn’t contain the herbal blend).

This company has high quality standards—their prenatal vitamins are non-GMO, contain no pesticides/herbicides, and are made from farm-fresh food.

They contain a great cross-spectrum of nutrients, are higher in vitamin D, contain vitamin K, and have lots of good B vitamins. Plus, they’re strong in iodine, iron and zinc, three important minerals in pregnancy. It is lower in vitamin A, but that shouldn’t be a problem if you take cod liver oil. It’s also low in calcium and magnesium—try supplementing with organic, grass-fed dairy and magnesium.

New Chapter Perfect Prenatals

New Chapter Perfect Prenatals

Perfect Prenatal is gluten-free, non-GMO, and made from organic foods. It is strong in vitamin D, K and iron. Unfortunately, it doesn’t reach the RDA in zinc, iodine, calcium, magnesium, or surprisingly, folate (probably the most important nutrient when pregnant). It also contains soy, which is a high-allergen food, even when fermented. Still, I know many moms who swear by this prenatal, and I do like how it includes probiotics and a sprout blend.

Garden of Life Organic Prenatal

Garden of Life Organic Prenatal

Garden of Life Organic Prenatal is also a non-GMO, food-based, Kosher prenatal vitamin, but it’s also vegan! Unlike New Chapter Perfect Prenatals, Garden of Life Organic Prenatals are rich in folate — 600mg to be exact. Although this formula is a vegan formula, it delivers 100 percent of mama’s iron and iodine needs as well as 50 percent of the daily recommendation of manganese. These are three things that most other vegan formulas do not offer.  Here’s another good reason to consider this prenatal: it’s a once-per-day formula!

Vitamin Code Raw Prenatal

Vitamin Code Raw Prenatal

Vitamin Code is another popular food-based prenatal. It is non-GMO, contains no fillers, and is processed at low heat for optimal nutrient retention. It is strong in vitamin C, iodine, iron, and all of the vitamin Bs. It contains double the vitamin D3 of most prenatals, but it is lower in vitamin K, which can be problematic for good calcium absorption. It’s also lower in zinc and copper, important trace minerals.

Some moms can’t take this formula because they are allergic to one of the many food ingredients, like seeds and grains. Another drawback is that you have to take this prenatal vitamin three times per day—a definite inconvenience for some.  Find them here.

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Prenatal Vitamins for Moms Who Have the MTHFR Mutation

Below are prenatal blends designed especially for women who have the MHTFR mutation.

MTHFR Prenatal: Seeking Health

MTHFR Prenatal_ Seeking Health – What Are the Best Prenatal Vitamins for You? post by Mama Natural

This prenatal was created by one of the world’s MTHFR experts, Dr. Ben Lynch. It contains methylfolate and folinic acid, which are especially great for women who can’t process folic acid or even folate. It also contains methylcobalamin and adenosylcobalamin, absorbable forms of B12 for those with the MTHFR defects. This prenatal is also very high in all vitamins and minerals and even includes some helpful foods and herbs.

The biggest problem with this prenatal is that it doesn’t contain any iron—add Megafood Blood Builder or Liver Pills for iron. And because it’s not food based, it may be harder for the body to absorb all of its nutrients. Find them here.

MTHFR Prenatal: Thorne Research

MTHFR Prenatal_ Thorne Research

As shown above, this prenatal blend includes methylated folate instead of folic acid. It also contains a lot of iron, which can be irritating for some moms and contains significantly less vitamin B6 than the label states. And according to Lab Door’s research, it contains 99 percent less vitamin B6 as is stated on the label, so an additional B supplement may be needed. Find it here.

MTHFR Prenatals: Zahler Prenatal + DHA

MTHFR Prenatals_ Zahler Prenatal + DHA

These prenatals contain methylated folate, which is more easily assimilated into the body. And the added DHA helps baby’s eyes and brain develop. Another plus for some: This blend doesn’t contain herbs. Find them here.

MTHFR Prenatals: Dr. Ron’s

MTHFR Prenatals_ Dr. Ron’s

Though not a prenatal, this multivitamin contains methylated forms of B vitamins and is super high in important minerals like calcium, magnesium, selenium, and iodine. It also contains antioxidants from grape seed extract.

However, this supplement is not food-based and doesn’t include all of the natural co-enzymes, co-factors, and bioflavonoids found in food-based vitamins and minerals. It also may be harder to absorb and cause some stomach upset. Be sure to take this prenatal vitamin with food. It’s also lacking vitamin A and iron, two important nutrients when pregnant.

What Is a Prenatal Vitamin?

Prenatal vitamins are specialized supplements designed to fill the nutritional gaps in your diet during pregnancy. They contain essential vitamins and minerals (and sometimes herbs and fatty acids) that play a vital role in supporting your baby’s growth and development. They also help support your nutritional needs throughout your pregnancy and afterward, if you continue taking them during the “fourth trimester” (such as when breastfeeding).

Can’t you just consume all the nutrients you need from a healthy diet? While possible, it requires a very balanced, nutrient-rich diet—which isn’t always realistic for many expecting moms.

The bottom line is that growing a baby is tough work! To avoid losing your own stores of nutrients, you have to consume enough vitamins and minerals for both you and your developing baby.

Here are the most common vitamins and minerals in prenatal vitamins, an overview of their important roles, and why you need them during pregnancy:

  • Vitamin A: Supports eye and brain development, respiratory development
  • Thiamin (Vitamin B1): Supports the nervous system, supports the baby’s brain development
  • Riboflavin (Vitamin B2): Supports healthy eyes and skin
  • Niacin (Vitamin B3): Supports the digestive, integumentary, and nervous systems
  • Pantothenic (Vitamin B5): Helps to create hormones and may ease leg cramps
  • Vitamin B6: Helps form red blood cells and may help with morning sickness
  • Biotin (Vitamin B7): Works with other B vitamins to help release energy from food
  • Folate/ Folic Acid (Vitamin B9): Prevents neural tube defects and Spina Bifida in baby
  • Vitamin B12: Promotes blood formation and helps prevent birth defects that affect the spine and central nervous system
  • Vitamin C: Helps your body absorb iron and protects against the effects of stress
  • Vitamin D: Helps strengthen bones and teeth, plus helps your body utilize calcium and phosphorus
  • Vitamin E: Promotes overall wellness and metabolism, plus may help reduce miscarriages
  • Vitamin K: Supports healthy bone formation, blood clotting, and healing
  • Calcium: Supports bone development
  • Copper: Plays a role in iron metabolism and supports blood health
  • Iron: Helps the blood carry oxygen
  • Iodine: Supports healthy thyroid function, metabolism, fetal growth, and hearing
  • Magnesium: Supports healthy blood pressure and healthy birth weight
  • Zinc: Supports immune, nerve, and muscle function

Here’s another way to look at the need for prenetals: imagine your body as a canvas, and your baby as the masterpiece it’s creating. Prenatal vitamins are the vibrant colors on your palette; each one contributes to the intricate details of your beautiful creation. But just like paint palettes can contain different types of paint, no two prenatal vitamin brands are the same!

Food-Based vs. Synthetic Prenatals

While there are numerous brands of vitamins available, they all fall into one of two categories: food-based or synthetic prenatal vitamins.

Which prenatal vitamins are best? For the reasons you’ll learn about below, we recommend food-based prenatals since they tend to be easier to absorb, more bioavailable, and potentially less likely to cause side effects.

Food-Based Prenatals:

These are derived from natural sources, like fruits, vegetables, and whole foods. They contain vitamins in their natural form, making them easier for your body to absorb and utilize. The nutrients in food-based prenatals often come with other beneficial plant-based compounds (think: phytonutrients) that support overall health.

Food-based prenatals are not only absorbable but also gentler on the stomach because they are derived from foods instead of isolated vitamins. In fact, many pregnant women who suffer from constipation or nausea while on conventional prenatal vitamins experience a significant improvement in their symptoms after switching to food-based prenatals.

Because they are derived from real foods, prenatal blends contain the enzymes, phytonutrients, and other co-factors that make the vitamin most absorbable and add to the spectrum of beneficial nutrients. Many also include probiotics and herbal blends, which further support gut health and digestion.

The downside to food-based prenatals is that they are more expensive and have lower levels of each vitamin and mineral compared to synthetic vitamins. This means that most one-a-day prenatals and prenatal gummies will not be food-based since it’s difficult to cram enough nutrients into small packages.

However, because food-based supplements are thought to be more highly absorbable than synthetics, this isn’t necessarily a deal-breaker. You usually have to take 2-3 capsules per day rather than one, which can be divided into separate dosages if you’d like (taken in the morning and then at night).

Synthetic Prenatals:

These are the ones you’ll find at most supermarkets or drug stores. They contain a complete cross-spectrum of nutrients, but they are created in laboratories with vitamin isolates separated from the natural co-factors, like phytonutrients, that help your body absorb or utilize the nutrients.

Synthetic vitamins and minerals are often nutritionally inferior to natural types in bioavailability and can sometimes cause digestive issues. When vitamins are isolated like in synthetic vitamin blends, your body may utilize some of the vitamins but deplete others. Specific nutrients that can be problematic in their synthetic forms include:

  • Synthetic vitamin E: Research has linked synthetic vitamin E to DNA damage to the liver, prostate cancer in men, and congenital heart defects in babies born to women taking large doses of vitamin E.
  • Beta-carotene: while beta-carotene is an important precursor to vitamin A, its synthetic form can cause problems. Researchers found that high amounts of synthetic beta-carotene may actually block some of the mechanisms of vitamin A in the body.

Best Prenatals for Those With MTHFR Mutation

Now, let’s talk about a specific scenario that affects some adults, including pregnant women. Imagine your body has a unique genetic makeup called the MTHFR mutation. This gene impacts how well your body processes certain vitamins, including folate.

The MTHFR defect, which may affect up to 50-60 percent of the population, makes it difficult for your body to convert folic acid (and even folate) into a usable form (called methylation). In other words, folic acid supplements are not very helpful for those with this gene since they can’t actually convert and use the nutrients.

Because folate deficiencies are associated with some birth defects such as spina bifida and neural tube defects, it’s vital to know if you have the MTHFR mutation and, if so, to take the right form of prenatal when you are pregnant.

Luckily there are prenatal blends designed especially for women with the MHTFR mutation that take into account this genetic factor and provide the appropriate form of folate that your body can best utilize.

What is the most effective prenatal vitamin if you have the MTHFR mutation? As you’ll learn more about below, it’s best to take those with methyl folate and folinic acid, which are beneficial for those who can’t process folic acid or even folate, as well as methylcobalamin and adenosylcobalamin, which are absorbable forms of B12.

Benefits of Prenatal Vitamins

We’ve just covered the many nutrients packed into prenatal vitamins-—but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Let’s take a look at the many benefits of taking prenatal vitamins:

  • Supporting pregnancy comfort: Prenatal vitamins can help alleviate common discomforts such as nausea and fatigue, making the journey to motherhood a bit more manageable.
  • Healthy hair and skin: Prenatal vitamins can contribute to healthier hair and skin. Hello, pregnancy glow!
    Boosting energy levels: Pregnancy often comes with increased fatigue (especially in the first and third trimesters!), but the added nutrients in prenatal vitamins can provide a much-needed energy boost.
  • Enhancing mood stability: The blend of vitamins and minerals in prenatal supplements can help stabilize mood swings and reduce feelings of anxiety or depression.
  • Preventing nutrient depletion in mama: Pregnancy places greater demands on your body’s resources. Prenatal vitamins ensure you’re not depleting your own nutrient stores while nourishing your baby’s development.
  • Reducing risk of deficiency: Even with a well-balanced diet, it can be challenging to meet all your nutrient needs during pregnancy, especially if you’re dealing with morning sickness. Prenatal vitamins act as insurance against potential nutrient gaps.
  • Preparing for breastfeeding: Prenatal vitamins help prepare your body for the demands of breastfeeding by ensuring you have adequate nutrients for both you and your baby. In fact, you can (and should) continue taking your prenatal vitamin throughout lactation too.
  • Supporting postpartum recovery: The nutrients in your prenatal vitamins can aid in postpartum recovery by helping your body heal and regain strength after childbirth.

Remember, for the greatest benefits, prenatal vitamins should be taken as part of a comprehensive approach to health, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, and prenatal care.

What Is the Best Time to Take a Prenatal Vitamin?

Unlike some supplements or medications that need to be taken at a certain time, that’s not the case with prenatal vitamins. There isn’t a “best” time of day to take your vitamins in terms of absorption.

For some mamas, the best time to take a prenatal vitamin might be first thing in the morning, especially if you’re already in the habit of taking supplements in the morning.

If you’re battling morning sickness (and have a strong gag reflex), try taking prenatals with a meal rather than right before your meal or on an empty stomach. Taking them with a meal, especially one that contains some fat, has the added benefit of supporting absorption of fat-soluble nutrients like vitamins A, D, and K.

Other mamas swear that taking prenatal vitamins at bedtime, right after brushing your teeth, helps to reduce nausea. This is likely because the food that’s already in your stomach helps to reduce side effects.

The bottom line: the best time to take your prenatal vitamin is the time that works for you! Listen to your body and make adjustments (like taking it later in the day) if you experience side effects like nausea or an upset stomach.

Good for Mama, Good for Baby

When Should You Start Taking Prenatal Vitamins?

Prenatal vitamins should ideally be taken before conception, throughout pregnancy, and during the postpartum period while breastfeeding. In fact, since 50 percent of pregnancies are unplanned, all women of childbearing age might consider taking prenatal vitamins.

How Long Should You Take Prenatals

It’s recommended to continue taking them for at least six weeks after giving birth to support overall health and recovery.

If you plan on breastfeeding, many midwives and healthcare providers will recommend continuing to take your prenatal for the entire duration of breastfeeding.

How to Create Your Own Prenatal Vitamin

Buying good-quality prenatals is definitely convenient, but you can also create your own prenatal vitamins based on your particular biological needs.

How do you choose the right prenatal vitamins? Some moms decide to have a blood test and/or a hair tissue mineral analysis to determine the specific nutrients they may need more of and which minerals they don’t need to supplement with. Obviously, not everyone can afford or access this kind of personalized testing, but hopefully, this will be the medical norm one day.

If you do create your own, make sure it includes folate, magnesium, iodine, zinc, iron, plus vitamins A, D, C, K, and B. Supplements that include all of these nutrients are also among the best prenatal vitamins to take when not pregnant, too (yes, you can benefit from prenatals even if you’re not expecting!).

It’s also a good idea to include a good probiotic in your supplement routine to support your gut health. By boosting your good bacteria levels, you can help to ward off things like Group B Strep and thrush when breastfeeding. You can also help colonize your baby with the best bacteria possible, which can positively impact his or her health for the rest of his or her life.

Conclusion: What Are the Best Prenatal Vitamins

  • There are many benefits of prenatal vitamins for pregnancy, such as supporting fetal growth and development, keeping your energy up, and strengthening your baby’s bones and teeth (as well as yours!).
  • What vitamins should you take when pregnant? Consider a food-based prenatal that is highly absorbable. Make sure it contains folate, iron, calcium, and ideally DHA and all 13 essential vitamins and minerals (like B vitamins and vitamins A, D, C, and K).
  • No matter which road you take with your prenatal, the important thing is to flood your body with a cross-spectrum of nutrients through supplements (ideally food-based prenatals and multivitamins) and a balanced diet.
  • Quality prenatals are especially important during your second, third, or fourth pregnancy, when nutritional reserves may be lower than the first time around.
  • Take the extra time and expense to feed and nurture yourself well during these critical child-bearing years. It will pay off with greater health and vitality for you and your family!

How about you? Which prenatal did you take while pregnant? Did you feel good on? Share with us!

References

https://www.rxlist.com/folic_acid/supplements.htm
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1369848613001349
https://www.organicconsumers.org/news/nutri-con-truth-about-vitamins-supplements
https://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/dietary-supplements-what-the-industry-does-not-want-you-to-know/
http://mthfrliving.com/health-conditions/preparing-pregnancy-mthfr-mutations/
https://www.webmd.com/baby/guide/prenatal-vitamins
https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-902-copper.aspx?activeingredientid=902&activeingredientname=copper
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24696187
https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/71/5/1325S/4729494
https://labdoor.com/rankings/prenatal-vitamins

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Genevieve Howland

About the Author

Genevieve Howland is a doula and childbirth educator. She is the bestselling author of The Mama Natural Week-by-Week Guide to Pregnancy and Childbirth and creator of the Mama Natural Birth Course. A mother of three, graduate of the University of Colorado, and YouTuber with over 135,000,000 views, she helps mothers and moms-to-be lead healthier and more natural lives.

Kendra Tolbert MS RDN registered dietitian nutritionist square

Reviewed By
 Kendra Tolbert, MS, RDN

Kendra Tolbert, MS, RDN is a registered dietitian nutritionist specializing in preconception and reproductive health nutrition. She completed her Master’s degree in Nutrition and Public Health at Teachers College, Columbia University.

Maura Winkler Certified Nurse Midwife square

Reviewed By
 Maura Winkler, CNM, IBCLC

Maura Winkler, CNM, CD, IBCLC is a Certified Nurse Midwife, Registered Nurse, Certified Doula, Board Certified Lactation Consultant, wife and mother of three.

204 Comments

  1. This article is really informative for expecting moms. I liked how you compared different prenatal vitamins, but I’m curious about how important it is to choose food-based vitamins over synthetic ones. Do doctors usually recommend one type over the other? Also, for those of us with specific genetics like the MTHFR mutation, it’s helpful to know about customized options. Wondering if little things like the time of day can impact absorption too? Looking forward to hearing more about that side of prenatal supplements.

    Reply

  2. What would you recommend for breastfeeding moms? I like your brand but it has a peppermint leaf in it and it’s lowering your breastmilk supply which I do not want to happen… Thank you.

    Reply

  3. I take the My Kind Organics Once a Day formula, have with all three of my pregnancies. I like the one pill a day, other natural one’s you have to take two or THREE! Which just makes me feel sick and I would forget a lot more often.

    Reply

  4. Thoughts on the new needed prenatal multivitamin?

    Reply

  5. Hi Team,

    I had the same question about other supplements. I’m 6 weeks into my first, do you have any suggestions on other supplements I should be considering in addition to the the Prenatal multi?

    For instance, over and above the Pre, should we have a certain dose of Iron, Vitamin D, B-complex, etc.?

    Thanks, I really appreciate the help.

    june

    Reply

  6. Hi Lisa,

    I’d stay away from CO and Persona. I used those services before, prior to my pregnancy. A friend of mine who’s a pharmacist says they usually have lowr than clinical doses, they charge you more, and their qulaity is iffy.

    Just my 2 cents.

    June

    Reply

  7. My kind organics actually updated their formula and only supply 67% of iron and 50% iodine. I still take these. They work good for me.

    Reply

  8. During pregnancy, a mother is no longer an individual, and hence, even the amount of nutrition that she needs increases manifold times. I have researched many blogs and I found the Best prenatal vitamins also in the Parenthoodbliss blog.

    Reply

  9. Hello, thank you for this information. I am looking for some information on the Naturelo brand prenatal. How does it compare?

    Reply

  10. For women with MTHFR-Baby and Me 2 has methyl folate. This seems to be the best prenatal without synthetic vitamins as far as I can see.

    Reply

  11. I’m confused, because the folate shown in the image of New Chapter says 600 mg but you say it’s too low, but then say Garden of Life is good because it has 600 mg? Is this a typo? It’s kind of a moot point, since, like others, I’m super annoyed that New Chapter started using folic acid along with folate. Boo! But just confirming that 600 is actually the recommendation?!

    Reply

    • I have heard that 600mcg is the recommended amount of folate during pregnancy. For women with the MTHFR defect 2000mcg of methyl folate is recommended. Folate is super important to take during pregnancy, so I recommend women getting tested for MTFR to know which form of folate to take. 🙂

      Reply

  12. Hi!

    I was wondering if anyone knows of any product brands that sell just folic acid (or preferably folate). My doctor recommended 1000mcg and said that any brand should be fine but, to ensure I get that dosage.

    I am trying to find a reputable brand.

    Thanks for your help!
    Ayoola

    Reply

    • Hello, I used folate 2000mcg by Solgar

      Reply

    • I am using the Now brand.

      Reply

  13. Hi! Thanks for this post. I am wondering if you can help me with a question as it relates to Vitamin A. can pregnant women still eat foods rich in vitamin a while taking the seeking health prenatal since it has 50% of preformed A? I have been taking it and am 6 Weeks but I also eat 1-2 eggs daily for extra Choline since seeking health has just 250 (and slid because it’s so good for you) I also eat dairy and animal protein daily and plenty of vitamin a from veggies . I don’t do liver or cod liver oil but only because I’m afraid due to the amount in seeking health. Hope it’s ok to have been eating the food sources of vitamin A I’ve mentioned!

    Reply

  14. Very curious on your opinion of Actif brand as well! It seems to be a whole food prenatal. Would appreciate any insight on this brand/product. Thank you!

    Reply

  15. Natures Plus- Source of Life, what I take, was in the first photo but not reviewed? Has it been removed? Would love a quick review. I have done well with it and it’s affordable. Thank you so much for your help!!

    Reply

  16. Thanks for sharing about Ritual, Lisa! I just checked them out and ordered my first shipment. I have been taking Smarty Pants PhD prenatal, but it makes me nauseous, and have been wanting to switch.

    Reply

  17. I take Garden of Life prenatals – but wanted to mention something my midwife pointed out. Once a day vitamins are convenient for sure – but they are packed with too many nutrients for your body to absorb all at once. You simply excrete what you can’t use at the time, so it’s better to take vitamins that are spread throughout the day, for optimum absorption. Garden of Life makes a prenatal that is taken three times a day – which is what I’m taking now, and I feel energized and healthy – much better than when I was on a once a day formula.

    Reply

  18. I’m looked up Lab door research on Thorne prenatal and found nothing? I’m confused, I can’t find them reviewing even one Thorne vitamin. Where do I find the info about B6 being lower then stated or did they change it?

    Reply

  19. Unfortunately, “Garden of Life” was bought by Nestle in 2017 so their formula has change and apparently added Vitex to their formula.

    Reply

  20. Any idea about Full Circle prenatal ???

    Reply

  21. P.S. Is the Baby & Me Multivitamin by Innate Response Formulas the “new” MegaFood Baby & Me prenatal supplement?

    Reply

  22. —–Folate info—–11/27/19

    Hello Wise Mamas!

    Obviously the best way to get our vitamin B9 is from whole foods. And some high-folate foods include asparagus, avocados, Brussels sprouts, beets, legumes, and leafy greens.
    However, I don’t always eat these things every day, ergo supplements to ensure adequate intake! I’ve read Quatrefolic (6S)-5-methyltetrahydrofolate AKA 5 MTHF is the best form, what you want. Can anyone verify? There’s a lot of info out there (and opinions) but they’re all different… and sometimes contradictory… I just don’t know what to believe!

    Love,
    Another avid label reader

    Reply

  23. I am new to your site, but what a wealth of information! I am wondering if you have any suggestions for reputable supplement companies in Europe. We live outside the US temporarily and am struggling to find good information. Thanks!

    Reply

    • What do you think about Terranova prenatals? It is the only non folic acid one I can find in Europe. Great post. Thanks

      Reply

  24. Just bought the Garden of Life My Kind and it’s a three-a-day prenatal! ?? Unless I misunderstood what you wrote, that should be corrected. I bought that kind because you mentioned that it’s a once a day formula. :/ Actually, I just found the problem. It’s linked to the wrong formula.

    Reply

  25. Hello,
    I was wondering if anyone has experience with Pure Encapsulations Prenatal Nutrients? Also what are thoughts on the professional brands of prenatals, ie Designs for Health, Thorne, etc. ?

    Reply

  26. Is there a reason Rainbow Light is no longer suggested on your prenatal vitamins list?

    Reply

    • The formula was changed after the company was purchased by Nestle.

      Reply

      • Is it no longer a whole food vitamin?

        Reply

  27. Have you done any research into Pink Stork? What are your thoughts on their products?

    Reply

    • Great question. I was wondering the same thing. Also about Ritual.
      Specially in relation to women with the MTHFR mutation.

      Reply

  28. Hello!!! I want to start taking a prenatal vitamin because i would like to look for a baby soon. I waned to know what are your thoughts on MAMA BIRD prenatal from best nest wellness and there DHA one fish two fish?

    Thank you

    Reply

    • I am wondering the same thing about Mama Bird prenatal!

      Reply

  29. I love all of your information on which vitamins to take. I can’t agree more to only put the best in our bodies for ourselves and baby.

    Reply

  30. Hello,
    Probably a stupid question, but is there a danger of overdosing on vitamins and minerals when you take prenatal? Even a natural one? Especially if you are eating say 4ozs of beef liver and also 4ozs of pork heart in the same day? The only reason I would have two organs in one day is because organs are cheaper than muscle meats and I want to make sure baby and I both get what we need. I just want to know if it is safe to have prenatal and also eat the organ meats.

    Reply

    • If you’re sticking to the recommended daily values in your vitamins, it shouldn’t be an issue. You could run your diet and multivitamin intake by a nutritionist and see what they suggest.

      Reply

  31. Has anyone tried Metagenics prenatal? It came highly recommended from several Naturopaths. I am wondering how it stacks up to all the others listed here? Thanks!

    Reply

    • Yes! That is what I took with my first child. I liked it, it didn’t have a funky smell or taste so it was easy to get down. This time I am taking the Ritual prenatal as I prefer lesser pills per day.

      Reply

      • I was looking into ritual, I’m wondering if they help with nausea at all or make it worse?

        Reply

  32. I am always looking for a more complete once daily food-based prenatal that’s safe for MTHFR. I just found Actif Organic, and I like that it has zinc and some calcium and magnesium. I have been taking MyKind Organics and really like their easy to swallow once daily prenatal but it doesn’t have enough zinc or any mangesium or calcium. Actif even has some DHA in it (although not quite the recommended dose). Other complete once daily prenatals with methylated B12 and folate are The Honest Company and Mama Bird. Can’t tell if those are actually food-based. I always recommend taking more vitamin D than most prenatals have (or taking high quality cod liver oil) and a K complex or butter oil. Thorne has a nice vitamin D and K liquid that gives you adequate dosing in a few drops and is one of the few with MK-4 in it (crosses the placenta), so I will probably supplement with that. Anybody have any input on Actif Organic Prenatal?

    Reply

  33. Looks excellent. Food based, methylated forms of B12 and folate, pretty complete vitamin and mineral content. i LOVE that it has MK-4 in the vitamin K complex. That’s uncommon in a prenatal vitamin and is the form that crosses the placenta. Only downside looks like taking 4 of them daily. As with most, you need to supplement with DHA.

    Reply

    • Would say it’s better than Thorne?

      Reply

  34. Thank you for this list!! I wanted to update you that New Chapter now contains FOLIC ACID – which as you know, is not recommended at all for pregnant women. They have switched out their formula and there is no “update” so most of us who used to use it, are suddenly surprised by the switch. Please update your list if able:) I know lots of mamas visit your site for guidance.

    Reply

  35. What are your thoughts on Ritual prenatal vitamins? Would love to know!

    Reply

    • I am wondering the same thing!

      Reply

    • I’m wondering the same as I’ve been taking Ritual prenatals for the last few months.

      Reply

    • Looks like high quality, useable forms, and good quantity of the vitamins included. I like that it has zinc, iodine, and iron, DHA, higher quantity of vitamin D than most, and methylated folate and B12. Is missing zinc, insufficient in magnesium (most prenatals are), and doesn’t include all the B vitamins. I think if you like it, keep taking it and add magnesium and zinc and a methylated B complex. You have to add something to almost every prenatal vitamin to get complete vitamin and mineral support. A lot don’t have DHA and almost none have sufficient magnesium or calcium since they are big minerals.

      Reply

  36. In the ever changing vitamin industry…..I’ve heard NewChapter has been bought out. Food Code now owned by Nestle…..curious if this list has been updated recently? As a “all natural home birth midwife” who advises a non GMO diet preferably as LOCAL and organic as possible….and avoiding synthetics….I used to rx NewChapter…then Baby & Me…..then Food Code….all seem to have been recently bought up and ingrediants not reliable. What do you know on the latest?

    Reply

    • I am taking naturelo, apparentely is the only fopd based prenatal that is not owned by a big Corporation nowadays…

      Reply

    • As far as what I’ve researched, the formulas haven’t changed since they’ve been bought out but, that could obviously change at any time. The only thing we can do is check labels constantly to make sure things remain the same.

      Reply

  37. I have one of the main two mthfr gene mutations and take the seeking health prenatal. I’m not pregnant yet, trying, but I’m wondering about the iron supplement you recommend Blood Builder since I’ve always had low iron/ferretin levels. Blood Builder says it has actual folate in it, yet is the kind that a person with a gene mutation can absorb and convert? Also is it possible to have TOO MUCH folate? Could this type of folate counteract the methylated version in Seeking Health? I haven’t seen any substantive literature on this.

    Reply

    • My understanding is that “folate” in a supplement is most likely folic acid (the kind not useable by someone with MTHFR issues), unless explicitly stated otherwise. I believe this is because folic acid is much cheaper for manufacturers than the other (methylated) forms of folate. It’s a concern, because folic acid in some (many people) will actually hinder uptake or creation of the useable form of folate. I took Blood Builder in the past for prenatal anemia, but have switched over to Seeking Health Optimal Iron Plus Cofactors to avoid the likely presence of folic acid in Blood Builder. And my understanding is that if you are over-methylating (consuming or creating too much active folate) you may feel edgy/irritable/have difficulty falling asleep at night, etc. Please take this with a grain of salt, I am not a professional, just a fellow mama.

      Reply

  38. I recently purchased Zahler’s Prental because I have the MTHFR mutation and based on what I found I thought it would be the best option. I was horrified to realize that the severity of my “pregnancy symptoms” were in fact due to the vitamin! My severe nausea and fatigue were being caused by it. It was so bad I due to being unable to eat normal food I ended up on protein shakes and was still miserable. I was horribly bloated, constipated and constantly sick. The gas build up was so bad and would make the the nausea that much worse. I ended up losing over 10lbs in 2 weeks. I became suspicious due to the timing…I would become severely sick after an hour or so of taking my vitamin with food. After reading through more reviews on Amazon, some of them are within the last few months (Oct ’18 – Jan ’19), that were describing exactly what I was going through I decided to switch back to the vitamins I had been on prior to ordering the Zahler’s when I first discovered I was pregnant. I didn’t take the 2nd dose upon deciding to test it and felt substantially better that evening already, the following morning I switched back to the previous vitamins and had some nausea throughout the day but was 3x better. I went from not being able to get out of bed due to the nausea to returning to my usual routine! I’m planning on asking my doctor about why the vitamin may have caused this reaction on my first appointment (I’m 9 weeks currently). I’ve questioned that it might be the DHA because I’m currently taking that separately now and I have nausea earlier in the day but not when I take my 2nd prenatal vitamin in the evening, but that DHA is actually a higher dosage too so I’m not really sure it’s that or that combined with the combination of vitamins in Zahler’s. I have seen other reviews mention that the dosages are likely too high or the combination of iron and idodine at those levels might also be the cause (via their OBGYN’s input). I have also seen that during mid last year they had reformulated the vitamin to Folic Acid. The ones I purchased were the Folate (Quatrofolate), but perhaps if they switched the formula again to be MTHFR suitable they did something else that is affecting consumers adversely since there are other people that have experienced the same thing I have.

    Separate Note: To the Author, you might want to more thoroughly check reviews and ingredient lists before you recommend MTHFR specific supplements to others. I found your blog because I’m trying to find a good permanent a replacement for Zahler’s after my experience. Besides the disastrous experience I had with Zahler’s, I found that the Thorne’s Research also had consumers describing the same adverse symptoms as the Zahler’s, and the Seeking Health vitamins apparently contain a substance “know to cause birth defects!” No thank you….

    Reply

  39. My concern is the amount of vitamins and minerals mentioned. If it was completely whole food then how would you know the exact amount of, say, vitamin A that went into the bottle. I suppose it’s going to vary from bottle to bottle..because there’s no way 100gms of carrots will always have the exact same amount of vitamin A?

    What if they are using synthetic vitamins and minerals and adding whole food components too with it? Maybe they’re not completely whole food prenatals as they claim to be?

    Reply

  40. Hey thanks for the helpful article. While doing my own research on brands wanted to add that formulas for MegaFood brand have changed and you should update your info. It appears Baby and Me now contains both folate and folic acid ? while Baby and Me 2 contains active B6 and methylated folate and B12, yay! It seems though if you do an amazon or google search to buy a botte, you may not be sold an updated version, so be aware of discrepancies. See their website to confirm. Thrive market seems to be carrying update versions FYI for those interested.

    Reply

  41. After reading this post, I chose the Mega Food Baby & Me, having understood that it was an entirely food-based vitamin. After speaking with my local health store, I realized that Mega Food actually starts with a synthetic vitamin and cultures it in food – not what I was looking for! I opted for Garden of Life MyKind Organics and have loved them. The gummies are delicious (they down much easier than 4 Mega Food tablets) and are made without sugar, animal gelatin and other additives. Definitely higher quality than Baby & Me and I would highly recommend.

    Reply

    • Hi there!
      Could you please share the link of the prenatal from Garden of life which you just mentioned and do you know if that prenatal has DHA in it?

      Thanks in advance,
      Ria

      Reply

      • If you google Garden of Life MyKind Organics Prenatal you will find it. I also take this one, and like it a lot, easy to get down and comes in a once daily formula. It does not contain DHA – a lot of food based vitamins don’t. You need to add a DHA supplement or high quality cod liver oil. This one also does not have magnesium and has insufficient zinc.

        Reply

  42. Hi Genevieve and team,

    Thank you for the informative article. I am looking for some advice here. After reading your article I wanted to try the Megafood Baby&Me Herbal free version but as it wasn’t available so tried the Baby&Me 2, which did not suit me. So can you please advice on which other food base herb free prenatal I can pick?

    Thanks in advance,
    Ria

    Reply

    • MyKind Organics is just food, not herbs, although holy basil and moringa are used for some of the nutrients and are technically herbs.

      Reply

  43. I use Liquid Health’s Liquid Pre-natal Multi-vitamin. It has been great for me!

    Reply

  44. FYI baby and me original formula no longer has folate, it has folic acid. It’s decieiving because it says folate on the left and then from folic acid on the right in parenthesis.

    Reply

  45. Help! Could really use some guidance, Mama Natiral

    I’ve always taken the Baby and Me. I did so for both this and my last pregnancy. I didnt initially realize I purchased the baby and Me 2 till much after the fact. Meaning I’ve been doubling on the dose for possibly a month, hopefully only two weeks. I spoke with my doctor and my father in-law who is a CMO (and a doctor) and both were not concerned, just basically told me now I know not to do that. I’m still worried about my little guy. I’m 16 weeks. I’m hoping since this is a whole food vitamin it’s been less harmful.

    Xx

    Not sleeping Mama!

    Reply

  46. FYI the Blood Builder product seems to contain folic acid, not folate which is safe for MTHFR. Please let me know if I am wrong but this is what I found after researching the product. Thought it would be important to correct that since it is suggested under the MTHFR supplement recommendations.

    Reply

  47. Vitamin code raw contains Vitex…is this safe? It’s only 4 mg which is nothing but this still concerns me…I’m surprised nothing was said about this.

    Reply

  48. Have you looked at Naturelo, which seems to be a new one to the market but claims to be food-based and uses methylfolate?

    Reply

    • I meant, “Has anyone… looked at Naturelo….”. I am curious what others think of its quality.

      Reply

      • I went with Naturelo after Garden of Life got bought out by Nestle. The ingredients seem good after researching several brands and rejecting many because they did not have food based ingredients or folate, but the taste was horrible (which I’ve heard means they are actually doing it right because they aren’t adding extra stuff to sweeten), and I’m postpartum, so if taste and gagging is an issue while pregnant you may not be able to take them. They are in capsules, but can still smell and taste the powder inside rather strongly. Since I’ve run out of them I am looking into finding a new brand, who what led me here.

        Reply

    • I’ve been taking Naturelo for about 4 months and I really like it. It doesn’t upset my tummy and I like the fact that it is capsule form, not tablet like many out there. I also went with them after much research and the Vitamin A is low which is great since I already take CLO separately.

      Reply

      • what is CLO ?

        Reply

        • Cod Liver Oil 🙂

          Reply

  49. How much cod liver oil can you take with the baby and me 2 prenatal vitamins?

    Reply

  50. I have been taking Honest Company’s Whole food based prenatal and prenatal dha vitamins. Are these good quality or should I switch to something else?

    Reply

  51. You show the Nature’s Plus Source of Life prenatals in the photo, but don’t discuss these in the post. Any thoughts on this prenatal?

    Reply

  52. Hey Mama Natural! I adore you! Would love to hear your take on Smarty Pants prenatal. I love them and recommend them to my clients because of how clean the ingredients are and how fun they are to take (especially those who struggle with swallowing pills or are dealing with belly issues from their prenatal). Any insight on your end would be appreciated!

    Reply

  53. I have been taking garden of life raw prenatal for about 4 years now and they just recently got bought by nestle so I feel they are no longer a respectable company and I think they should be taken off this list. I will never buy from them again.

    Reply

    • I was just going to mention that Nestle bought Garden of Life as well. Would definitely consider adding that bit of information in your post!!

      Reply

  54. Hi!! This is such a helpful blog and I just purchased your new book-the week by week pregnancy guide (currently 9.5 weeks pregnant and want to do it right!) I am currently taking Garden of Life prenatal gummies-I love them but they don’t have Iodine, Magnesium or Iron. What are some vegan vitamins that you recommend that have those three? Thanks!!

    Reply

  55. New chapters has synthetic cyanocobalamin so chapter prenatal is not good.

    Reply

  56. I am about to begin taking Naturelo prenatal vitamins. Thoughts, knowledge or advice of this brand please?

    Reply

  57. I had a question about the mega food brand. I was looking on Amazon and I read a comment about the lead issues. Is that something new? Since I’ve read on other sites that this was a good brand. So I just want to be sure before I purchase to make sure I’m making the right decision. Thank you!

    Reply

  58. I use the Garden of Life mykind Organics Prenatal Multi. I really liked them- no heartburn, no constipation.

    Reply

    • I’m going take these as they seem to be the best from what I’ve seen. Any ideas for calcium supplements? I don’t do dairy so having a hard time with this one.

      Reply

  59. After reading the post then I decided I will buy the Baby & Me Vitamin. I like the post very much because it is so useful. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  60. Great article! I am interested in a Pre-natal DHA supplement that does not contain fish. I have a fin-fish allergy. Thank you in advance!

    Reply

    • Juice Plus has a plant based Omega/DHA supplement that I’ve been taking.

      Reply

  61. Hi! I’ve been trying to figure out if the Baby and Me 2 is gluten free? I found one or two place that say it is, but no where in any discription or bottle does it say gluten free :/

    Reply

  62. Did you actually take the Mega Food prenatal 4 times a day? I noticed you mentioned another vitamin recommended 3 times a day and how that could be difficult to keep up with, but you didn’t mention anything anything about taking Mega Food 4 times a day.

    Reply

  63. I’m an RN running an Anticoagulation clinic that involves monitoring and educating patients on “blood thinning” drugs which are affected by Vitamin K. I noticed that you mentioned that Raw Garden of Life prenatal contain lower amounts of Vitamin K. I thought it might be good to point out that there are several types of Vitamin K, the two most prevalent are K1 and K2. K1 comes from sources such as greens and vegetable oils and assist the body in clotting when there’s an injury/bleeding. Vitamin K2 is synthesized by bacteria and is obtained through grass fed meats, dairy, pastured eggs, etc., and is the kind of Vit K that helps with Vitamin D absorption. So, unless the Vit K in the Baby and Me prenatal comes from fermented cabbage (it is listed only as “cabbage,” it is vitamin K1 and not helpful in absorption of Vitamin D. Whereas Raw Garden of Life’s vitamin K source is mk-7 (a form of Vitamin K2). You can also just eat foods like gouda cheese and the other foods I mentioned to get your K2! 🙂

    Reply

    • Thanks. Such a helpful comment!

      Reply

  64. Question for you Mama Natural. Just curious what you think about Plexus multivitamin XFactor and XFactor Pus? I know their vitamins have aloe to help aid in nutrient absorption and I know of many women who use them in place of a prenatal.

    Reply

  65. Thanks for the article. I’m confused though when you said New Chapter Prenatal doesn’t contain RDA for folate, as it contains 600 mcg, which is 150% per serving. This amount is the same with MegaFood Baby & Me 2.

    Reply

  66. Hi! I had a question regarding the prenatals. I really like the Mega Food myself, but it looks like they reformulated it! The Baby & Me 2 no longer has calcium or magnesium in it. Would you still recommend this one?

    Reply

  67. We are planning for a family and I have tried everything under the sun. First a prenatal script which I really liked but I have the Mthfr mutation and can not have folic acid which that prenatal contained. So I tried more natural based vitamins like garden of life and mega foods(non herbal). While taking mega food I had a strange reaction and ended up in the ER from a racing heart. It very well could have been over methylating(if you have the Mthfr mutation this can be an issue). I finally discontinued everything and went back on my Juice Plus and feel great. Juice plus is not a vitamin but whole food based supplement which I have chose to use as a prenatal. I take extra iron, co q/10 and DHA, probiotic, a methyfolate/vitamin D3 script , and continue to have my blood drawn to check my levels with this routine. I feel really good. So for me, my own cocktail of vitamins with real whole foods has been the best approach 🙂 I like the idea of the liver cod oil and will try this as well!

    Reply

    • New Chapter gave me sever heart palpitations, I googled this and it’s semi common. I’m not sure the exact cause, but pretty scary for a vitamin to cause this!!

      Reply

    • I tried Mega Food daily women powder for few days and notice very back headache so stop it and after one month everything back to normal ,I never go around Mega Food for any type of supplements anymore.

      Reply

  68. I’ve been taking Thorne prenatals this time around, but wondering what I should take for a DHA supplement to go with it. I looked at Garden of Life Raw prenatals as well, but then heard they were bought by Monsanto. 🙁

    Reply

    • Greetings!

      @Nicolle. With all due respect,,,I believe it was “New Chapter” that was purchased by Monster-santo “NOT” Garden of Life?? Although no one’s perfect,,,Garden of Life has very high standards!

      Peace 🙂

      Reply

      • Actually it was bought out by Nestle- a huge company that pays into Monsanto.

        Reply

    • As of December 2017 Garden of Life has been purchased by Nestle (not a very ethical company). I am on the search for a new prenatal myself due to this buy-out!! Very disappointing as I loved GoL products!!

      Reply

  69. Any comments on Thornes’ level of Vitamin A? The review of Thorne Basic Prenatal skipped the vitamin A content. I am currently taking Thorne and wondering if I should switch to another. I have read so many confusing things about Vitamin A I really don’t know what to think anymore.

    I plan on adding Rosita cod liver oil. I am 5 weeks pregnant and just found out. I’m happy, but the pregnancy was unplanned and I have not been taking a prenatal or multi. I am also MTFHR postive, one. But luckily have been mostly gluten free for years, so I think my intake of folic acid has probably been on the small to negligible side.

    Reply

    • I want to add to my above post, that if my understanding of Rosita’s Cod Liver Oil is correct, I will be taking 2100-2900 IU of Vitamin A daily. The Thorne Prenatal has 5000IU Vitamin A combined from Beta Carotene and Palmitate. I will be ingesting 8000IU of Vitamin A from supplements alone. I tend to eat healthy (paleo, weston price), but am busy, like most people so I am not sure of my daily intake from food. I believe that I am reaching the upper limits of Vitamin A per day, reaching the point birth defects are cited. (10,000IU).

      For those of you that are taking a prenatal with vitamin A plus a fish oil, were you concerned about this? I am so confused about Vitamin A. One minute I read that Beta Carotene causes birth defects and then a moment later find a site that will say the exact opposite.

      To add to my confusion, Weston Price’s website recommends 20,000IU of Vitamin A daily. I know that they want all of the Vitamins to be from food sources, and I do try, but that is just not possible since I work full-time.

      Reply

      • Wondering if you ever figured this out?

        Reply

      • What prenatal are you taking now and what additional supplements? I’m 9 weeks and can’t figure out what I want to do. Garden of Life, Pure, Rainbow Lite, MegaFood, New Chapter, are all bought out by bug corporations. The brands I’ve been considering are Thorne and Seeking Health but they are not sourced from Whole Foods.

        Reply

  70. I just recently started taking ACTIF organic prenatal vitamins. I researched and found these to be just what I needed. There are a couple of reviews on Amazon that seem alarming about the pills but when I received mine I found them to be great for me. My husband and I are going through IVF and preparing for our first FET… was just wondering if anyone else has taken these vitamins? Thanks in advance!! Be well!

    Reply

    • I’m wondering the same about actif !
      The price is significantly better then some of the other options.. is there a reason for that? I have been alternating between garden of life, vitamin code & megafood.
      I’m in my third trimester with my 4th & last baby but I continue to take the 2 years I nurse.

      Reply

    • It worked great for me! I went through IVF too and used both their prenatal and fertility support. Probably the best thing I’ve done. Had to switch to Actif because I threw up too much with my previous prenatal pills, but this one has no taste and I felt so good after. I got pregnant within only 2 months and continued taking it throughout pregnancy.

      A lot of pills contain fillers that do more harm than good, so that you have to take multiple huge pills per day and they can charge more money. You just have to look for the pill that has exactly what you need (folate, DHA, EPA etc.) Good luck with your journey!

      Reply

  71. So surprised not to see myKind Organics, Garden of Life Prenatal on here! I spent hours researching all the brands of food based pre-natals and that was the one I decided on and I would encourage other mama’s to look into that brand too.

    Reply

    • I picked the my kind organics too after many hours of research. I was debating between that and the vitamin raw code, which is listed in this article. Should I be making the switch?

      Reply

      • I’ve also been taking the MyKind Organics after lots of research – I’ve been taking them for a couple of years by now and love them, immune system, digestive system, etc. are all working great.

        Reply

      • Vitamin raw code contains Vitex which I feel weary of. Any one know a good Calcium supplement to take while pregnant?

        Reply

  72. Great article! I was surprised you didn’t mentioned that MegaFood Baby and Me 2 actually contains Methylated Folate.

    Reply

  73. Hello! I am planning on becoming a new Mama within the next couple of years. I was wondering if I could start taking pre-natal now? Is it safe to do so?

    Reply

    • My doctor told me prenatal vitamins are the best kind to take as a women’s multi vitamin. Been taking them since high school and my obgyn was very happy to hear that I was on them before I got pregnant. She said that it takes about two weeks for some of the vitamins to reach the baby so taking it before I got pregnant was a great idea.

      Reply

  74. I had a question regarding taking the Mega food prenatal you recommended and following the Weston A. Price diet… I am currently trying my best to follow the WP diet so I was wondering if I also took that prenatal if it would be too much when combined? Thanks so much!

    Reply

    • I have been taking cod liver oil, dehydrated liver pills, and standard process folic acid b12 and the Catalyn thats recommended by the Nourishing Traditions baby and child care book, and WP! I was wondering the same. Its getting expensive the standard process supplements and was looking into trying the Megafood prenatal as well. What did you end up deciding to do?

      Reply

  75. If taking a prenatal like the Zahler, should I supplement any vitamins or minerals that don’t have 100% of the daily value? I noticed your comments on that brand were very brief, but they seem low on A, magnesium, calcium, copper, and zinc….. that being said, I think by comparison this might be the best brand for me.

    Reply

  76. Hey! I am 10 months postpartum and am still breastfeeding. Are these recommended for post natal use as well? Would you recommend anything for mamas who need a good multi-vitamin, but don’t want all of the iron in a normal prenatal?

    Reply

  77. I have a 6 month old that I am nursing. What vitamin do you recommend? Did you take pre natals after giving birth too ? For how long ?

    Reply

  78. Great info here! But I was really hoping that Pure Essence and Nature’s Plus prenatals would be included in the comparison, given that they’re in the article’s picture.

    Reply

  79. When I was pregnant I used doterras vitamins… life long vitality. I really love those vitamins! And when I gave birth the doctor commented and how my placenta was beautiful? I thought that was interesting. Do you think there is a connection to the vitamins and foods we eat and it’s impact on the placenta?

    Reply

  80. O.really.want to.become.a mother.for.almost.3years.married we dont have.a.child i really need your help what.should i do,,,,,i visited a OB once. Theres no problem she gave me only.a vit.e but theres nothing happen i think i meed a very effective vitamins to help me concieve please help me….
    Please help me..
    Thank you

    Reply

    • ASk your naturopath or health food consultant about Vitus Agnus Castus (the scientific name for Chaste Berry).
      It can be bought off the shelf or prepared as a tonic for you.
      It is an emmenagogue – so it balances your hormones and periods. It is effective for some women in helping them get the balance right to conceive in a relatively short period – 3- 6 months or less in some cases.
      See what they tell you about that and check out the zinc and other things that could help you if your partners fertility needs a boost. Good luck on your journey.

      Reply

    • My daughter-in-law has just found she is pregnant. Her and hubby had no intention of having another baby. She has been on the Keto Diet for several months and she got pregnant. It is a high (good) fat diet with low carbohydrate intake. She mentioned that many women have gotten pregnant on the Keto diet and men who could not impregnate, were able after being on the diet. Do research on it. It is worth a try. May God bless you with children.

      Reply

    • Chaste Berry for sure. Also try acupuncture, I swear it has helped me tremendously, I’ve been pregnant 3 times. Prior to acupuncture, nothing. Find a good Integrative doctor and get them to run tests on you. Good luck!

      Reply

  81. Hello! First let me say I LOVE all the info on your blog. I recently began taking prenatal vitamins, and I did A LOT of research before I decided to take the Vitamin Code Prentals.

    In your post you referenced that Vit-A in the form of beta-carotene is not good but all the research I’ve done says it is the better form. Could you elaborate on that or link to some other articles? The Vitamin Code prenatals I am taking are pretty high in Vit A and it is the beta-carotene form so I’d love to know more about that topic.

    Thanks SO much!!!

    Reply

  82. I don’t see where these food based prenatal shave dha? Am I missing it?

    Reply

  83. i take my prenatals from myKind Organics with Garden of Life. sister to Vitamin Code (with Garden of Life too) surprised to see it not listed here!

    Reply

  84. Hi,

    I was wondering if it’s safe to take Women’s One A Day prenatal vitamin supplements. I’ll appreciate your response. Thanks.

    Reply

    • I’m sure its safe, you just might not get much from them if they aren’t food based and bio-available.

      Reply

      • Couldn’t agree more–not all vitamins are created equally, both in terms of ingredients and how they are “delivered” to the body for absorption.

        Reply

  85. Do you have a prenatal recommendation that is food-based and DOES NOT CONTAIN IRON? I take that in the third trimester and take spatone. It’s worth the extra money. I don’t want to take cal/mag at the same time as iron, so prefer a multi without it. Thank you, I am having a lot of difficulty finding one.

    Reply

    • Hi! Not sure if you’re interested in taking a gummy vitamin, but Smarty Pants non-gmo gummy prenatals do not contain iron or calcium. They do have a bit of organic cane sugar in them but it’s to offset the omega 3 in the vitamin. Might be worth checking out, I take them and love them. They taste great and spares me from taking 3 separate prenatal + omega + folate vitamins. You can find them on amazon.

      Reply

      • Hi Marisa,

        The only watch-out with gummy vitamins is low bioavailability (ability to absorb nutrients from the supplement). Food-based vitamins are best for this reason, as they are optimally “delivered” in a way that the body naturally recognizes. This leads to greater absorption and assimilation.

        I am the founder of a food-based supplements company (Needed)–our supplements are all in powdered form designed to be blended into food & drinks to ease the pain of swallowing pills. Stay tuned for our launch this fall–we have a prenatal vitamin in the works 🙂

        Reply

        • Hi Julie!

          I just started taking Ritual Prenatals. Is that the company you founded? Do you know why that prenatal is not on this list? Thanks!

          Reply

  86. I see lots of prenatals have Iron and Calcium. Calcium inhibits the absorption of iron in the intestines. Should Iron be taken separately than the prenatal supplement?

    Reply

    • My OB, Midwife and DO all said that if I’ve never tested low for Iron then I shouldn’t supplement it any and stick with the calcium.

      Reply

  87. Can you recommend any prenatal that does not have these synthetic vitamins?

    Reply

  88. When should one start taking pre-natal vitamins?
    ONLY upon finding out about pregnancy? If so, what about before? Aka when stopping using contraception. Thanks!

    Reply

    • If you’re trying to get pregnant it’s totally worth it to start. As soon as you even think you might be pregnant it’s important to start taking them.

      Reply

  89. I started googling for information about natural and non-GMO prenatals, and I wasn’t having much luck. Then I thought about you, and I just knew mama natural would have some good information about this. You helped me make a decision! Thank you!

    Reply

  90. Wish I would have known all this before I got pregnant I’ve been taking county life prenatals my whole pregnancy next pregnancy I’ll definitely be taking something different !!

    Reply

  91. I’m very new to all of this and I have a question about choosing a vitamin. I just found out I’m pregnant and I want to make sure I’m doing everything correctly. I haven’t been to my first prenatal appointment yet, so I don’t know if I have the MTHFR mutation, but I do know that my mother had a stillborn baby whose issues were associated with folic acid. Would it be safe for me to take the MTHFR specific prenatal vitamin, even if I don’t have the mutation? Are there any dangers associated with it if you end up NOT having the mutation? Sorry if that’s a dumb question – this is my first pregnancy and both my husband and I were pretty surprised when those sticks showed up “yes”, so I’m scrambling try to make sure I don’t miss anything in these first critical weeks! TIA! <3

    Reply

    • Hey,
      I don’t see how it could hurt. The type of folate is different. It’s not a Whole Foods supplement so absorbtion would be different. You can also call your on with questions. Always check with them.

      Reply

    • I personally don’t know if they test/screen for it normally. I found out by personally checking my raw data from 23&Me. Might be a good idea to do if you want to have a clearer picture. 🙂

      Reply

  92. Dear Genevieve, I’m successfully exclusively breastfeeding my five month old daughter. My health however is deteriorating and I’d like to up my energy before I start solids at 6 months. Could u please reccomend a good food postnatal supplement as I really need to get some energy to get work done around the house. I’m always tired!! Awaiting your reply x

    Reply

  93. Hello!

    I’m looking at possibly taking Mega Food Baby and Me 2 (Herb Free), but it doesn’t reach the RDA in Folate. You said that you took this vitamin yourself, but did you add any additional folate supplements because it only has 600 mcg of folate.

    Thank you!

    Reply

  94. I was diagnosed with PCOS and premature ovarian failure seven years ago, and was told by my fertility doctor that I had little hope of having baby, and my relatively age (I am 42). I had pretty much given no hope and had nothing to strive or opt for. As a last effort, my mother bought me your ttc herbal and I’m 24weeks gone! Channel:C0040350D
    facebook: oduduwa ajakaye

    Reply

    • I am in the same situation. What TTC product did you take. Thank you very much for reply!

      Reply

  95. What prenatal would you recommend for someone with a high risk pregnancy and cannot have iodine? Thanks!

    Reply

  96. Hi,
    Can you name the cod liver oil and magnesium supplement you were using with MegaFood Baby & Me 2. Anything specific in dosage or brand that i should be looking for while picking one.

    Reply

  97. I have taken New Chapter for over a year now and absolutely love it, but now I am trying to help my sister-in-law who is trying to conceive find a good prenatal. I look at all these great prenatals and want to recommend them to her, but she cannot swallow pills. I’ve been attempting research for a few days and can’t seem to find anything chewable or disolvable that I would feel comfortable recommending made with whole food vitamins. Do you have something you could recommend?

    Reply

    • Garden of Eden’s Raw prenatal is a pill but you can open it up and pour the powder into water or juice. That should help your sister in law.

      Reply

    • I just replied to another comment above about this – not sure if you’re still interested since it’s been a few months but Smarty Pants non-gmo gummy prenatals do not contain iron or calcium. They do have a bit of organic cane sugar in them but it’s to offset the omega 3 in the vitamin. Might be worth checking out, I take them and love them. They taste great and spares me from taking 3 separate prenatal + omega + folate vitamins. You can find them on amazon. Hope this helps!

      Reply

  98. I started taking the Vitamin Code pills you suggested before pregnancy. Now that morning sickness is here in full glory, I cannot even put a pill in my mouth without throwing up. Are there any well balanced chewable vitamins that you recommend?

    Reply

    • During the Functional Nutrition Conference presented at the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in October of 2017 one of the research/MDs presented information related to the root cause of nausea during pregnancy. He was a PhD and MD, he stated it is associated with Molybdenum and B6 deficiency. Without which you build up of sulfites in the blood. Normally the body is able to convert these to sulfate which is easily used by the body or excreted.. So you need more Molybdenum and B6. The RDI for Molybdenum is a fraction of what you actually need in our environment of extremely mineral deficient soils of today. I would consider taking 400-1000mcg. Please if you read this, research and Share

      Reply

    • Hi Kristi,

      This may be a little out of date at this point, hopefully, you’ve already had your baby. If so, congratulations.

      I’m personally about 6 weeks in and taking the Megafood Baby and Me 2. My morning sickness hasn’t been bad (yet – fingers crossed), however, a friend had serious morning sickness from her multis. She tried a bunch all with varying degrees of debilitation until she tried the New Chapter prenatal which seemed to do the trick. She’s near term (about a month to go) now and has been happy with the New Chapter.

      june

      Reply

  99. Are there any food-based prenatals that don’t contain iron? I have pernicious anemia so I already have too much iron. I’ve been taking Seeking Health’s optimal prenatal, though I would really prefer a food-based supplement but haven’t been able to find any 🙁 They may not exist but figured I’d ask in case anyone knew of one!

    Reply

    • Try Garden of Life Mykind Organics Prenatal Gummy Multivitamin, Berry- the don’t have iron (or calcium). They are made from 9 organic fruits and veggies and contain the natural form of each vitamin listed. I really like mine and don’t have problems with nausea after.

      Reply

  100. Hi. I was wondering if you knew anything about the Trader Joe’s Prenatal Vitamins and their B-6/Folic Acid/B-12. I was recently prescribed the nestabs and I’m debating which ones to use. Are Trader Joe’s Prenatal vitamins up to the mark?

    Reply

    • Just an FYI for all you mama’s out there looking for quality prenatals … and vitamins all together. There is a great list of synthetic / poor quality nutrients commonly found in most vitamins. While this can’t tell you exactly what’s in the pill and how it is manufactured, etc …. it can give you a general idea of the quality. The biggest ones, that Genevieve points out as well, are the B6, B12, and Folic Acid/Folate. Avoid the forms found below and look for a product that has B6 in the form of P-5-P, B12 in the form of methylcobalamin (or next best adenosylcobalamin) and I suggest every pregnant woman take the methylated form of folate as L-5-methyltetrahydrofolate.

      Vitamin A: Retinyl Palmitate
      Vitamin B1: Mononitrate or Hydrochloride
      Vitamin B2: Riboflavin
      Pantothenic Acid: Calcium D-Pantothenate
      Vitamin B6: Pyridoxine Hydrochloride
      Vitamin B12: Cyanocobalamin
      PABA: Aminobenzoic Acid
      Vitamin B9 (Folate) : Pteroylglutamic Acid, Folic Acid
      Choline: Choline Chloride, Choline Bitartrate
      Biotin: d-Biotin
      Vitamin C: Ascorbic Acid
      Vitamin D: Irradiated Ergosteral, Calciferol
      Vitamin E: dl-alpha tocopherol (AVOID ALL “DL” FORMS OF VITAMINS)

      Read carefully .. even “whole food” based supplements can contain these inferior forms and poor sources!! I hope this helps some of you as it did for me =)

      Reply

      • Hi Dr. Lauren,
        thank you for this informative information. I am trying to weed poor prenatals and find one suitable for my MTHFR defect. I know I need one that has the methylated B vitamins, but are there any that you like or would recommend that do not contain the poor quality stuff you mentioned above? What did you take when you were pregnant or if you were pregnant 😉 TIA!

        Reply

      • Hello Dr Lauren,

        Have you heard about Naturelo Prenatal Whole Food Vitamin supplement? I was looking through the list of nutrients and many of them say they come from natural sources, but I`m not very sure about its quality since is not mentioned here in this post.
        Thanks
        Karen

        Reply

      • Dear Dr Lauren
        Thanks for your great information but after checking my prenatal I noticed some of B vitamin are in that list.
        could you please recommend any brand ? I search a lot but can not find something that do not have any form of these poor vitamins . at least they have 2- 3 of vitamins in a poor form

        THANK YOU

        Reply

  101. Hi Genevieve, I’m so glad I’ve stumbled upon your website and weekly updates! It’s such a nice alternative to some of the others, even though I appreciate them too. I was wondering what you though about Youngevity? It’s not technically a prenatal, but follows many of the others you listed, in that it’s natural, plant-based/food-based and gives lots of digestible really good vitamins & mineral doses. Just thought I’d ask, as that’s what I’m taking as a natural supplement, but I don’t really know if it’s “missing” anything crucial. I’m taking the Beyond Tangy Tangerine Complete Multi-Vitamin Mineral Complex, Ultimate EFA Plus, and Beyond Osteo-fx (which I’ll have in chewables soon, because the liquid is making me nauseous).

    Thanks! Kati

    Reply

    • I am also considering this product as a prenatal. Would really appreciate feedback. Thanks!!!

      Reply

    • I’m also currently taking Beyond Tangy Tangerine (powder mix) as well as EFAs and Osteo FX. I mix the Osteo liquid with the SlenderFX in the morning with milk and it gets down a lot better. I am 6 weeks but with my first 2 I already was craving chips and sweets at this point. I really think this 3rd time around with already taking these products prior to conception my cravings are way down. And so far I am not sick as I was the first 2 times. Not sure if it’s because of these products taking this time or if it’s the 3rd. I am going to keep up with it though.

      Reply

  102. I am very disappointed in Baby and Me products. After reading these articles, I blindly ordered baby and Me herb free vitamins and to my surprise as I started to read the label, I realized this bottle had the exact list of synthetic vitamins to avoid:
    • Vitamin A: Acetate and Palmitate
    • Vitamin B1 (Thiamine): Thiamine Mononitrate, Thiamine Hydrochloride
    • Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin): Riboflavin
    • Pantothenic Acid: Calcium D-Pantothenate
    • Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine): Pyridoxine Hydrochloride
    • Vitamin B12: Cobalamin
    • PABA (Para-aminobenzoic Acid): Aminobenzoic Acid
    • Folic Acid: Pteroylglutamic Acid
    • Choline: Choline Chloride, Choline Bitartrate
    • Biotin: d-Biotin
    • Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid): Ascorbic Acid
    • Vitamin D: Irradiated Ergosteral, Calciferol
    • Vitamin E: dl-alpha tocopherol, dl-alpha tocopherol acetate or succinate
    The problem is that I ordered full dose for my pregnancy and are being shipped to me to Lithuania. I have no other choice or money left now to replace these vitamins that are on the way. I cant even explain how sad I feel!

    Reply

    • I am also taking MegaFoods Baby&Me and am wondering about the forms of vitamins used in this formula. On the label in this article and on the label on my bottle, there are no details for most vitamins. For example B12 just says Vitamin B12 (4mg S. cerivisiae) 20 mcg. No way of knowing if it is the methyl or cyano form. Daisy, where did you see find the details above? Can anyone provide more information on this product and what the lack of details on the label means? I took it initally as being due to it being from whole foods vs a synthetic version, so it was not just one isolated compound, but now I have my doubts, especialy since I read that there is a lawsuit against Mega Foods because their products are not necessarily truly all from whole foods and they are accused of misleading labelling. I really hope someone can shed some light on this…thanks!

      Reply

  103. Genevieve, which specific magnesium supplement do you recommend?

    Reply

  104. Hi, I am currently looking into prenatal vitamins as we are in TTC mode. I really love all the great things I hear about Mega Food Baby and Me 2 (the new form of the herb free) and I actually started taking it. Then….. I saw something about a lead content. Have you read anything about that? Apparently its normal when it comes to natural foods and whole food based vitamins or supplements. Do you have any insight on this? Maybe I’m just overthinking the whole thing.

    Reply

  105. Hi there,
    I had a quick question for you regarding the VITAMIN A, VITAMIN E, BETA-CAROTENE in the MegaFoods prenatals. As a matter of fact they are added in almost every brand of prenatal that I have come across but they have also been a little controversial. I had used Dr.Fuhrman’s Gentel Prenatals and he very strictly opposes the above (I supplemented the missing Folate separately). I want to try a different brand for my next pregnancy but this Vit-A controversy is hard to get by. Any opinion you would like to share.

    Thankyou.
    RT

    Reply

    • And nuts and seeds give you all the E you need. You were smart to go with the Fuhrman brand and then just supplement with folate if you are not consuming enough beans and greens. Dr. Fuhrman has tested many nutritarian preganancies and not one was deficient in folate.

      Reply

  106. Pure synergy is another really good food based prenatal. I love it..it has folate & a good dose of d3 & k2.

    Reply

    • Good call! They have great products.

      Reply

  107. I have been taking a Prenatal that is not listed on here and it was developed for moms-to-be. I’d love to hear your research on them and if you think others would’ve a better option.
    Emerald Laboratories Co-enzyme prenatals with probiotics

    Reply

    • I take this kind too.

      Reply

  108. Hi, I have been taking a Prenatal plus DHA complete supplement made by Buried Treasure. I picked it up at a Whole Foods store b/c it was my only option for getting folate instead of folic acid. Is this supplement okay?

    Reply

  109. Hi mamanatural! I take new chapter perfect prenatal, vitamin d3 (5000iu), Nordic naturals fish oil due to the high dha (450), folbic which is a prescription folic acid given to be after 2 miscarriages I had before I had my first baby, and a baby aspirin (also given due to the miscarriages ). This coctail gave me a beautiful healthy baby girl, and when we decided it was time for number 2, I got pregnant right away again and I’m currently 7 weeks. I also stayed on the new chapters, fish oil, and vitamin d while breastfeeding my daughter until she was 17 months, only stopping because they encouraged it so I can take progesterone to help support my pregnancy. All in all I love my pregnancy coctail but will probably find a different coctail for when I’m done with having babies and breastfeeding! Thanks for all of your great work, I’ve followed you for years!

    Reply

  110. I need your advice.. I’m 13 weeks pregnant (first time young mom) and still can not take my vitamin code raw prenatals, I tried it so many different ways (at night, middle of the night, breakfast and lunch) it still makes my stomach swell up with gas and pain.. My doctor just told me to take folic acid straight and that hurts my stomach even more. I am on zofran because I have hyperemesis gravadarium.. Anything off-putting (food or smell wise) makes me so ill. Worried the baby isn’t getting enough vitamin while trying to keep food down. Any recommendations?

    Reply

    • I hope that you have found your solution by now. I would recommend changing brands to see if that helps. I have tried Vitamin Code’s general multivitamin and their probiotic previously (not during pregnancy), and both times had the gastro- issues that you describe, including feeling nauseous almost constantly. My doc suspects that I was allergic/intolerant to something in their standard blend.

      Reply

    • Can you find a liquid one? Or you can put pills in smoothie and dissolve. Hope you feel better soon!

      Reply

    • Folic acid is not good for you- even if you don’t have the mthfr mutation bus especially if you do- I’d highly recommend a different approach for folate. especially with everything else you are dealing with. So sorry about the HG. I know seeking health makes a phenomenal prenatal which is mentioned above, I’ve tried several on this list and theirs is far and away the best I’ve tried. Energy levels, mood and everything really improved for me just from this prenatal. They even make a version that is incorporated into protein powder if you cannot take pills. This may be worth a try? And in general, capsule supplements absorb better than tablets so find a good quality capsule and you can empty it into a small smoothie if you are able to keep that down. Good luck!!

      Reply

    • You can open the vitamin and put the contents in a smoothie or juice

      Reply

  111. I started off just taking a multi vitamin for shaklee (as it seemed to have the vitamins and minerals as most prenatals) and folate, and for the most part felt fine. Only slightly nauseous when hungry. Recently though, a doula I go to church with recommended mykind organics, a certified organic whole food prenatal multi by Garden of Life. I haven’t felt sick yet since taking it.

    Reply

  112. Hi mama natural, could I get your opinion on using juice plus as a prenatal and adding in and extra b complex with it? I’m actually a distributor of juice plus,but I haven’t ordered any in a while and now that I’m pregnant I’m thinking of using juice plus as my prenatal. Have you ever researched juice plus before?I would love to hear your take on this supplement!

    Reply

    • Oh and I I also wanted to get your opinion on young living fish oils and thier supplements, do you recommend them?I know the essential oils are awsome!

      Reply

    • I take juice plus the green and red ones and am pregnant. There’s research on jusce plus and pregnancy. I got it from my distributor. I take 3 of each instead of the regular 2 daily to be sure I have enough folate. I also take plexus products and a calcium and alfalfa. I wasn’t comfortable just being on juice plus alone but I know women who have.

      Reply

  113. With a little deeper research, you’ll see that these food based vitamins are the SYNTHETIC forms of vitamins put in a bath of veggie powder and probiotics and pressed into a capsule. Synthetic vitamins taken with food and probiotics (or simply rely on the trillions of probiotics in our gut) are the exact same thing. The only true food based vitamins are food. Powdered food supplements. Unfortunately this one of the biggest marketing scams in the supplement world. I’m all for supplementing when needed, I’m just opposed to sneaky marketing lies.

    Reply

    • You hit the nail on the head, Sarah! I was shocked when my research found the same things you did. I was trained for years to tell everyone the food based supplements were superior …
      It is so dis-heartening (not to mention harmful!) what marketing can do. And it makes it super confusing to know what is best and who to trust. I thin Genevieve has done such an awesome job with researching products and all her info. Im so happy I found Mama Natural!

      Reply

    • Hi Sarah!
      Which prenatals would you recommend? I was looking into the Naturelo prenatals? Whats your take on them?
      Thanks!

      Reply

    • Your statement is completely false. Juice Plus is Organic/non GMO. My family has been taking it for over five years and they NEVER get sick. I truly believe that Juice Plus has helped build their immune systems. You can’t rely on google to educate you. You need to go the source. Oh and by the way. I’m a nutritionist and work in holistic health so i’m not just throwing up on this feed Namaste

      Reply

  114. I just finished ordering my own blend of vitamins. I’m 7months pregnant and have been taking New Chapter vitamins which are easy to digest on an empty stomach. But after doing a lot of vitamin/nutrient research I found I couldn’t find any one prenatal that I was happy with the ingredients of and so I am making my own blend. A methylated B complex, a multi mineral, a fish oil supplement, and a few others on top. I’m super excited to see if they give me more energy and how I do! I found the book “the real vitamin and mineral book” to be super informative on navigating the world of supplements, though it does not contain everything you might want to know.

    Reply

    • Could you let me know what you ended up making? What ingredients and the sources of them?

      Reply

  115. I was wondering about this very thing today!
    When is the best time to start taking a prenatal? When trying to conceive or once pregnant?
    Thanks!

    Reply

  116. Hey MN, I think you need to make a distinction between food-based vitamins, and whole food vitamins. I believe there are FDA regulations for labeling with those phrases. My understanding is that in order to be food-based, only 5% of the vitamins have to be food-based, whereas whole food vitamins (MegaFood and New Chapter are the only ones I know of) must be 100% based on food.
    Thanks for the article, great info!

    Reply

    • Garden of Life Mykind Organics is 100% whole food (organic, non-GMO, gluten/soy/dairy-free).

      This is the one I am going to get, after a lot of research. It also does not contain magnesium stearate (for the coating), which is a bonus. It came number one for prenatals on Labdoor (which is not why I chose it but it was reassuring to know that they were independently checked).

      It, however, does NOT contain choline or a methylated form of folate so I am ordering these separately (for a choline supplement without magnesium stearate, I found one from Nested Naturals and I will get my L-5-MTFH from Seeking Health). It does not contain copper either but I eat beef liver every week. For DHA, I take cod liver oil (Rosita) every day (which also covers omega 3s, vitamin D, etc.)

      I just wanted to give my own prenatal “blend” solution if this can help anyone. I know I freaked out a month ago when I saw all the options. It takes a bit of time to find something that works, we’re all different so do your research and talk to your doctor, friends…

      FYI, I realised that Megafood relies heavily on brewer’s yeast as their main whole food ingredient…

      Reply

      • Hi Elle,

        Since Garden of Life Mykind Organics Prenatal Multi already has 800 mcg of folate and you are adding L-5-MTFH from Seeking Health, will you be taking a total of 1600 mcg of folate? I used to take Garden of Life Mykind Organics Multi and loved them, then I found out I needed to take a multi with L-5-MTFH so my naturopath reccommended I take Seeking Health Optimal Multi, but I do not like that they are not whole food based. And now that I want to get pregnant am stuck since I need the L-5-MTFH, but want a whole food based multi. Searching for that combo, 100% whole food vitamin with L-5-MTFH.

        Reply

        • Hi Christina! This is the exact situation I am in and I am trying to find the solution! Did you come across anything that worked?? I’m feeling very overwhelmed by all the options out there and all the information. My nutritionist suggested Seeking Health Optimal Prenatal as well, but I don’t like that it’s not food-based. Thanks!

          Reply

  117. I shamelessly took gummies that I purchased at Whole Foods. I couldn’t swallow a pill to save my life. I got my blood tested several times through out asking the doctor to test for deficiencies since I have an auto immune disease that sometimes makes me anemic as well as vitamin D deficient. Turns out I was fine with just the basic gummies. It’s also important to be uber tenacious and choose your foods based on nutrients. I never got cravings, so I could plan accordingly. Like eating a tin of sardines and hunk of cheese instead of chowing down on something yucky.

    Reply

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