Attempting to get all the vital vitamins and minerals you need by eating nutrient-dense foods alone could be rather challenging, especially if you are pregnant or still trying to conceive. Chances are that at this important juncture in your life, you're completely invested in both supporting you and your infant's health. Of course, you can resume with your current standard multivitamin, but the physicians here want you to consider taking a high-quality prenatal vitamin.
According to Dr. Thomas Ruiz, MD, a good quality prenatal vitamin is designed to fill any major gaps in your daily diet, and also ensures that all essential nutrients your infant requires to grow healthy are absolutely present in your body while you are pregnant.
"Most women," says Dr. Tiffany Woodus, MD, "simply do not consume enough of the key nutrients that been shown to give babies the best possible start in life."
Research studies have long proven that prenatal malnutrition, especially deficiencies in both vitamins A and E, causes horrifying defects in the offspring of humans and animals, such as blindness and physical deformities.
According to Dr. Weston A. Price, he states that prenatal injuries are "caused by parental vitamin and mineral deficiencies, before and at the time of fertilization. These affect the germ cells, thereby producing a defective fertilized ovum and defective fetus." He further adds that these prenatal injuries include:
- hare-lip
- cleft palate
- narrow hips
- narrow face
- constricted nostrils
- mental backwardness
- juvenile delinquency
- skull defects of the face and the floor of the brain
- brain defects
- mongoloidism (type of mental deficiency)
- idiocy
Protect your future baby from potential birth defects by taking one of the prenatal vitamins recommended by physicians.
Best Overall Prenatal Vitamin
One A Day Prenatal
Pros: OB/GYNS widely recommend; large variety of key nutrients
Cons: Some people dislike the smell or taste
Why Do Physicians Recommend It
You can't possibly go wrong taking One A Day's prenatal vitamins. The supplement contains huge doses of very important nutrients, and even extras such as DHA, vitamin B6, and around 12% of your RDA for calcium. The well-rounded formula is available in only one daily soft gel, making it very convenient, especially for busy moms-to-be.
Size: 30 to 60 soft gels per bottle
Serving Size: 1 soft gel daily
Get 20% off with this coupon code: FGI5183
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$21.33 at iHerb
Best Value Prenatal Vitamin
Nature Made Prenatal Multi + DHA
Pros: Contains a broad variety of essential nutrients in high quantities
Cons: A bigger pill than other prenatal brands
Why Do Physicians Recommend It
Nature Made has packed these prenatal vitamins with all the vital nutrients you need, and in greater amounts. They're particularly rich in DHA, iron, vitamin D, and folate, and contains 12% of the RDA for calcium as well. The more attractive price tag does not hurt either, especially if you consider all the prenatal vitamins you'll be taking during your pregnancy.
Size: 90 soft gels per bottle
Serving size: 1 soft gel per day
Coupon Code
Get 20% off with this coupon code: FGI5183
(Apply coupon code at checkout.)
$29.15 at iHerb
Best Vegetarian Prenatal Vitamin
Garden of Life Vitamin Code Raw Prenatal
Pros: Contains probiotics and more than 20 organically grown ingredients
Cons: Doesn't contain DHA; serving size is bigger than other brands at 3 capsules daily
Why Do Physicians Recommend It
Garden of Life prenatals have earned a favorable reputation for using whole plant foods that provide an impressive list of key nutrients such as 1,400 IU of vitamin D and 800 mcg of folate. In addition, they contain vitamin B6 and even a little of ginger to help ease potential morning sickness. Since these prenatals don't contain calcium and DHA, be sure to ask your doctor about taking separate supplements.
Size: 30 to 180 capsules per bottle
Serving size: 3 capsules per day
Coupon Code
Get 20% off with this coupon code: FGI5183
(Apply coupon code at checkout.)
$32.19 at iHerb
Best Prenatal Vitamin with Organic Ingredients
New Chapter Advanced Perfect Prenatal Multivitamins
Pros: Formulated with organic ingredients; effective for combatting nausea
Cons: Doesn't contain DHA; must take 3 tablets daily
Why Do Physicians Recommend It
New Chapter's kosher prenatals are formulated with organic herbs and vegetables and are 100% vegetarian. They also contain 27 mg of iron, which are gentle enough to be taken on an empty stomach. Moreover, they contain a decent amount of calcium.
Size: 48 to 270 vegetarian tablets per bottle
Serving size: 3 tablets per day
Coupon Code
Get 20% off with this coupon code: FGI5183
(Apply coupon code at checkout.)
$30.11 at iHerb
Best Prenatal Vitamin for Folic Acid
Thorne Basic Prenatal
Pros: Contains more folate than other brands; and great option for women who do not consume enough leafy greens
Cons: 3 capsules must be taken daily
Why Do Physicians Recommend It
OB/GYN Dr. Felice Gersh, MD, loves this prenatal since it contains much more folate as compared to other vitamins, making it a great choice for women who are not getting enough leafy green vegetables in their daily diet. "This is also high in vitamin D," says Dr. Gersch, "and provides a healthy blend of calcium citrate and malate, though it does take three capsules daily to get these amounts."
Size: 60 to 90 capsules
Serving size: 3 capsules per day
Coupon Code
Get 20% off with this coupon code: FGI5183
(Apply coupon code at checkout.)
$29.00 at iHerb
Best Prenatal Gummy Vitamin
Smarty Pants Prenatal Gummy
Pros: Contains a broad variety of important nutrients
Cons: Doesn't contain any iron
Why Do Physicians Recommend It
These prenatal gummies from Smarty Pants are fully loaded with all the essential nutrients that mothers-to-be need and is as comparable as top capsule and tablet-filled bottles.
These gummies contain vitamins B23 and D3 for energy and optimally functioning immune system, plus folate for proper fetal development. Besides these gummies being packed with 18 vital nutrients, they're non-GMO and third-party lab tested to guarantee its contents are viable.
Size: 120 gummies
Serving size: 4 gummies daily
Coupon Code
Get 20% off with this coupon code: FGI5183
(Apply coupon code at checkout.)
$28.70 at iHerb
Best Prenatal One Multivitamin
Rainbow Light Prenatal
Pros: It's certified R.A.W, non-GMO, & C.L.E.A.N.
Cons: Contains milk, soy, and wheat traces from enzyme fermentation
Why Do Physicians Recommend It
Not only is Rainbow Light's prenatal One Multivitamin available everywhere, but it's also Consumer Labs-tested, vegetarian, and made without flavors, colors or sweeteners. They're jam-packed with iron, calcium, and folate as major ingredients. In addition, these prenatal vitamins are now available from 90 to 150 tablets per bottle to accommodate your particular stage of pregnancy.
Size: 90 to 150 tablets
Serving size: 1 tablet daily
Coupon Code
Get 20% off with this coupon code: FGI5183
(Apply coupon code at checkout.)
$29.74 at iHerb
Best Prenatal Vitamin for Choline
MegaFood Baby & Me 2
Pros: It's doctor-formulated
Cons: It's not vegan
Why Do Physicians Recommend It
"Choline is important for the development of the baby's brain and spinal cord," says Dr. Tiffany Woodus. These prenatal vitamins from MegaFood include 300 mg of choline." Although the recommended daily amount is 450 mg, Dr. Woodus says that choline can also be found naturally in certain foods such as peanuts, eggs, milk, and fish in order to get your daily requirement.
Size: 60 to 120 tablets
Serving size: 2 tablets per day
Coupon Code
Get 20% off with this coupon code: FGI5183
(Apply coupon code at checkout.)
$29.99 at iHerb
Best Vegan Prenatal
Naturelo Prenatal Multivitamins
Pros: Vegan, includes iron
Cons: Must be taken 3x daily
Why Do Physicians Recommend It
Plant-based mothers-to-be will love this vegan supplement, which contains important nutrients such as folic acid, calcium, iron, zinc, and vitamins A, C, and D. The formula also uses chelated iron--an altered form of the mineral which some feel is easier to digest. Despite having to take three capsules daily, they can be opened, and the powder can be added to food or drink.
Size: 180 capsules per bottle
Serving size: 3 capsules per day
Coupon Code
Get 20% off with this coupon code: FGI5183
(Apply coupon code at checkout.)
$39.95 at iHerb
Best Prenatal DHA
Nordic Naturals Prenatal DHA
Pros: Strawberry flavor option to mask fishy taste
Cons: Contains limited necessary nutrients
Why Do Physicians Recommend It
Because omega-3 from a very reputable brand such as Nordic Naturals is absolutely vital for proper and healthy fetal development. One serving of the brand's prenatal soft gels contain a remarkable 830 mg of DHA and 400 IU of vitamin D3. While several fish oil supplements taste a bit fishy, these soft gels are available in a strawberry flavor or just unflavored.
Size: 90 to 180 soft gels per bottle
Serving size: 2 soft gels per day
Coupon Code
Get 20% off with this coupon code: FGI5183
(Apply coupon code at checkout.)
$24.61 at iHerb
