The 8 Best Prenatal Vitamins of 2024, Approved by OB/GYNs and Moms
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Quick Summary
The best prenatal vitamin is the Nature Made Prenatal Multivitamin Folic Acid + DHA, according to feedback from registered dietitians, OB/GYNs and testers from the What to Expect staff and user community. These vitamins stand out for containing DHA, being easy to swallow and gently on the stomach.
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One of the most important steps you can take during pregnancy to ensure you have a healthy baby is also one of the simplest: popping a prenatal vitamin every day. While a prenatal vitamin can't replace a healthy diet full of the best foods for pregnancy, a supplement helps you fill in any gaps, says Nicole Rankins, M.D., an OB/GYN and site director of the OB Hospitalist Group in Norfolk, Virginia. After all, it's tough to meet the nutrient demands of pregnancy through food alone — especially when you're dealing with food aversions or morning sickness.
And no, a standard multivitamin won't do the trick — I had the same question during my first pregnancy. Prenatal vitamins are specially formulated for pregnancy. "If comparing them side by side, you would notice higher amounts of many nutrients in a prenatal vitamin compared to the standard multivitamin for women," says Olivia Small, R.D.N., a prenatal dietitian and certified lactation counselor at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. For instance, prenatal vitamins contain higher levels of iron and folic acid than a standard multivitamin.
How we chose the best prenatal vitamins
First and foremost, your prenatal vitamin needs to provide the right nutrients (and the right amount of them) to support your body throughout your pregnancy. This is why all the prenatal vitamins on this list meet the prenatal nutrition guidelines from the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). But to learn about the benefits each of these nutrients provide to pregnant women, we spoke to Small and Dr. Rankins, as well as Jill Purdie, M.D., medical director and OB/GYN at Northside Women's Specialists and Christine Greves, M.D., a board-certified OB/GYN at the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies in Orlando, G. Thomas Ruiz, M.D., a board-certified OB/GYN and lead OB/GYN at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California, Alexa Sassin, M.D., a board-certified OB/GYN and assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Baylor College of Medicine and Meleen Chuang, M.D., a board-certified OB/GYN and chief of service in Obstetrics and Gynecology at NYU Langone Hospital Brooklyn. (You can learn more about the recommended ingredients and their benefits below.)
Additionally, because prenatal vitamins are supplements and not well regulated, Small suggests taking vitamins that are certified by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) and United States Pharmacopeia (USP), which ensures they were tested for quality and safety. All of our recommendations for prenatal vitamins have an independent certification to back up their claims.
Of course, if a prenatal vitamin tastes bad or causes an upset stomach, you may be less likely to take it. And what good would that do? To get an idea of which prenatal vitamins moms can actually tolerate, we spoke to seven mothers on the What to Expect staff, who have altogether tested all of these prenatal vitamins during their combined 13 pregnancies. We also utilized the results and feedback of the 2023 Mom Must-Have Awards, in which more than 375 moms from our user community voted on the prenatal vitamin they’d recommend most. In both instances, we considered their feedback on taste, smell, ease of swallowing and side effects, eliminating any prenatal vitamins that received poor reviews.
Why Trust Us?
What to Expect is the world’s most trusted pregnancy and parenting brand for a reason. Our product recommendations are based on expert parent insight, advice from medical professionals and feedback from the millions of parents and parents-to-be in our community. Our editors adhere to the highest research and reporting standards and our team of vetted OB/GYNs, pediatricians and other health professionals ensure our recommended products are safe and effective for you and your baby.
Best Overall Prenatal Vitamin
Nature Made Prenatal Multivitamin Folic Acid + DHA
- Includes DHA
- gentle on stomach
- USP-verified
- Pills are large
Form: Softgel
Serving size: One softgel per day
Cost per serving: $0.42
FSA-eligible: Yes
A 2023 Mom Must-Have Award winner, Nature Made Prenatal Multivitamin Folic Acid + DHA vitamins are packed with all the nutrients you need for an affordable price. They're especially rich in the essential nutrients of folic acid, iron, calcium and vitamin D, plus they contain DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid, without a fishy taste.
What our community members love most about the Nature Made prenatals is how gentle they are on the stomach — and you won't be left with any bitterness. Many moms also praised the softgel capsules for being easy to swallow, and free from both the chalky aftertaste of uncoated pills and the excess sugar of gummy vitamins. Plus, you'll only need to take one a day, so the bottle will last up to three months depending on what size you buy. Overall, the Nature Made Prenatal is a solid multivitamin that will deliver the nutrients you need at a good price and sizable amount of pills in each bottle.
Best Prenatal Gummy Vitamin
Vitafusion Prenatal Supplement
- Easy to take
- high in vitamin D
- contains DHA
- Doesn’t contain iron or calcium
Form: Gummy
Serving size: Two gummies per day
Cost per serving: $0.13
FSA-eligible: Yes
Can't stomach a horse-sized prenatal vitamin? A gummy might help. Vitafusion Prenatal Gummies pack many of the essential nutrients you need (including DHA) into a lemon- or raspberry lemonade-flavored chew. Plus, they also contain 800 IU of vitamin D, which is more than the daily value for pregnant women and aids in bone growth and could help your immune system. Just note that you'll need to ask your practitioner if you should supplement with calcium and iron separately because this option lacks both. And, because you'll need to take two gummies a day, each bottle contains only a 45-day supply. However, for those who can't swallow the large size of many prenatal vitamins or who have a sensitive stomach, this flavorful, easy-to-take gummy option will be a great alternative.
Best Preconception Prenatal Vitamin
Theralogix TheraNatal Core Preconception Vitamins
- Vegetarian
- NSF-certified
- Doesn't contain DHA
Form: Tablet
Serving size: One tablet per day
Cost per serving: $0.43
FSA-eligible: Yes
The Theralogix TheraNatal Core Preconception Vitamin contain nutrients designed to give your body what it needs to prepare for pregnancy. This includes methylated folate, a natural form of folate that is easier to absorb, which helps support baby's brain development. If you're trying to conceive, taking a vitamin high in folate up to six months before conception can help set an important foundation for both your body and baby's development.
Additionally, Theralogix's preconception vitamins contain 2,000 IU of vitamin D, which is more than double the daily amount, in order to aid in bone growth, immunity and even mood. It also contains plenty of calcium and iron, which are crucial for your bones and blood cell production, respectively. And, it notably includes choline, which is not always found in prenatals but can help with fetal brain development and may decrease the risk of neural tube defects.
However, talk to your doctor once you’re pregnant to ensure that the higher level of certain nutrients is still safe for a developing baby.
Best Organic Prenatal Vitamin
New Chapter Advanced Perfect Prenatal Multivitamins
- Made with organic ingredients
- 100 percent vegetarian
- Doesn’t contain DHA
- have to take three pills a day
Form: Tablet
Serving size: Three tablets per day
Cost per serving: $0.76
FSA-eligible: Yes
New Chapter's kosher prenatals are International Certification Services (ICS) organic certified and verified non-GMO. We like how they contain 27 mg of iron (which is your entire daily value during pregnancy), but are gentle enough to take on an empty stomach, which is likely due to the addition of ginger. They also contain a modest amount of calcium (about 6 percent percent of the RDA during pregnancy) which is great if you need a boost in addition to what you consume in your diet. Just keep in mind that they don't contain DHA, so you'll need to get that elsewhere with a supplement.
Best Prenatal DHA Supplement
Nordic Naturals Prenatal DHA
- NSF-certified
- organic
- includes strawberry flavor option
- Lacks other important ingredients
Form: Softgel
Serving size: Two softgels per day
Cost per serving: $0.56
FSA-eligible: Yes
If your prenatal vitamin doesn't contain DHA, ask your doctor if you should take an additional omega-3 supplement, like this Nordic Naturals Prenatal DHA. The brand's prenatal softgels contain an impressive 480 mg of DHA, with an overall total of 830 mg of omega-3s. DHA has been found to be important for a baby's nervous system, while omega-3 fatty acids in general help with brain and visual development. What sets this DHA supplement apart from others is that it has a strawberry flavor option to offset the infamous fishy taste, which can be especially helpful for preventing nausea. So, anyone struggling to incorporate fish into their diet or who can't stand the fishy aftertaste of multivitamins with omega-3s might want to try this option instead. It also contains 400 IU of vitamin D3 for added bone, mood and immunity support, and the softgel capsule will be easy to swallow.
Remember, however, that this isn't a full-spectrum prenatal vitamin, so it will need to be taken with a multivitamin to ensure you're meeting all your nutritional needs. And, because of its high quantities in DHA and other omega-3s, you should check with your doctor before taking it to make sure it's the right option for you.
Best Vegan Prenatal Vitamin
Garden of Life Organics Prenatal Vitamin
- Vegan
- Gluten-free
- Expensive
Form: Tablet
Serving size: One tablet per day
Cost per serving: $1.11
FSA-eligible: No
Plant-based parents-to-be will love these vegan Garden of Life Organics prenatal vitamins, which contain essential nutrients such as folate, calcium, iron and vitamins A, C and D. Unlike many capsules or softgels, each tablet is made from plant-based materials that are free of synthetic binders and fillers. They can also dissolve within 45 minutes, delivering important nutrients to you and your baby quickly. It contains ferronyl iron, an altered form of the mineral that some feel is easier to digest without causing constipation. This vitamin also includes folate from an organic food blend to help with baby's brain development. While it’s more expensive than your average prenatal, this vegan tablet is taken once a day.
Best Liquid Prenatal Vitamin
Pink Stork Liquid Prenatal
- Can mix with other beverages
- women-owned company
- No DHA
- not many servings in each bottle
Form: Liquid
Serving size: One Tbsp.
Cost per serving: $1.47
FSA-eligible: Yes
For moms-to-be experiencing nausea or hyperemesis gravidarum (or for those who simply don't enjoy taking pills), Pink Stork Liquid Prenatal is a great option to consider. Widely loved by expectant moms in the What to Expect community, this liquid prenatal packs in tons of the nutrients you need, like folic acid, iron and zinc, plus full daily values of vitamins including C, D, B6, B12 and more. It also includes 100 mg of choline, which is good for baby's brain development.
What sets this prenatal apart from pills or gummies is its liquid formula which can be mixed with your favorite beverage to make it even easier to ingest. (You can, of course, take the one tablespoon dose daily by itself — but some reviewers note it has that standard vitamin taste, so adding it to another beverage may be ideal.) Note, though, that this prenatal doesn't include DHA, so you may need to look for a supplement option to add on.
Best Prenatal Vitamin Subscription
Ritual Essential Prenatal Multivitamin
- Two flavor options
- vegan
- traceable ingredients
- Not everyone loves the aftertaste
- some say it causes “fish burps”
Form: Softgel
Serving size: Two softgels per day
Cost per serving: $1.30
FSA-eligible: Yes
Ritual is a subscription-based service, so you'll never have to remember to grab more prenatal vitamins when you run low. The brand is big on only including ingredients that you can trace right to the source, with detailed descriptions about where each vitamin and mineral comes from to help you know exactly what you're putting in your body during this important time. Included in each serving is vital nutrients for you and baby, including folate and iron, plus choline and DHA, all which aid in neural tube, brain and blood support. Choose from mint- or citrus-essenced pills for a nice taste that makes these pills more palatable than most.
It's important to point out that the supplements don't contain zinc or vitamins A or C, so talk to your doctor to see if you should be supplementing separately with these nutrients or if your regular diet includes enough of each naturally.
Read a mom of two's review of Ritual prenatal vitamins.
Ingredients to Look for in Prenatal Vitamins
Folic acid (600 mcg): Folic acid helps form the neural tube, which is what forms the baby's brain and spine.
Vitamin A (750 to 770 mcg): "Vitamin A plays a role in the formation of the fetal eyes, ears, limbs and heart," says Dr. Purdie.
Vitamins C (80 to 85 mg) and E (15 mg): "These two play an important role in fetal collagen production and supporting the mother's immune system," says Dr. Purdie. Large doses of vitamin C a day (over 2,000 mg) can cause symptoms like diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, so don't take additional supplements outside of what's in your prenatal without consulting your doctor.
Vitamin D (15 mcg or 600 IU): Vitamin D is important with developing fetal bones as well as aiding maternal bone health. "There are also emerging studies that suggest it aids in immunity and improves mood for the mother," says Dr. Purdie. If your doctor suspects you may not be getting enough Vitamin D, she may recommend an extra supplement.
Calcium (1,000 to 1,300 mg): All women ages 19 to 50 need at least 1,000 mg per day of this crucial nutrient which, in the case of pregnant women, helps build your baby's bones and teeth.
Iron (27 mg): During pregnancy, the amount of iron you need in a day greatly increases. This is because your body needs more iron in order to make more blood to supply oxygen to your baby. "Iron requirements in pregnancy increase, so supplementation is necessary to maintain adequate blood cell production," says Dr. Purdie. If, like many women, you become anemic during pregnancy, your doctor may recommend an iron supplement or a different prenatal vitamin with more iron.
Zinc (11 to 12 mg): This mineral supports your immune system and healthy cell division.
DHA: Regular prenatal vitamins may not contain DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid found in many types of fish that aid in baby's brain development, both before and after birth. If you're unable to get the recommended two to three servings (8 to 12 ounces) of pregnancy-safe fatty fish per week, ask your doctor if you should take a supplement.
Other nutrients: You might also see several other additions on the label such as copper, choline, thiamin, vitamin B12, magnesium and ginger or vitamin B6 (both may help with morning sickness).
Additional Prenatal Supplements
There are other prenatal supplements that can be helpful during pregnancy. Your prenatal vitamin may contain these already, so be sure to read the label before using an additional supplement. Also, make sure to consult with your OB/GYN before adding any supplements — including these — to your routine. In some situations, your doctor may recommend adding these supplements to your regimen or looking for a prenatal vitamin that contains them.
Thiamine
Aka thiamin or vitamin B1, thiamine is important for the development of the baby's nervous system, Dr. Chuang says.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is necessary for producing red blood cells, as well as the development of baby’s brain and nervous system, Dr. Chuang says. "This is more of a common deficiency that's discussed," Dr. Greves says. "We check it in people who have less energy and bowel problems."
Magnesium
Magnesium supports healthy muscle and nerve function, Dr. Chuang says. It also helps to regulate blood sugar levels. "Sometimes we recommend that women with migraines take magnesium to help prevent them," Dr. Greves says.
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 helps form red blood cells, supports brain development and aids in the metabolism of protein, Dr. Chuang says. Dr. Greves adds that It may also help with nausea.
Probiotics
"Probiotics can help support a healthy gut microbiome, which is beneficial for both the mother and baby's digestive health," Dr. Chuang says.
- What to Expect When You're Expecting, 5th edition, Heidi Murkoff.
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Nutrition During Pregnancy, March 2021.
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Vitamin D: Screening and Supplementation During Pregnancy, 2021.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Folic Acid Helps Prevent Serious Birth Defects of the Brain and Spine, September 2021.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Maternal Diet, September 2021.
- Jill Purdie, M.D., Medical Director and OB/GYN, Northside Women’s Specialists, Atlanta, Georgia.
- Mayo Clinic, Iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy: Prevention tips, February 2022.
- Mayo Clinic, Iron Supplement (Oral Route, Parenteral Route), August 2021.
- Mayo Clinic, Prenatal Vitamins: Why They Matter, How to Choose, May 2020.
- Mayo Clinic, Riboflavin (Oral Route), February 2021.
- Mayo Clinic, Vitamin A, November 2020.
- National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, Comparison of the Effectiveness of Ginger and Vitamin B6 for Treatment of Nausea and Vomiting in Early Pregnancy, January 2007.
- National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, The Effects of Vegetarian and Vegan Diet during Pregnancy on the Health of Mothers and Offspring, March 2019.
- National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, Maternal Omega-3 Nutrition, Placental Transfer and Fetal Brain Development in Gestational Diabetes and Preeclampsia, May 2019.
- National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, Vitamin D Deficiency and Antenatal and Postpartum Depression: A Systematic Review, April 2018.
- National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, Vitamin D Effects on the Immune System from Periconception through Pregnancy, May 2020.
- National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, Zinc Supplementation for Improving Pregnancy and Infant Outcome, February 2015.
- National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements, Folate, March 2021.
- National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements, Vitamin A, January 2021.
- National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements, Vitamin A (Fact Sheet for Health Professionals, March 2021.
- National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements, Vitamin C, March 2021.
- National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements, Vitamin E, March 2021.
- National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements, Vitamin D, March 2021.
- National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements, Calcium, November 2021.
- National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements, Iodine, March 2020.
- National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements, Iron, March 2020.
- National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements, Zinc, December 2021.
- Nicole Rankins, M.D., OB/GYN and Site Director, OB Hospitalist Group, Norfolk, Virginia.
- U.S. Food & Drug Administration, Advice about Eating Fish For Those Who Might Become or Are Pregnant or Breastfeeding and Children Ages 1 - 11 Years, December 2021.
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