A healthy diet should always be a priority, although there is nothing wrong with indulging from time to time. However, if you are expecting, you may find that even if you are as health-conscious as possible, there are still some essential minerals and vitamins you might be low on, for obvious reasons.
During pregnancy, women need an increase in nutrients for the sake of both the mom and the baby.
As a result, it is recommended that you take prenatal vitamins specially created to contain all the nutrients you most need as a future mother, such as folic acid, one of the most important since it helps prevent neural tube defects.
Other nutrients you can find in prenatal vitamins are calcium, iron, vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, and iodine, all helping with your baby’s healthy brain development.
At the same time, it is recommended to take prenatal supplements even before you’re pregnant since they are such a great help for a healthy diet and in the process of conceiving.
The human body needs a lot of nutrients to function to its best ability and it can be really difficult to get all of them from just the food we consume.
During pregnancy, they also help with relieving nausea, one of the most dreaded side effects.
Of course, that doesn’t work for everyone and in the case of some women, prenatal supplements actually make their morning sickness even worse.
In that case, you might need to talk to your doctor and see if switching to some that have an increased amount of vitamin B6 is for you.
Another major benefit of taking prenatal nutrients is the prevention of preterm birth as it’s been linked to vitamin B12.
Now that you know the basics of why you should most definitely take prenatal vitamins if you are pregnant or trying to be, here are some of the best ones on the market and what they bring to the table so you can make the best decision for yourself!
One a Day Prenatal Multivitamin
This brand has all the essential nutrients you need, including folic acid, vitamin D and iron as well as some extras such as B6 and DHA. You simply cannot go wrong with this one!
Thorne Research Basic Prenatal Folate Multivitamin
The second option on this list contains a highly absorbable form of folate which is known to support the healthy development of the fetus’ tissues and internal organs.
Furthermore, it is also very important for the closure of the neural tube, which is the precursor to their brain and spine.
Of course, there are many foods that contain folic acid, including bread, cereal and other grains but in the case of pregnant women, it is still medically recommended that their intake of this nutrient is increased by 50%.
More precisely, they should be consuming 600 micrograms of folic acid in addition to what they already get from food.
This product has 1,000 micrograms of metabolically active folic acid so you can rest assured that your future baby gets everything they need for healthy development.
Not only that but, the Thorne Research Basic Prenatal Folate Multivitamin does not contain any dairy, gluten, soy or artificial flavoring!
Nature Made Prenatal Multi + DHA Softgels
This prenatal vitamin takes all its nutrients from food and also adds spirulina, red raspberry and ginger, meant to help with digestion.
It contains vitamin C, A, as well as iron, perfect nutrients for your bones, skin, blood and immune system.
Finally, it contains natural ingredients and is vegan and gluten-free.
Garden of Life Vitamin Code RAW Prenatal Vitamin
This one contains 800 mcg of folate, 18 mg of iron and 1,400 IU of vitamin D as well as other essential nutrients.
Not only that but, it is vegetarian, gluten and dairy-free and it is not made with any fillers or binders.
Furthermore, since it contains ginger and probiotics, it is also sure to help with constipation and nausea.
Nordic Naturals Strawberry-Flavored Prenatal DHA
In case the prenatal vitamin you’re already taking does not contain DHA, you should ask your doctor whether or not you need an omega-3 supplement in addition.
If that is the case, Nordic Naturals could be the perfect pick for you since these soft gels contain 830 mg of Omega 3 and 400 IUs of vitamin D.
Not only that but, to make the taking of supplements a little easier, they taste like strawberry!
Smarty Pants Daily Organic Prenatal Vitamins
These gummy vitamins have no artificial sweeteners, no high fructose corn syrup and are also free of the most common eight allergens!
In addition to that, the product doesn’t contain artificial colors and flavors and is always tested for purity by a third party.
By taking only four gummies, which is the recommended daily serving, the mothers to be get 200% of their daily value of vitamin D and 100% of folate.
Furthermore, the Smarty Pants Daily Organic Gummy Prenatal Vitamin also contains other pregnancy essentials such as omegas, probiotics and choline, to just name a few.
Prenatal Oxylent Multivitamin Supplement Drink
If soft gels or gummies are not for you, maybe you prefer drinking your prenatal vitamins?
This drink supplement is packed with vitamins, the stevia-sweetened powder containing a form of iron that helps with constipation, as well as other key vitamins.
All you need to do is add some water!
Ritual Essential Prenatal Vitamins
This entry on the list is actually only available via subscription which might actually make it easier on you.
It contains 12 essential vitamins, including 350 mg of vegan DHA and 2,000 IU of vitamin D.
Furthermore, they are made to be easy on an empty stomach and have a citrusy aftertaste.
Theralogix TheraNatal Core
Finally, Theralogix Theranatal Core is actually made to prepare a woman for pregnancy so you can take them while trying to conceive.
It contains 1,000 mcg of folic acid and 2,000 IU of vitamin D, as well as other nutrients to help with the process of trying for a baby.
