As you to prepare for life with baby, you should be taking a supplement that provides key nutrients, such as folic acid, which is a primary ingredient in prenatal vitamins.
With a vast array of choices and ingredients out there, it can be hard to pick the right prenatal vitamin for you. That’s why we, the Forbes Health editorial team, picked out the 10 best prenatal vitamins for 2022, exploring factors like price, OB-GYN-recommended nutrients and instructions for dosage. Read on for our top picks.
Note: All prices are sourced from three nationwide retailers (when available) and are accurate as of the publication date.
| Company | Forbes Health Ratings | COST | PILL TYPE | View More | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
  |
$0.40 a pill | Capsule | Buy Now | On Amazon | |
|
|
$0.59 per pill | Capsule | Buy Now | View More | On Amazon |
Garden of Life Prenatal Multi + DHA |
|
$0.65 per pill | Softgel | Buy Now | On Amazon | |
|
|
$0.67 per pill | Tablet | Buy Now | On Amazon | |
|
 |
$0.46 per pill | Softgels | Buy Now | On Amazon | |
|
|
$0.43 per pill | Capsule | Buy Now | On Amazon | |
|
|
$0.21 per pill | Softgel and tablet | Buy Now | On Amazon | |
|
|
$0.44 per pill | Capsule | Buy Now | On Amazon | |
|
|
$0.13 per pill | Softgel | Buy Now | On Amazon | |
|
|
$0.31 per pill | Softgel | Buy Now | On Amazon |
A prenatal vitamin is a supplement designed to provide nutrients and minerals needed for a healthy pregnancy. The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists (ACOG) notes taking a prenatal vitamin and eating nutritious foods should provide a person with all the vitamins and minerals they need during pregnancy.
A prenatal vitamin is important for pregnant people, as the growing fetus requires certain nutrients that can be hard to get through diet alone.
“Fetal development is rapid and requires a lot of metabolism—it’s dependent on the proper amount of amino acids and nutrients,” says James Grifo, M.D., the program director at NYU Langone Fertility Center in New York City and chief executive physician at Inception Fertility.
ACOG recommends pregnant people consume certain amounts of calcium to help build strong bones and teeth, iron to help red blood cells deliver oxygen to the fetus, iodine and choline to aid in brain development, and folic acid to help prevent birth defects. Additionally, it recommends vitamins A, B6, B12, C and D, which provide benefits that range from promoting healthy skin and eyesight to the formation of red blood cells. While much of these nutrients can be obtained through a healthy diet, a prenatal vitamin provides the extra assurance your daily nutrition needs are met, no matter what’s on the menu.
Getting the recommended amount of certain nutrients—especially folic acid—can be hard to do, even if you eat a healthy diet. For example, ACOG recommends pregnant people consume 600 micrograms of folic acid daily during pregnancy to help prevent brain and spinal birth defects. While some folic acid can be derived from foods like fortified cereals and leafy green vegetables, ACOG recommends supplementing with a prenatal vitamin to make sure you’re getting the recommended amount.
The nutrients provided by a prenatal vitamin vary. When developing our ranking, the Forbes Health editorial team evaluated prenatal vitamins on their inclusion (or lack thereof) of:
When comparing ingredient lists, talk to your doctor or midwife about which prenatal vitamin is a good fit for you. Generally speaking, folic acid is a key nutrient. Many prenatal vitamins contain around 800 micrograms of folic acid, and OB-GYNs typically recommend taking a prenatal vitamin with at least 400 micrograms.
DHA—an omega-3 fatty acid—is also often recommended, as it may help with fetal brain development. Many prenatal vitamins include DHA. You can add a separate DHA supplement to your routine, too.
Prenatal vitamins aren’t just for pregnant people—they’re for people trying to get pregnant, too. ACOG recommends taking a prenatal vitamin that contains at least 400 micrograms of folic acid at least one month before becoming pregnant.
“Begin taking prenatal vitamins when you start trying—don’t wait until you’re pregnant,” says Mary Jane Minkin, M.D., clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut. “I encourage all my patients to take folic acid supplementation before they conceive—at least 400 micrograms per day—as we know that women on folic acid supplementation can significantly reduce the risk of certain birth defects like spina bifida.”
“And even if you’re not trying to conceive, if you’re not using contraception, you could become pregnant if you’re having sex,” she says, adding if you’re not using contraception, you should take a prenatal vitamin just in case.
To determine the best prenatal vitamins of 2022 ranking, the Forbes Health editorial team analyzed and graded 50 prenatal vitamins on factors, including:
A prenatal vitamin is a dietary supplement that contains specific nutrients beneficial to a growing fetus, such as folic acid, which plays a critical role in preventing birth defects of the brain and spine. It’s difficult to get all the needed nutrients through diet alone.
Common side effects of prenatal vitamins include constipation and nausea.
“With vitamin B6, prenatal vitamins are proven to help limit morning sickness during your pregnancy,” says Dr. Minkin. “However, some prenatal vitamins can do the opposite and make your morning sickness worse. If that’s the case, ask your doctor about switching to one with more vitamin B6.”
ACOG doesn’t advise taking more than the recommended amount of a prenatal vitamin per day, as very high amounts of certain vitamins—like vitamin A—can cause birth defects.
Since prenatal vitamins are considered a dietary supplement, the FDA doesn’t review or approve their safety. The agency recommends people talk to their healthcare providers about whether they should take a prenatal vitamin.
The National Institutes of Health also note that independent organizations, including ConsumerLab.com, NSF International and U.S. Pharmacopeia, offer quality testing. Look for brands with seals from these organizations, as they indicate the product has passed such quality tests.
The best prenatal vitamin is the one that provides the required nutrients for you and your pregnancy.
“Buy from a tried-and-true brand that your doctor has recommended, based on your specific health history,” says Dr. Grifo.
Information provided on Forbes Health is for educational purposes only. Your health and wellness is unique to you, and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. We do not offer individual medical advice, diagnosis or treatment plans. For personal advice, please consult with a medical professional.
Forbes Health adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though offers contained herein may no longer be available. The opinions expressed are the author’s alone and have not been provided, approved or otherwise endorsed by our advertisers.
