10 Best Prenatal Vitamins, According to Registered Dietitians

MegaFood's Baby & Me 2 line was developed exclusively for prenatal and postnatal nutritional needs.

Their prenatal multi is doctor-formulated and contains methylated folate, which is the active form of folic acid that plays an important role in helping form the neural tube and preventing major birth defects of the fetus's developing brain and spine. We also love that it is one of the few prenatal vitamins on the market that contains choline, another important nutrient to support healthy fetal brain development throughout pregnancy. The 300 mg choline is far greater than other prenatals on the market.

If you've been struggling with morning sickness, you'll appreciate that this multi can be taken on an empty stomach. And if the pills are too big, MegaFood also makes mini prenatals and gummies too. Our registered dietitians appreciate that the brand has strict internal quality standards and tests products for over 125 pesticides and herbicides.

But this prenatal does not contain certain minerals such as calcium, magnesium and potassium, and it also lacks DHA (which arguably should be taken separately from a multivitamin anyway), so take note of that with your dietary habits.

Prenatal vitamins can be pricey, but this affordable pick from Nature Made doesn't sacrifice quality. The complete multivitamin contains all of the basic vitamins and minerals you'd expect and includes 800 mcg folic acid. We also appreciate that, unlike many other prenatal vitamins, this option contains calcium. Although this pick is gluten-free and has no artificial flavors, it does not contain any choline or potassium so pay close attention to this in your diet.

Our nutrition pros especially appreciate that this supplement is United States Pharmacopeia (USP) verified, meaning that it has passed rigorous testing to ensure quality and purity. A serving is only one tablet, which should be taken with water and a meal, and the pills themselves are relatively small and easy to swallow.

Registered dietitian Lauren Manaker, MS, RDN, LD, CLEC, who specializes in women's health, says that this prenatal from Life Extension is one of her go-to's for the nutrients it provides, the quality of the ingredients found in this option, and the fact that this brand performs third-party testing to certify that what’s on the label is actually in the bottle. "This option provides ample amounts of folate/folic acid, vitamin D, iron and iodine. Plus, one serving provides 275 mg choline, which is far more than what is found in many other prenatal vitamins."

She also appreciates that the complex includes 200 mg DHA for brain health support and is gluten-free and non-GMO too. But a serving is four softgels, which may be troublesome for some to take, and it does not contain calcium or magnesium. That being said, our on-staff nutrition pros appreciate that a certificate of analysis is available for every Life Extension product.

Also our top pick for a once-daily prenatal vitamin, this choice from Garden of Life's MyKind Organics line is made from certified organic fruits, vegetables and herbs. It contains 600 mcg of folate and 18 mg of a non-constipating iron. Although this once-daily option is a standard pill size, the brand also makes a three-times-a-day option in a smaller pill and an alternative in gummy form.

Garden of Life told Good Housekeeping that from the powder to the manufacturer, the potencies are tested and guaranteed to meet label claims. The brand is also very passionate about traceability. But one thing to note is that this prenatal does not contain calcium, magnesium, potassium, choline or DHA. It can be harder to find all of these nutrients in a once-daily tablet, so you may need to take another supplement if you'd diet isn't providing enough of these nutrients.

Pill fatigue is real, especially during pregnancy, so gummy options like this one from Olly are available for an easier experience. This pick is formulated to be gentle on the stomach and comes in sweet citrus and raspberry flavors. While it does contain folic acid, choline and DHA, the amounts are lower than some of the other prenatal vitamins we have on this list. Keep in mind that these gummies are void of several minerals like calcium, magnesium, iron and potassium, so be sure to get enough of these in your diet or supplement with them.

A serving is only two gummies — no food or water needed — so speak with your healthcare provider about potentially doubling the serving to better meet your needs. The colors come from natural fruit and veggie juices, and, most importantly, this pick is NSF Contents Certified, meaning that it has been extensively tested and certified for quality, purity and safety.

If you absolutely can't stomach the thought of taking a pill or gummy vitamin during pregnancy, there's good news: There are several alternatives on the market to help meet your needs. This vanilla powder from Needed is formulated with perinatal practitioners and includes 24 vitamins and minerals to support your pregnancy. Just mix two scoops into your morning smoothie or a beverage of choice like juice or milk alongside a full meal. You can even mix the powder into yogurt and oatmeal, but it is not recommended to cook with it or heat it.

We appreciate that a serving contains folate, calcium, magnesium, potassium and even choline at 400 mg (73% DV) which is one of the largest amounts we have seen in a prenatal supplement (and the cost reflects that, too, as it's one of the most expensive prenatals per dose on our list). But take note that this prenatal does not have any DHA or iron, which the brand says is best to take separately. Our dietitians like that Needed tests every batch for performance and quality, including through third parties that test for nutritional content, pesticides, herbicides, heavy metals and more.

Another pill alternative is a liquid prenatal like this one from Pink Stork. It has a mixed berry flavor and requires only 1 tablespoon per serving, which you can mix with your favorite beverage. We like that it contains all the major vitamins and minerals you'd expect, plus folate, choline, calcium and magnesium. It even contains a nourishing fruit and vegetable blend, but take note that it does not have iron or DHA.

This pick is third-party tested, cGMP Certified and a women-owned business too. The consistency is pretty thick, but we found that it mixed well in different drinks, especially smoothies. Many reviewers said it was a welcome alternative to gummies and pills that upset their stomachs during pregnancy.

You'll notice that many of the prenatal vitamins on this list may be lacking one or two important nutrients. This is typically done because certain nutrients taken together can interfere with absorption, and some nutrients can make pills way too big to swallow. That's why you may have to complement your prenatal vitamin with a few other supplements to round out the regimen, but figuring out what to take together can be complicated.

These convenient prenatal daily packets with a variety of pills from Natalist are designed by a board-certified OB-GYN and a registered dietitian and contain multivitamins and vegan DHA in each packet. They can be conveniently stored in your purse when on-the-go too. They are quite pricey, but the convenience can really come in handy. They have calcium, magnesium, choline, folate, iron and more, and the capsules are on the smaller side which makes them easy to swallow. All Natalist vitamins are made in an FDA Registered and Inspected Facility and is also GMP Certified. The brand also directly tests the raw material components of their vitamins to ensure purity, and certificates of analysis are performed on every batch of manufactured vitamins to ensure final product integrity and quality.

Nutritional needs do change from trimester to trimester, and Perelel addresses these evolving needs with its trimester-specific prenatal packs that come in first-, second- and third-trimester variations. Made and founded by doctors, these third-party tested vitamins are formulated without any colorants or synthetic fillers.

The first-trimester pack, for example, contains added folate, DHA, the brand's core prenatal vitamin and an anti-nausea blend as well for those tough early-pregnancy symptoms. The second-trimester pack focuses on added calcium and magnesium, and then the third-trimester pack has probiotics, more omega-3s and other nutrients to support the rapid growth of the fetus during that time period. Although there are quite a few pills per packet and this complex comes at a higher price per dosage than others, it's a comprehensive option that comes in a convenient pack that is perfect for travel.

Formulated by a registered dietitian with a background in functional medicine, this comprehensive prenatal from FullWell contains optimal doses and research-backed forms of several key nutrients to support a healthy pregnancy. You'll find substantial levels of folate and choline, plus other important vitamins and minerals. It even has 4,000 IU vitamin D to support fetal development. This prenatal purposely doesn't contain iron or DHA, as the brand feels that the stability of these components are compromised when mixed into a multivitamin.

But take note that a serving is a whopping eight capsules since it does contain more choline, magnesium and calcium than many other prenatals. That being said, you can divide the dose and even open and mix the capsules into smoothies or a cool beverage, but speak with your healthcare provider about the optimal dose and delivery method for you. This pick uses third-party, independent testing for harmful contaminants in every single lot they produce.