10 of the best prenatal vitamins 2022 – picked by an expert

Do you need just one or more than one? When’s the best time to take them and what do they do exactly? Here, we explain all you need to know about prenatal vitamins. We also share our top prenatal vitamin picks, which have also been tried-and-tested and highly recommended by many of our customers!

As the name suggests, prenatal supplements are supplements that provide women with a dose of vitamins and minerals they need to help keep themselves and their baby healthy during pregnancy.¹ Of all the prenatal vitamins, folic acid is up there as being one of the main supplements to take before getting pregnant. Part of the vitamin B family, folic acid is essential for cell growth and development. 

Taking 400mcg of folic acid every day for at least 1 month before and during pregnancy can help reduce the risk of your baby developing brain and spine health issues, which are known as Neural Tube Defects (NTD). According to the NHS, you should continue to take folic acid until you are 12 weeks into your pregnancy.² Vitamin D is also recognised as being an important prenatal vitamin too. Ideally, we all need 10mcg of vitamin D a day and should consider taking a supplement to make sure our levels are maintained during September and March when we have limited sun exposure. 

This particular vitamin is responsible for regulating our calcium and phosphate levels, which keep our bones, teeth and muscles healthy. Taking more than 100mcg of vitamin D a day can be harmful to you and your baby. Folic acid and vitamin D aside, there are also prenatal supplements that contain a blend of several vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin E, selenium, vitamin D and vitamin B6, all rolled into one prenatal multivitamin. As is the case when taking any supplement, speak to your GP first if you are planning on taking prenatal vitamins. 

They will advise you on what to take, how much to take of them and if they’re safe for you. 

We’ve spoken about the importance of taking prenatal vitamins and the fact that folic acid and vitamin D are up there as being the more important prenatal supplements to take, but which brands should you choose when you’re shopping around? 

Fret no more because we’ve listed our top 10 prenatal supplement product picks, which have been tried and given the thumbs up by many of our customers too!

Yes, it is. Prenatal vitamins are designed to be taken before you get pregnant and some products can continue to be taken during pregnancy too.

These supplements are aimed at plugging any nutritional gaps you may have so that your baby has all the vital nutrients it needs to develop and grow healthily. 

While it’s possible to get these nutrients from your food, some women may not eat their daily quota of goodness every single day, which means their bodies and baby aren’t getting all of the goodness that’s required. 

Plus the fact, having to provide for two people can be draining on mum’s body, and supplements are a quick and easy way of making sure she continues to provide enough nutrients for herself and her baby.

Ideally, you should take a prenatal vitamin 3 months before trying to get pregnant. 

This is due to the fact that the egg starts maturing around 3 months before being released, and when that happens, it’s important it gets all the nutrients it needs from the outset.³

If you believe you may be pregnant and aren’t yet taking a prenatal vitamin, make sure you do it right away. NTDs develop in those early stages, usually during the first 4 to 6 weeks of getting pregnant. 

That’s why it’s essential women start taking folic acid straight away at the very least to help minimise the risk of NTDs happening.

Prenatal vitamins provide essential health support for you and your baby. They can be taken before you get pregnant and certain formulas can continue to be taken while you are pregnant. Meanwhile, other supplements have been formulated to support you and your baby’s needs post-pregnancy too.