The 9 Best Prenatal Vitamins That OB/GYNs Recommend — and Moms Actually Take

A 2024 Mom Must-Have Award winner, Nature Made's Prenatal Multivitamin is packed with all the essential nutrients you need at an affordable price. These vitamins are especially rich in folic acid, iron, calcium, and vitamin D, and they contain DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid, without a fishy aftertaste.

Sarah Darby, Associate Director, SEO Content Strategist, and mom of two, started with gummy prenatals but switched to Nature Made after realizing she needed more iron. She was pleasantly surprised by how well she could stomach them.

"I actually found that they tasted better than the gummies because I was just swallowing them instead of chewing," Sarah says, adding that they were easy to swallow and the taste wasn't bad. "I would say they were as easy on the stomach as I could expect for something with iron, given my raging heartburn."

What moms love most about Nature Made's prenatals is how gentle they are on the stomach — without 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.

"I was intimidated by the size of the Nature Made vitamins, but I actually found it really easy to switch from gummy prenatal vitamins to these," says Caroline Picard, Senior Health Editor and recent mom of one, says. "I always take them right before bed, so I haven’t had any issues with stomach upset or aftertaste, and I like having the peace of mind that they contain more iron and DHA than gummy options."

Overall, Nature Made Prenatal is a solid multivitamin that delivers the nutrients you need at a good price, with a generous amount of pills in each bottle.

Tested by Robin Hilmantel, mom of two and What to Expect's Senior Director of Strategy and Growth:

“I was also on a gummy prenatal at one point, but I switched to Nature Made once I realized that it had more of the recommended nutrients. There was a slightly fishy aftertaste, but it wasn't bad compared to other vitamins with DHA that I've tried. And Nature Made never upset my stomach.”

There’s often confusion about folic acid versus folate these days, but leading medical resources — including the CDC, ACOG, USPSTF, and even the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) — all recommend folic acid specifically. That’s because no scientific studies show other forms of folate are as effective in preventing neural tube defects (NTDs), even though folic acid is the synthetic version.

For moms-to-be who want an easy, comprehensive option without having to worry about juggling extra supplements, the One A Day Prenatal Vitamins are the best all-in-one choice for everyday support. Each softgel is packed with 18 key ingredients, including 800 mcg of folic acid, along with 100% of the daily value for iron and vitamin D. 

They're also made without dairy, gluten, artificial sweeteners, synthetic colors, or high fructose corn syrup.  

However, if you're looking for choline, the brand also offers a duo version (120-count package) that you can take before, during, and after pregnancy. 

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, while also aiding in bone growth and boosting your immune system. It also contains 360 mcg of folic acid per serving. 

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.

Tested by Leah Rocketto, mom of two and What to Expect's Associate Commerce Director:

"My stomach was super sensitive during the first trimester, and I found these gummies easier to handle than traditional vitamins. Oddly, I found the semi-sour flavor soothing on my stomach. I eventually switched to a softgel when my morning sickness passed, but these were a great first-trimester pick."

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 brain and blood support. You can choose from mint- or citrus-essenced pills for a nice taste that makes these pills more palatable than most.

"Based on everything I read about prenatal vitamins, I was prepared for some chalky and fishy flavors. But Ritual’s vitamins were fine," Melissa Bykofsy, Executive Editor and mom of two, says in her review of Ritual prenatal vitamins. "It probably helps that the vitamins are available in two flavors: citrus and mint. I opted for citrus both times (though, it was the only option during my first pregnancy) and found it to taste a lot like a vitamin C supplement." 

It's also the only prenatal on the market backed by a human clinical trial. A recently published study examined the maternal blood, placenta, and cord blood over a 24-week pregnancy window. Of the 70 participants, those who took Ritual saw a higher increase of biotin levels and improved absorption of folate, as well as a reduction in cortisol, compared to those who just took a control multivitamin-mineral supplement and DHA pill.  

However, it's also 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.

Note: This prenatal contains folate, not folic acid. You may need to add a separate supplement to meet medical recommendations.

The Theralogix TheraNatal Core Preconception Vitamin contains 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.

Note: This prenatal contains folate, not folic acid. You may need to add a separate supplement to meet medical recommendations.

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 of the RDA during pregnancy), which is great if you need a boost in addition to what you consume in your diet.

"I had mild morning sickness with my first and metal mouth with my second, but was able to tolerate New Chapter's prenatals," says Jeanne Beacom, Campaign Performance Manager and mom of two.

It's worth noting that you have to take three of these a day, but Jeanne said it was easier than she expected.

"I took one in the morning and two in the evening," she shares. "I actually used a dry-erase marker on the bathroom mirror to tally as a reminder."

You'll need to take a separate DHA supplement, as these don't contain any.

Note: This prenatal contains folate, not folic acid. You may need to add a separate supplement to meet medical recommendations.

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 its strawberry flavor option, which many moms-to-be find helpful in preventing nausea. In fact, Stephanie Fisher, Senior Director of Multi-Platform Content Strategy and mom of two, calls it "magic."

"I was shocked by the lack of a fishy aftertaste," she says.

Jeanne also used Nordic Naturals prenatals but found they "got a little fishy sometimes." She adds, "They can also get sticky inside the bottle, so I usually give it a good shake every time before I open it."

These vitamins also contain 400 IU of vitamin D3 for added bone, mood, and immune support, and the softgel capsule is 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.

Note: This prenatal contains folate, not folic acid. You may need to add a separate supplement to meet medical recommendations.

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. While it’s more expensive than your average prenatal, this vegan tablet is taken once a day.

Note: This prenatal contains folate, not folic acid. You may need to add a separate supplement to meet medical recommendations.

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 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.

Note: This prenatal contains folate, not folic acid. You may need to add a separate supplement to meet medical recommendations.