

Certification: Because prenatal vitamins are supplements and not well regulated, Small recommends looking for certifications like the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) and United States Pharmacopeia (USP) to help determine if a supplement was tested for quality and safety.

We found in our research and testing that a higher cost is not necessarily a signal of higher quality, and all the options on our list offer a good value. Value: Prenatal vitamins can cost anywhere between 11 cents and 60 cents per serving (sometimes more).We also offer one gummy and one liquid option for those who are experiencing more severe pregnancy nausea. It is important to read the labels to see if you would need to take an additional supplement." Our list of the best prenatal vitamins contains several softgels that are coated in gelatin, which makes the easier to swallow, and our testers confirmed that they went down easily. "For women experiencing nausea, a chewable or liquid vitamin may be a better option, but these may be missing some of the above essential nutrients. Ease of swallowing: "If a woman wants to get all the necessary vitamins and minerals in one prenatal vitamin, a pill that you swallow whole is the best choice," says Dr.That said, the doctors and registered dietitians we consulted recommended evaluating prenatal vitamins based on the following factors: So, what's the best prenatal vitamin? "The best prenatal is one you can tolerate and take every day," says Jill Purdie, M.D., medical director and OB/GYN at Northside Women's Specialists. For instance, prenatal vitamins contain higher levels of iron and folic acid than a standard multivitamin. "If comparing them side by side, you would notice higher amounts of many nutrients in a prenatal vitamin compared to the standard multivitamin for women," says Olivia Small, R.D.N., a prenatal dietitian and certified lactation counselor at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. Prenatal vitamins are specially formulated for pregnancy. After all, it's tough to meet the nutrient demands of pregnancy through food alone - especially when you're dealing with food aversions or morning sickness.Īnd no, a standard multivitamin won't do the trick.
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While a prenatal vitamin can't replace a healthy diet full of the best foods for pregnancy, a supplement helps you fill in any gaps, says Nicole Rankins, M.D., an OB/GYN and site director of the OB Hospitalist Group in Norfolk, Virginia. One of the most important steps you can take during pregnancy to ensure you have a healthy baby is also one of the simplest: popping a prenatal vitamin every day.
