7 Best Natural Prenatal Vitamins

What brings you on the hunt for the best natural prenatal vitamins?

Are you hoping to conceive in the near future? Perhaps you are currently carrying human life or simply looking for better hair and nail growth. Maybe you’ve found that prenatal vitamins are just easier for your body to digest.

Whatever has brought you here, buckle up as we have all the best info when it comes to prenatal vitamins.

Let’s dig in. 

Are Prenatal Vitamins Necessary?

Drumroll… YES YES YES! 

Consistent intake of a quality prenatal vitamin can be a game-changer when it comes to conception, gestation, and delivery of your baby. 

Now, you should try your hardest to consume a whole-food balanced diet with moderate to high-quality protein, low in added sugar, and full of colorful fruits and vegetables. 

Why? Because your body most easily processes and metabolizes micronutrients from food vs. supplements. However, for most of us, this is just not realistic, especially 7 out of 7 days a week for months on end. Some of the things that get in the way for me and my clients from consistently eating properly include:

• Crazy work/life schedules
• Trying to workout… or perhaps overtraining 🤷‍♀️
• Breastfeeding (Have you given your pump a name yet? LIke it or not, for those of us that go this route, we get awfully attached to our pump…did you see what I did right there… Attached? Get it? OK moving on.)
• Not addressing childhood trauma / emotional issues
• Working in a building or living in a home full of mold (Yep, you can put a big #3 up for the number of times this personally happened to us)
• Exposure to toxins like smog
• Plug-in air fresheners
• Cigarette smoke 
• Poorly made, toxin-filled makeup and shampoo (If you haven’t already, check out the EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database to see what toxins may be in your cosmetic products.)
• The list goes on and on… 

Moral of the story: It is hard to eat healthy all the time, eating a completely whole-food diet every day is tough, and having a high toxic load is nearly unavoidable. Thus, having things like tasty whole-food protein bars and one of the best natural prenatal vitamins can help us maintain our health when #life happens.

Pro Tip: If you’re looking for a clean, whole-food, high-protein bar, that tastes amazing, be sure to try RAWR Organics. Their top flavors are cookie dough and dark chocolate peanut butter. This bars are completely void of preservatives and made fresh each order then shipped. Thus, they can only be kept in the fridge or freezer because that’s where whole foods belong when not being eaten!

What Are the Benefits of a Natural Prenatal Vitamin?

A high quality prenatal multivitamin is beneficial before, during, and after pregnancy.

A prenatal vitamin can help offset the imbalance of vitamins and minerals that occurs from life’s stressors and the times we’re not able to eat as well as we should.

It also has the potential to dramatically improve the health of a developing fetus.  

For example, the 400-800 mcg of folate found in a typical prenatal vitamin can reduce the risk of birth defects or congenital disabilities involving the brain and spine. 

A common question we receive is: Why can’t you take a regular multivitamin in place of a prenatal?

Answer: Well-designed prenatal vitamins cater to the specific needs of gestation, which often require higher amounts of certain vitamins and nutrients that are not found in non-prenatal vitamins. 

Additionally, women need less vitamin A during pregnancy, more vitamin D, and more folate than what is found in your typical multivitamin. Choline is critical for brain development. Additional iodine is necessary for the production of mom and baby’s thyroid hormones. DHA from Omega 3 supports fetal brain and nervous system development.[1,2,3,4]

The best natural prenatal vitamins have you covered in all these crucial areas.

And by the way, some of us eat really well, but we eat the same exact foods every day out of convenience. A prenatal vitamin can offset the imbalance that occurs over time. 

As one of my favorite colleagues says, your #1 goal should be to “fertilize the garden” so your beautiful bundle can thrive on a nutritious feast from day one. 

Long story short: Think of a well-made, all-natural prenatal vitamin as an insurance policy. It is truly one of the most effective ways to optimize the human body for conception. 

When to Start Taking Prenatal Vitamins 

“Ahh, I’m pregnant! When should I start taking prenatal vitamins?!” 

I love this question because I don’t usually agree with other healthcare providers’ answers. Unfortunately, many tell their patients or clients they’re unnecessary until one becomes pregnant.

Wrong.

In fact, not only are prenatal vitamins necessary during pregnancy, but prior to conception can be an even more critical time. At the very minimum, consider taking a professional-grade prenatal vitamin three months before you plan on conceiving. 

Some experts even recommend starting your prenatal one year before your desired conception date, as this is one of the best ways to prepare your body for one of life’s most intense and rewarding marathons.

Personally, I started taking my prenatal 3 months before trying with each of our children. With our 2nd, long story short, I ended up being on it way over a year before things finally worked out. But, the supplementation started 3 months before trying to make a go at it.

So, to sum up the question, “When to start taking prenatal vitamins,” you ask? As soon as you can if you’re pregnant and about 3 months or so before you plan to start trying. Don’t beat yourself up if you think you may be already pregnant or haven’t started one yet, or you’re already a few months along. Just focus on what you can do starting today, and remember that taking a quality natural prenatal vitamin has the potential to dramatically improve the health of you and your developing fetus so starting sooner than later is best.

Pro tip: Pregnancy can cause some unwelcome constipation, especially in the beginning. Thus, there are a lot of benefits of probiotics during pregnancy. If you want. To learn a bit more about what may be a good fit for you, we have a great post on The Best Probiotics and The Best Prebiotic Foods that may help take the Browns to the Superbowl if you know what we mean.[5,6,7]

How We Select The Best Natural Prenatal Vitamins

And now, for the moment you have all been waiting for, a list of the best natural prenatal vitamins. Please note these supplements and their manufacturers were chosen based on three categories:

1. Composition: We want the best profile of vitamins and minerals in the appropriate doses.
2. Quality: Here at FWDfuel, we do not stand for artificial sweeteners, fake food dyes, and funky fillers
3. 3rd Party Testing: Anyone can say their vitamin is the best, but 3rd party certification can actually vouch for the claim.

Note: please be sure to consult your doctor before beginning any form of nutrition supplementation. It is essential to have a provider who knows your unique medical history, symptoms, possible medication interactions, etc.

(Usual disclaimer: FWDfuel Sports Nutrition is a participant in the Fullscrip Associates program as well as the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.)

The Best Natural Prenatal Vitamins List

Best Overall / Most Comprehensive / Best Individually Packaged Prenatal	Prenatal Complete with DHA by Ortho Molecular
Best Prenatal with Only 3 Capsules (most have 4-8)	Basic Prenatal by Thorne
Best Prenatal Powder	Vanilla Prenatal Multi Powder by needed.
Best Prenatal for Nauseua	Prenatal Complete with DHA by Ortho Molecular
Best Natural Prenatal Vitamin Without Iron	Women’s Prenatal Multivitamin by FullWell
Best Organic Prenatal Multivitamin	MyKind Organics Prenatal Once Daily Whole Food Multivitamin by Garden of Life
Best Prenatal with DHA	Prenatal Complete with DHA by Ortho Molecular
Best Stand Alone DHA Supplement	Prenatal DHA by Nordic Naturals
Best Prenatal Gummy (If you must)

1. Prenatal Complete with DHA by Ortho Molecular

• The perfect packaging for “baby brain” because although you might have left your coffee on the top of the car and driven away, you don’t have to think twice about what vitamins you need to take.
• Easy to see how many capsules you have taken/ yet to take for the day
• Uses Ferrochel Iron that has been shown to be more easily absorbed
• Contains 5-methylfolate an activated form of folate
• Uses Albion Minerals that are easy on the stomach to reduce nausea

Ortho Molecular Prenatal Complete with DHA was my personal preferred multivitamin during pregnancy…Twice.. and for all the craziness that happened in between.

I loved this product because I would just rip off a packet, throw it in my purse and head out the door, hoping to avoid dry heaving in public that day (Not sure why its called morning sickness because I was ill all day!).

The formulation is very comprehensive. I found it to be easy to digest, it included fish oil, and it came in daily snap-off packs where each capsule was individually packaged – perfect for those on the go and those experiencing hormonal shifts, seemingly on the hour. 

It was also nice having the individual packs because you don’t get a strong stench when opening up the individually packed capsules, which can further induce nausea.

The Prenatal Complete with DHA natural prenatal vitamins were game-changer for me because some days I felt so sick I could not even swallow 1 capsule, and on the days that I felt well, I had to space out all of the capsules in order to not feel nauseous. The pill pop-out packaging makes it easy to see what you’ve taken for the day. Great for avoiding waste as well. 

Prenatal Complete with DHA by Ortho Molecular Products is available on Amazon, but a better option is to 👉purchase on Fullscript👈, which is nearly $46 cheaper 🤯 when you use our affiliate link to create your Fullscript account (there is zero cost to you, but we may earn a commission which helps support our website). You will also receive 20% off all Fullscript orders for life when you create an account with our link.

Additionally, all supplements shipped from Fullscript come directly from temperature-controlled warehouses and are shipped in temperature-controlled packaging.  IT IS CRUCIAL TO PREVENT VITAMINS FROM EXCESSIVE HEAT EXPOSURE. Also, there has been a massive spike in counterfeit supplements being sold on Amazon. For this reason, we buy all our supplements, especially prenatal supplements, directly from Fullscript.

If you want to save money and purchase the best prenatal supplement on Fullscript, simply use our link to create your account. This link will take you directly to our favorite natural prenatal supplements. Free shipping on orders over $49 too.🙂

2. Basic Prenatal by Thorne

• Contains zero-added fillers found in the most common prenatal vitamins
• Includes iron, calcium, and magnesium.

Basic Prenatal by Thorne secures a well-deserved spot at #2 on our list, distinguished as a professional-grade prenatal vitamin. Crafted with the most absorbable form of vitamins and minerals, this powerhouse supplement ensures optimal absorption by your tissues. What sets it apart is its efficiency—only 3 capsules a day deliver a potent dose.

As a frontrunner in the supplement industry, Thorne is highly respected due to their innovation, rigorous 3rd-party testing, and the creation of unique formulations. Our endorsement of their products is rooted in the consistent quality they provide, and. we regularly use and recommend their prodcuts to clients. While Thorne Research Basic Prenatal is exceptional, our #1 choice goes to Ortho Molecular Prenatal Complete with DHA due to their individually packed supplements for their convenience—allowing for easy, on-the-go access and simplifying our daily supplement routine.

You may purchase Thorne Research Basic Prenatal on Amazon. A better option, however, is to 👉buy it through Fullscript👈, which is nearly $20 cheaper 🤯when you use our affiliate link to create your Fullscript account.

3. Women’s Prenatal Multivitamin by FullWell

• Best natural prenatal vitamin WITHOUT iron
• Contains active, non-synthetic folate and vitamin B12
• Contains more vitamin D and choline
• Includes chelated minerals that provide superior absorption and extra glycine to help meet the demands of pregnancy. 
• FullWell Prenatal also goes above and beyond current guidelines, exceeding standards for heavy metals and other contaminants.
• Non-GMO & Allergen Friendly

The Women’s Prenatal Multivitamin by FullWell makes the list as it is one of the few prenatal multivitamins on the market created by a functionally trained registered dietitian specializing in women’s health. Who is better suited to formulate one of the best natural prenatal vitamins than a female functional dietitian?

This is one of the few all-natural prenatal vitamins with the right profile of nutrients, in evidence-based dosages, and in the best form for absorption (aka bioavailability). Many women have reported zero nausea from this prenatal because the nutrients are spread across 8 capsules each day.💃  

If you’re looking for a natural prenatal vitamin without iron, this is, hands down, your top pick. This company does not believe every pregnant mother needs to supplement with iron and that those that do, should have the dosage monitored and determined by their healthcare provider. Additionally, iron. can interfere with the absorption of some nutrients so it may be best to take iron at a separate time from your prenatal. Thus, not including in the prenatal may be best for mom and baby.

One last thing to highlight is that this brand is so forthcoming with their third-party testing that they provide an email you can use to inquire about the testing performed on the specific batch of vitamins you purchased (aka your “lot” of vitamins).

4. Baby and Me Multivitamin by Innate Response

• Contains FoodState Iron, a form of iron that is typically better tolerated and, therefore, does not result in constipation or nausea. 
• Requires only 2 capsules/day! 
• Can be taken anytime of day, even on an empty stomach
• Made with an active form of B6 and methylated folate and B12 for those who desire a methylated form of those vitamins.

Baby and Me Multivitamin by Innate Response is the favorite of moms to be with digestive issues. This food-based multivitamin was formulated by one of the most well-known physicians in the Integrative and Functional space, Dr. Tieraona Low Dog, and is easier to digest than most prenatals.A Anytime someone is looking for a “natural” supplement or one with few or no synthetic ingredients or fillers, Innate Response should be at the top of the list.

Please note, Baby and Me does not contain calcium or magnesium. Therefore, this prenatal is best suited for those who suffer from digestive issues but are able to eat a fairly well-balanced diet.

Save nearly $15 by 👉buying it through Fullscript👈.

5. Vanilla Prenatal Multi Powder by needed.

• Easy to digest
• Only Prenatal Multi to offer the full 550 mg RDA for Choline to support baby’s brain development
• Does not include omega-3 or Iron so these will need to be supplemented with separately

Vanilla Prenatal Multi Powder by needed. is the savior for those who feel too ill to swallow capsules or are on the hunt for prenatal vitamins without iron. The needed. prenatal multi powder is also excellent if you don’t have much of an appetite and want to consume the most nutrient-dense calories as humanly possible. This powder is non-GMO and vegan. 

One of the only, if not the only natural prenatal vitamins out there with a full recommended daily allowance of choline (more than double other brands), this brand really fine-tuned their formula. In fact, they used the testing of thousands of mother’s nutrient levels to determine the best nutrient levels for their formula. You can see here how their levels stacks up compared to other common multivitamins.

Save over $7 by 👉buying it through Fullscript👈 vs Amazon.

6. Vitamin Code Raw Prenatal

• Affordable,
• Readily available in many local grocery stores 
• Contains a special digestive blend of probiotics and enzymes
• Made from 20+ organically grown powdered fruits and vegetables yet still contains 27mg iron and 800mcg folate. 

Vitamin Code Raw Prenatal is the winner for our “quick, run to the grocery store” because I need a natural prenatal multivitamin fast!

Garden of Life Prenatal Vitamin are an awesome, food-based prenatal vitamin that is good for smooth digestibility. 

What really makes the “RAW” prenatal unique is that it goes by the philosophy that when raw fruits and vegetables are cooked, many of the nutrients are lost. While we don’t completely agree with this, we appreciate their philosophy that they use temperatures below 115 degrees Fahrenheit to develop their RAW vitamins in an effort to maintain potency and maximize nutrients. So, clearly a “RAW” vitamin belongs on the best natural prenatal vitamins list!

7. Prenatal Multivitamin Tablets by Nordic Naturals

• Non-GMO & vegetarian
• Only 2 tablets a day

A post about the best natural prenatal vitamins would be incomplete without having a supplement from world-famous fish oil supplement company Nordica Naturals.

Nordic Naturals made a name for itself by bring pure fish oils to a market filled with low-concentration, contaminant-filled options. They’re an innovative company that focuses on purity and even shares its certificate of analysis for the purity of its products.💪

8. MyKind Organics Prenatal Once Daily Whole Food Multivitamin by Garden of Life

MyKind Organics Prenatal Once Daily Whole Food Multivitamin by Garden of Life is one of our top picks for all-natural prenatal vitamins because it is made from USDA organic whole foods, it is entirely plant-based and Non-GMO Project Verified. 

A few fun facts: It contains ginger and lemon peel to help fight nausea, and is only 1 capsule a day!!! This is a record for a prenatal vitamin. 

However, please note that some of the nutrients are not as high in terms of dosage compared to your average prenatal vitamin. For example the one daily capsule only includes 18mg iron and 600 mg folate. 

Prenatal Gummies with Iron

On the hunt for prenatal gummy vitamins with iron?

Surprise!! Nothing of quality exists!!!

Why? It would taste like death in gummy form, plus, it would be near impossible for the manufacturer to include a high enough dose, primarily to accommodate the second half of pregnancy when iron needs are exponentially higher.

We know some other blog posts lists them, hoping to get you to click and buy, but, we want you to have a healthy pregnancy. Do NOT use a gummy for your prenatal, it will be very incomplete!

Womp, wompppp.

Prenatal Vitamins with Folate

Maybe your doctor has requested that you look for a prenatal vitamin with folate. This is so important as proper folate intake is critical in order to prevent neural tube defects in that sweet baby. The good news however, is that adequate folate (400-800 mcg) can be found in every prenatal vitamin on our list!

Be sure to glance back at the top of this article for the best natural prenatal vitamins with folate. 

By the way, folate is the more absorbable form of folic acid (vitamin B9).

Best Natural Prenatal Gummies / Chews (Without Iron)

It hurts my soul a little to be recommending a prenatal gummie. However, as someone who repeatedly puked and was nauseous 24/7 for 17 weeks straight, I certainly understand the desire.

I promise, I am not trying to hate on these delicious bite-sized treats, but the root problem here is that it’s not possible for a gummy multivitamin or prenatal gummies to include all of the necessary nutrients to support optimal health for mom and baby.

Plus, more companies than not tend to add unnecessary fillers and additives to make the product look and taste more appealing.

Although, I will say the silver lining is that because prenatal gummies tend to be so easy and fun to ingest, compliance usually doubles.

At the end of the day, your “all-natural prenatal gummy” is not going to provide the entire panel of nutrients that you need, BUT as long as it is not laced with added sugar and food dye, a few extra vitamins and minerals each day is better than no vitamins and minerals, especially if your diet is not well balanced!

The Best Prenatal Gummies

1. SmartyPants Organics Prenatal Complete Gummy

SmartyPants Prenatal Formula Daily Gummy Multivitamin is the top pick because it is one of the few that contains added omega 3 and choline for a baby’s brain development and does not include fake food dyes or artificial sweeteners.

This natural prenatal multivitamin is certified organic and vegan. The dosage is 4 gummies daily and may be taken with or without food.

Another bonus: this is a 3rd party tested multivitamin. 

2. Mykind Organics Prenatal Fruit and Vitamin Chews by Garden of Life

Garden of Life Mykind Organics Prenatal Multivitamin is a fan favorite across the board due to its excellent taste and pure ingredients. In fact, the pectin used to make this organic prenatal gummie is made from apple and organic orange peels. 

This all-natural prenatal multivitamin boasts 9 whole fruits per jar and is completely vegan. For those interested in certifications, the Mykind Organics Prenatal Multivitamin is Certified USDA organic and non-GMO project verified, certified vegan, certified gluten-free and kosher, no artificial flavors or colorings.

Best Stand-Alone Prenatal DHA Supplement

Depending on which prenatal you choose, you may need a stand-alone prenatal supplement. Keep in mind our top pick for a comprehensive, low nausea prenatal is the Prenatal Complete with DHA by Ortho Molecular which includes a DHA capsule in each individual package.

It has been well established in research tha tmothers that consume more fish or supplement with DHA have children who score higher on tests. So, be sure not to skip out on DHA, its super important![8]

1. Zero Sugar Prenatal DHA Gummy Chews by Nordic Naturals

Alright, and now for those of you who dry heave at the thought of swallowing capsules of fish oil, I would suggest Zero Sugar Prenatal DHA Gummy Chews by Nordic Naturals. Remember when we said Nordic Naturals is the king (or queen) of pure, contaminant-free fish oil?

These gummies are some of the best prenatal vitamins with DHA. With 145 mg of EPA and 355 DHA and a total of 600 mg of Omega-3s, this supplement far exceeds the minimum of 200 mg, and is ideal for those who want the optimal dose. it’s a helpful supplement in addition to the incorporation of flaxseed, walnuts, and fatty fish into your weekly regimen!

2. Prenatal DHA by Nordic Naturals (Small Capsules)

Last but not least, if you prefer to swallow capsules, Nordic Naturals made smaller, easy-to-swallow ones that contain 205 mg of EPA and 480 mg DHA with a total of 830mg of Omega-3’s.

The Prenatal DHA by Nordic Naturals are tiny and easy to swallow, and they have the most ideal dosage to support mothers as well as the developing brains and nervous systems of a fetus or nursing child.

Summary

On our list of the best prenatal vitamins on the market, you will find well-rounded, comprehensive vitamins that will tremendously benefit mom and baby.  

Please keep in mind that quality supplementation will never replace a poorly constructed diet.

If you find that specific health issues are hindering you from eating properly during pregnancy, consult the expertise of a functionally trained registered dietitian. We’ve been in your shoes and have both the experience and training. to help you reduce nausea, boost energy and digestion, and optimize your health.

A dietitian can help you focus on the best anti-inflammatory foods, test for vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and also teach certain eating regimens such as a heavily supervised elimination diet to help alleviate symptoms associated with gastrointestinal imbalance or autoimmune disease during pregnancy. 

At the end of the day, I hope you are able to find something that works for you and most importantly, helps to nourish your baby!

Cheers!

References:

1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/274
2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29299
3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/318
4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21364848/
5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25398206/
6. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32575163/
7. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30404227/
8. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20715595/