This post is in partnership with Perelel. I only endorse products I believe in and personally use.
Black Friday is the perfect time to lock in amazing deals on essentials—especially prenatal vitamins! Why wait until the New Year to prioritize your health when you can start now?
If you’re pregnant or planning to be, chances are you’ve come across the popular brands Perelel and Ritual. Both offer comprehensive formulas to support a healthy pregnancy, but they come with different features. So, which one deserves a spot in your cart this Black Friday? Let’s dive into a side-by-side comparison to help you make the best choice for your health and budget.
What should you look for in a prenatal vitamin?
When you're pregnant, your body needs extra nutrients to support a growing baby. But between nausea, food aversions, and the struggle to get everything you need from diet alone, taking a prenatal vitamin becomes very important.
Nutrient must-haves
- Folate: crucial for preventing neural tube defects in the early stages of pregnancy
- Iron: supports your baby's growth and development while preventing anemia in mama
- Both DHA and EPA: Omega-3 fatty acids that support your baby's brain development (it’s important to have both because EPA may play a role in placental transport and the absorption of DHA)
- Choline: supports your baby's entire nervous system
- Vitamin D and calcium: to support bone development
Additional considerations
Look for a vitamin that is easy to swallow. There is nothing more unpleasant than swallowing a horse pill, especially in those early days of pregnancy nausea. Speaking of… some vitamins can be rough on your digestion, cause nausea, or can have unpleasant side effects. Find one that's easy to tolerate.
Criteria #1: Formula
Perelel
This is the only prenatal vitamin founded by an OB/GYN, so I trust that it's formulated with the best interests of both mama and baby. What sets Perelel apart is their tailored approach, offering complete prenatal vitamin routines for each stage of pregnancy. Perelel recognizes that each trimester is unique and the body – and baby – goes through drastic changes trimester by trimester. I’m seriously shocked this is the first brand to recognize this!
| Nutrient | Perelel 1st Trimester Pack | Perelel 2nd Trimester Pack | Perelel 3rd Trimester Pack |
| Stage-specific supplementation | anti-nausea blend of vitamin B6 and ginger root to ease morning sickness | 200mg of calcium for fetal skeletal development130mg of magnesium to help reduce pregnancy related leg cramps | probiotic with 5 billion CFU for gut health, vaginal support and other positive indicators for a healthy pregnancy |
| Folate | 1,700 mcg DFE | 700 mcg DFE | 700 mcg DFE |
| Iron | 15 mg | 15 mg | 15 mg |
| DHA | 250 mg | 250 mg | 250 mg |
| EPA | 100 mg | 100 mg | 100 mg |
| Choline | 120 mg | 120 mg | 120 mg |
| Vitamin D | 2,000 IU | 2,000 IU | 2,000 IU |
| Calcium | 0 mg | 200 mg | 100 mg |
| Magnesium | 30 mg | 230 mg | 130 mg |
Ritual
Ritual’s focus is to keep a prenatal vitamin as simple as possible. It includes 12 nutrients aimed at supporting expecting mothers, but doesn’t include extras like calcium or probiotics found in Perelel. (You can purchase Ritual probiotics separately for an extra cost.)
| Nutrient | Ritual Prenatal |
| Folate | 1000 mcg DFE |
| Iron | 18 mg |
| DHA | 350 mg |
| EPA | 0 mg |
| Choline | 55 mg |
| Vitamin D | 2,000 IU |
| Calcium | 0 mg |
| Magnesium | 32 mg |
Formula Winner: Perelel
Criteria #2: Ingredient Quality
Perelel
- Absorption: Contains activated and easy-to-absorb nutrient forms, plus they're formulated with delayed release capsule technology to minimize nausea.
- Ingredient claims: Non-GMO, free of dairy, nuts, soy, and sugar, and no colorants or synthetic fillers.
- Third-party testing: Yes. Made in FDA registered and inspected facilities. Each batch of vitamins receives a Certificate of Analysis to ensure product quality. They also conduct Raw Materials Testing and Production Testing.
- Research-backed: Every ingredient is formulated by doctors, research-backed and in clinically-tested doses.
- Sustainability: Shipping materials and packaging are 100% recyclable. Perelel also has a program to recycle your daily sachets.
Ritual
- Absorption: Contains activated and easy-to-absorb nutrient forms, plus they're formulated with delayed release capsule technology for optimal absorption.
- Ingredient claims: Non-GMO, vegan, gluten-free, free of major allergens, and no artificial colorants.
- Third-party testing: Yes. In addition to full ingredient traceability, Ritual requires Certificates of Analysis from all suppliers.
- Research-backed: Scientists, nutritionists and medical doctors guide product innovation and clinical research.
- Sustainability: Shipping materials are 100% recyclable.
Ingredient Quality Winner: Tied
Criteria #3: Capsule Size
I am terrible at swallowing large pills and would much rather take 3 smaller capsules than 2 large capsules.
Perelel
The core prenatal vitamin capsules are sized 2 cm x 0.6 cm. There are 2 of these core prenatal capsules to swallow, plus 3 smaller capsules, making 5 in total. Given these are packaged in individual daily sachets, and the core prenatal capsule isn’t large, I found taking these pretty seamless despite the quantity.
Ritual
The prenatal vitamin capsules are sized 2.4 cm x 0.8 cm. There are 2 of these quite large capsules to swallow. The reason they are larger is because Ritual uses a nested design, separating the dry ingredients inside a capsule sitting inside the oil blend DHA. Honestly, I just couldn’t get these down.
Capsule Size Winner: Perelel
Criteria #4: Cost & Subscription Perks
Perelel
Perelel is doing their biggest sale of the year: 25% off everything sitewide with code BLACKFRIDAY. They are offering this deal from November 15-December 1. Pro tip: Use your leftover HSA/FSA dollars! Perelel’s prenatal vitamins are eligible!
- One time purchase: $46.68 or $1.46 per serving ($0.29 per pill)
- First billing: $37.13 or $1.24 per serving ($0.25 per pill)
Additionally, Perelel knows you're a busy mom and makes the subscription process as hassle-free as can be.
- Auto-renew monthly subscription
- Auto-updates to required trimester packs based on your due date, with a roll-over to the Postpartum Pack after your due date
- Customer portal and customer service to help you cancel or modify anytime
- Save 15% on subscription orders, free shipping, 30-day guarantee
- Exclusive discounts from brands like Coterie, Evereden, Lovevery, Lalo, Jenny Kayne and more
- Dedicated emails with educational content based on your exact stage
Every order comes with 30 individual packets (30 packs in a box) so you can easily grab them on the go —whether you're tossing one into your bag after a morning pilates class, packing them for a quick work trip, or taking them along on your babymoon.
Ritual
Ritual is offering 40% off the first month's subscription during their Black Friday Sale.
- One time purchase: $39 or $1.30 per serving ($0.65 per pill)
- First month’s subscription: $23.40 or $.78 per serving ($0.39 per pill)
Once enrolled, Ritual offers a straightforward subscription model.
- Auto-renew monthly subscription
- Cancel or modify anytime
- Free shipping, 30-day guarantee
Cost and Subscription Winner: Tied Perelel and Ritual
*While Ritual ends up costing less, since each Perelel sachet includes a complete vitamin routine, the price per pill ends up being more economical. Also, the subscription benefits provided by Perelel adds massive value making this a tie.
My pick for Prenatal Vitamins on Black Friday is Perelel.
I absolutely love Perelel vitamins because they offer all-around better benefits IMO including:
✅Superior trimester-based formulation
✅Doctor-formulated and research backed
✅Easy on digestion
✅Third-party tested
✅Smaller capsule size
✅Convenient for travel and taking on-the-go
✅Hassle-free subscription and exclusive subscriber perks
Get 25% off your purchase of Perelel Vitamins: BLACKFRIDAY
Other Perelel products to stock up on during the sale
If you’re looking to make the most of the Black Friday sale, here are a few more of my favorite Perelel products:
- Synbiotic greens powder: To no one's surprise, I did HEAVY research on greens powder, and not only is this one pregnancy and breastfeeding safe, it has spore-based probiotics which are proven to be more effective.
- Men’s multi-support pack: Designed by top fertility doctors, this multivitamin supports overall health, energy, muscle function, and key factors related to male fertility, making it a powerhouse supplement for the men in your life
- Sleep support: The inability to take different medications or supplements during pregnancy can be frustrating. This natural sleep aid not only supports muscle relaxation and quality of sleep, it is also pregnancy and breastfeeding safe!
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