Perelel Prenatal vs. Needed Prenatal Multivitamin Pro: Which is Best?

When we decided to get pregnant, I knew I needed to add a prenatal vitamin to my daily routine. I of course turned to Amazon and Target, but with so many options out there, how do you know which prenatal is actually the best and will check all the boxes for mom and baby's nutritional needs? 

After doing some initial market research, I quickly realized that not all prenatals are created equal, some of the better options you can’t find at typical retailers, and some are definitely better than others.  So I dug into the details and compared two popular options — Perelel Prenatal Pack vs. Needed Prenatal Multi Capsules— to help you figure out which prenatal vitamin is right for you.

What should you look for in a prenatal vitamin?

During pregnancy, your body needs extra vitamins and minerals to support both your health and your growing baby (1). Prenatal supplements help fill those gaps by providing the essential nutrients for a healthy pregnancy. When choosing a prenatal vitamin, these nutrients should be non-negotiables, so make sure they are included:

• Folate: Prevents neural tube defects (2)  in the early stages of pregnancy and supports growth.
• Iron: Supports brain development, improves red blood cell production to carry oxygen, and prevents anemia (3) in mothers.
• DHA and EPA: These omega-3 fatty acids support your baby's brain development and may increase a baby’s birth weight and lengthen the time they stay in the womb (4).
• Choline: Supports your baby's entire nervous system.
• Vitamin D: Plays a role in bone development and the immune system. 
• Calcium: Builds strong bones and teeth.

A closer look at Perelel Prenatal Pack vs. Needed Prenatal Multivitamin Pro

Criteria #1: Formula

Perelel Prenatal

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 different 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. This means you can purchase a 1st trimester prenatal pack, then move to packs for the next two trimesters. Each with specific nutrients for healthy development. Here’s a breakdown of the nutrient formulation in each packet:

Nutrient	Perelel 1st Trimester Pack	Perelel 2nd Trimester Pack	Perelel 3rd Trimester Pack
Stage-specific supplementation	Extra folate to support early pregnancy, anti-nausea blend of vitamin B6 and ginger root to ease morning sickness	200mg of calcium for fetal skeletal development, 230 mg 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	1,525  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

Needed Prenatal Multivitamin Pro

This prenatal vitamin is designed for use before, during, and after pregnancy. It provides highly absorbable vitamins and minerals, along with antioxidants like zeaxanthin and lutein. 

However, Needed does not include iron or omega-3s, which must be purchased separately. This is intentional. Their reasoning? They believe a truly effective dose of omega-3s is simply too large to squeeze into a standard multivitamin, and that iron supplementation should be personalized alongside a healthcare provider.

 While that tailored approach works for some, I personally prefer the simplicity of a comprehensive, all-in-one pack.

Nutrient	Amount
Folate	918 mcg DFE
Iron	0 mg
DHA	0 mg
EPA	0 mg
Choline	400 mg
Vitamin D	4,000 IU
Calcium	200 mg
Magnesium	200 mg
Vitamin A	5,000 IU
Vitamin C	300 mg
Vitamin E	30 mg
Vitamin K2	90 mcg
Thiamin / Vitamin B1	5 mg
Riboflavin / Vitamin B2	20 mg
Niacin / Vitamin B3	25 mg
Vitamin B6	40 mg
Vitamin B12	200 mcg
Biotin	350 mcg
Pantothenic Acid / Vitamin B5	150 mg
Iodine	290 mcg
Zinc	25 mg
Selenium	200 mcg
Copper	1 mg
Manganese	5 mg
Chromium	120 mcg
Molybdenum	100 mcg
Potassium	100 mg
Mixed Tocopherols	67 mg
Lutein	6 mg
Zeaxanthin	1.2 mg

*Needed does offer an additional Multivitamin and Prenatal Powder

Formula Winner: Perelel Prenatal

Criteria #2: Ingredient quality

Perelel Prenatal

• Absorption: Contains activated and easy-to-absorb nutrient forms, plus they're formulated with delayed release capsule technology to minimize nausea, especially in the early days of pregnancy.
• 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-baked: Every ingredient is formulated by doctors, research-backed, and formulated in clinically-tested doses.

Needed Prenatal Multivitamin Pro Capsules

• Absorption: Contains activated and easy-to-absorb nutrient forms.
• Ingredient claims: Vegetarian, non-GMO,  free of eggs, fish, milk, peanuts, sesame, shellfish, soy, tree nut allergens, wheat, and gluten.
• Third-party testing: Yes. Clean Label Project Purity Award.
• Research-baked: Every nutrient and form vetted by perinatal experts.

Ingredient quality winner: Tied!

Criteria #3: Capsule size and ease of consumption

Perelel Prenatal Pack

There are 2 core prenatal capsules, 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.  

Needed Prenatal Multivitamin Pro

The dose for your daily prenatal vitamins is 8 capsules, which can be taken all at once or split between meals. Eight capsules is a lot, and I wouldn't want to remember to take them multiple times a day if the dose were divided. Plus, you still need to take an additional iron and omega-3 supplement. 

Capsule Size and Ease Winner: Perelel Prenatal

Criteria #4: Cost & value

Perelel Prenatal

• One time purchase: $58.24 or $1.94 per dose
• Subscribe and save 15%: $49.50/month or $1.65 per dose

Needed Prenatal Multivitamin Pro

• One time purchase: $59.99, or $2 per dose
• 1 month delivery: $40.50, or $1.35 per dose [25% off first month]
• 1 month delivery: $53.99, or $1.80 per dose 
• Keep in mind that this prenatal doesn't include iron or omega-3s, so those would need to be purchased separately.

Cost and value: Perelel Prenatal Pack

My pick for prenatal vitamins is Perelel!

My answer for Perelel Prenatal Pack vs. Needed? — Perelel.

When it comes to choosing a prenatal supplement, I prioritize nutrient content, convenience, and tolerability. With Perelel's all-in-one prenatal support, with nausea minimization, I don't have to worry about adding anything else to my routine or how to accommodate nutrient needs for a specific stage of pregnancy.

✅ Stand out trimester-based formulation 

✅ Comprehensive nutrition

✅ Doctor-formulated and research backed

✅ Easy on digestion and anti-nausea formulated 

✅ Third-party testing 

✅ Easy subscription model

✅ Superior cost and value

The NMM team are all big fans of Perelel. From their baby making bundle, to knowing they have us covered through all the stages of motherhood and beyond in postpartum with their essential vitamins, and even adding their greens powder to help optimize our health and wellness, Perelel is a brand we keep coming back to again and again. If you try any of their products, feel free to send me a DM over on Instagram. I'd love to hear what you're trying and your thoughts.

1. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8229801/
2. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Folate-Consumer/
3. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iron-Consumer/
4. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Omega3FattyAcids-Consumer/

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