Raise your hand if you know the importance of taking a prenatal when you’re pregnant 🙋♀️ I think it’s common knowledge these days… but deciding on the best prenatal vitamin can feel confusing, and just another thing on your long pregnancy to-do list.
I’ve noticed two popular brands that have been popping up all over Instagram: Perelel and Ritual. While both offer support, they each come with their own set of features. But which one is truly better? Let’s take a closer look at both brands side-by-side to help you make an informed decision when choosing a prenatal vitamin.
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 morning sickness 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. As a mom of two, this just makes so much sense!
| Nutrient | Perelel 1st Trimester Pack | Perelel 2nd Trimester Pack | Perelel 3rd Trimester Pack |
| Folate | 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 |
| Extras | 1000 mcg DFE Folate (1,700 mcg DFE Folate total), anti-nausea blend of vitamin B6 and ginger root | n/a | probiotic with 5 billion CFU |
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 doctor-recommended, 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 Safety 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: Subscription Model & Perks
Perelel
Perelel knows you're a busy mom and makes it 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 (they even account for shipping time)
- Customer portal and customer service to help you cancel or modify anytime
- Save 15% on subscription orders, free shipping, 30-day guarantee, exclusive discounts to Coterie, Evereden, Lovevery, Lalo and Jenny Kayne
- Dedicated emails with educational content based on your exact stage
- Access to their community forum to connect with other women in the same 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 has a straightforward subscription model.
- Auto-renew monthly subscription
- Cancel or modify anytime
- Free shipping, 30-day guarantee
Subscription Winner: Perelel
My pick for Prenatal Vitamins is Perelel.
I absolutely love Perelel prenatal vitamins over Ritual prenatal 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
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