Which prenatal vitamin is the best?
This post is in partnership with Perelel. I only endorse products I believe in and personally use.
When I first found out I was pregnant, I frantically grabbed a random prenatal off the shelf at Target and stuck with it throughout my pregnancy. But what I didn’t realize at the time is that not all prenatals are created equal.
The second time around, I was more mindful of what I chose. So, after doing some thorough research, I’m sharing a comparison of four popular prenatal vitamins I considered—Perelel, Olly, One A Day, and Nature Made—to help you figure out which one is right for you
Spoiler alert: Perelel comes out on top and I got you a 20% off subscription code: NMM20.
Criteria #1: Formula
Prenatal formulation is important because it supports your baby’s growth and development, and keeps you nourished throughout pregnancy. When choosing a prenatal vitamin, make sure it includes these key nutrients:
- Folate: supports growth and prevents neural tube defects
- Iron: supports brain development, improves red blood cell production to carry oxygen, and prevents anemia 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
- Choline: supports your baby's entire nervous system
- Vitamin D: supports bone development and the immune system
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 to nutrition, offering complete prenatal vitamin routines for each trimester of pregnancy. Perelel recognizes that each trimester is unique and the body – and baby – goes through drastic changes trimester by trimester. Here’s a breakdown of the nutrient formulation in each pack:
| Nutrient | Perelel 1st Trimester Pack | Perelel 2nd Trimester Pack | Perelel 3rd Trimester Pack |
| Folate | 1525 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 |
| Stage-Specific Ingredients | 30 mg magnesium, anti-nausea blend of vitamin B6 and ginger root | 200 mg calcium, 230 mg magnesium | 100 mg calcium, 130 mg magnesium, probiotic with 5 billion CFU |
Olly Prenatal:
Olly Prenatal is a single formulation for pregnancy in a gummy form.
- Folate: 667 mcg DFE
- Iron: None
- DHA: 50 mg
- EPA: 10 mg
- Choline: 10 mg
- Vitamin D: 800 IU
- Extras: None
One A Day Prenatal:
One A Day Prenatal is a single formulation for pregnancy.
- Folate: 1330 mcg DFE
- Iron: 27 mg
- DHA: 200 mg
- EPA: 35 mg
- Choline: None
- Vitamin D: 600 IU
- Extras: 40 mg magnesium
Nature Made Prenatal:
Nature Made Prenatal is a single formulation for pregnancy.
- Folate: 1330 mcg DFE
- Iron: 27 mg
- DHA: 200 mg
- EPA: 60 mg
- Choline: None
- Vitamin D: 1000 IU
- Extras: 150 mg calcium, 45 mg magnesium
Formula Winner: Perelel
Criteria #2: Ingredient Quality
Perelel Prenatal:
- Contains activated and easy-to-absorb nutrient forms
- Formulated with delayed release capsule technology to minimize nausea
- Non-GMO, free of dairy, nuts, soy, and sugar, and no colorants or synthetic fillers
- Third party tested, made in FDA registered and inspected facilities, each batch of vitamins receives a Certificate of Analysis to ensure product quality, and Perelel conducts Raw Materials Testing and Production Testing. Perelel has earned us certification from the Clean Label Project, a leading nonprofit that sets one of the industry’s highest standards for consumer transparency on heavy metals, pesticides, and other contaminants. They have also earned Clean Label Project’s highest honor, the Purity Award.
- Every ingredient is doctor-recommended, research-backed, and comes in clinically-tested doses
Olly Prenatal:
- Contains 4 grams of added sugar per serving from glucose syrup and sugar
- No synthetic flavors or colors
- Gluten-free
- Third-party tested for quality in laboratories in the US
- NSF certified, which means the product has been tested for quality, safety, and accurate labeling meeting standards for contaminants and ingredients
One A Day Prenatal:
- Free of artificial sweeteners & flavors, synthetic colors, gluten, dairy, high-fructose corn syrup
- Undergoes over 100 quality checks
Nature Made Prenatal:
- No artificial flavors
- Gluten-free
- USP verified, which means it has been verified for quality standards for identity, strength, purity, and performance, as verified by an independent, scientific nonprofit organization
Ingredient Quality Winner: Perelel
Criteria #3: Capsule Size
Personally, I am terrible at swallowing large pills and would much rather take a bunch of smaller capsules than a massive capsule.
Perelel Prenatal:
- Daily dose: 2 core prenatal capsules + 3 smaller capsules (5 in total) in each trimester pack
- The prenatal capsules are slimmer than the other prenatals tested, so even though you have to take two, I found them easier to get down. The other 3 capsules are small and easy to manage.
Olly Prenatal:
- Daily dose: 2 gummies
- You chew these so size really is insignificant in this category!
One A Day Prenatal:
- Daily dose: 1 softgel
- This is what I would consider a “horse-pill” – far too large for someone who has difficulty swallowing pills, or is suffering from nausea IMO
Nature Made Prenatal:
- Daily dose: 1 softgel
- This is smaller than One A Day, but bigger than Perelel
Capsule Size Winner: Tied Perelel + Olly
Criteria #4: Convenience
Perelel Prenatal:
- You can buy them directly from Perelel’s website with a one-time purchase or through a monthly auto-renew subscription
- They’re available for purchase at other online retailers like Amazon, Babylist, Free People, and Vibrant Market
- The subscription auto-updates to the required trimester packs based on your due date, with a roll-over to the Mom Multi Support Pack after your due date to support your postpartum needs (they even account for shipping time!)
- Customer portal and customer service to help you cancel or modify your orders at anytime
- Every order comes with 30 individual packets (30 packs in a box) so you can easily grab them on the go or take them in your toiletry bag for travel
Olly Prenatal:
- You can buy them directly from Olly’s website with a one-time purchase or through a monthly auto-renew subscription
- They’re available for purchase at other online retailers like Amazon, Target, Walmart, Walgreens, and CVS Pharmacy
- You can set your delivery cadence to every 1, 2, or 3 months
One A Day Prenatal:
- They’re available for purchase at popular retailers like Amazon, Target, Walmart, Walgreens, and CVS Pharmacy
- Available in 30, 60, or 90 count bottles
Nature Made Prenatal:
- You can buy them directly from Nature Made’s website with a one-time purchase or through a monthly auto-renew subscription
- They’re available for purchase at popular retailers like Amazon, Target, and Walmart
- Available in 60 or 90 count bottles
Convenience Winner: Tied!
Criteria #5: Cost
Perelel Prenatal:
- One time purchase: $58.24 or $1.94 per serving
- Subscribe and save 15%: $49.50/month or $1.65 per serving
- Unlike other prenatal vitamins, Perelel is an all-in-one supplement that provides complete nutrition during pregnancy, eliminating the need for additional choline or omega supplements.
Olly Prenatal:
- One time purchase: $13.99 or $0.47 per serving
- Subscribe and save 15%: $11.89 or $0.40 per serving
One A Day Prenatal:
- 30 count: $21.99 or $0.73 per serving
Nature Made Prenatal:
- One time purchase (60 ct): $26.99 or $0.45 per serving
- Subscribe and save 10%: $24.29 or $0.40 per serving
Cost Winner: Nature Made
My pick for best prenatal vitamin is Perelel.
I absolutely love Perelel vitamins because they offer all-around better benefits IMO including:
✅ OB/GYN founded and formulated
✅ Trimester stage-based nutrients
✅ Easy-to-absorb nutrient forms
✅ Delayed release capsule technology to minimize nausea
✅ Each dose comes in individual packets for convenience & traveling
✅ Non-GMO, free of dairy, nuts, soy, and sugar, and no colorants or synthetic fillers
✅ Third-party tests and adheres to strict quality standards
✅ Available in multiple retailers and subscription option with perks
Get 20% off your subscription purchase of Perelel Vitamins: NMM20
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