Your guide to choosing an ideal prenatal multivitamin

Congratulations! If you’re reading this, you’re likely contemplating, attempting or are on the exciting journey of pregnancy. You’ve got baby on the brain, and it’s one of the most magical, challenging and rewarding experiences you’ll ever go through (you are becoming a superhero, after all). It’s also a lot of mental work. One of the most important things you can do, even before you conceive, is to start taking a prenatal multivitamin. The first 28 days are crucial for a baby’s neural tube development, so there’s really no such thing as “too soon” to start.* 

In this guide, we break down five considerations for choosing an ideal prenatal multivitamin, and we’ve found one that rises above the rest.

5 considerations for choosing a prenatal multivitamin

There are a ton of prenatal multivitamins out there, and it’s easy to get overwhelmed with the choices. Is it too much to ask for a prenatal that covers the key essential nutrient bases, is easy on the stomach, has a transparent supply chain, undergoes rigorous third-party testing, is made of clean ingredients by an ethical company, and shows up on your doorstep just when you’re about to run out? It’s not. It’s basically the unicorn of prenatals—it’s Ritual’s Essential for Women Prenatal Multivitamin, and we love it.  

1. Nutrition content 

First and foremost, prenatals should contain key nutrients crucial for women pre- or during pregnancy. You’ll want to choose an all-in-one solution that helps covers the bases. Of the key ingredients you’ll want to look for, iron, folic acid or folate, Omega-3s and choline top the list as they help support neural tube development (choline and folic acid or folate), baby’s brain development (Omega-3s and choline), and maternal blood-building (iron).* 

That’s where Ritual’s Essential for Women Prenatal Multivitamin steps in. With clinically studied key nutrients for before and during pregnancy, you can be sure that you’re supporting nutrient needs for yourself and your growing baby with key essential vitamins.* 

This prenatal powerhouse is formulated with a gentle, chelated form of iron, methylated folate designed to bypass a common genetic variation that makes it difficult for some to efficiently utilize folic acid, and 350 mcg of vegan Omega-3 DHA in each serving. It’s your go-to for a holistic and tailored approach to prenatal nutrient support.*

2. Thoughtful design

The first trimester is often fraught with morning sickness (which has a sneaky way of creeping up during all times of the day or night), so your prenatal multivitamin should also be designed to be easy on the stomach. With delayed-release capsules designed for optimal absorption and a refreshing citrus or mint essence, taking them is a breeze, with or without food. On top of that, they’re free from animal products, are non-GMO, and gluten and major allergen free. We’re telling you, Ritual’s founder, Kat Schneider, thought of everything.*

3. Traceable ingredients

Not all ingredients are created equal, so when it comes to choosing a prenatal multivitamin, supply chain transparency matters. Women, especially when expecting, deserve to make informed decisions about the products they’re consuming. Ritual gets it, which is why their ingredients are Made TraceableⓇ, giving you a clear view of their key ingredient’s sourcing and purpose. Ritual’s not afraid to show receipts. You can go down the rabbit hole on Ritual’s sources, studies and suppliers, empowering you to feel informed and confident about what you and your little one are taking in. It’s unparalleled peace of mind.

4. Third-party testing

Just as you wouldn’t buy a car seat that wasn’t crash-tested, why settle for a prenatal multivitamin that hasn’t gone through extensive testing? When it comes to safety and quality, Ritual doesn’t take any shortcuts. In fact, it’s quite the opposite—they go above and beyond by testing at multiple stages with best-in-class third-party facilities for allergens, microbes and heavy metals. Ritual also collaborates with world-class certification bodies, like Clean Label Project, to validate all their products, so you can be assured that each lot meets their highest standards for your well-being.

5. Business ethics

When you’re expecting, the future is top of mind, and it’s impossible to not think about the societal and environmental impact of your everyday decisions. Benefit Corporations (B Corps) make it easy for moms to align their values, prioritizing social and environmental responsibility alongside profit. B Corps meet strict standards for ethics, sustainability and social impact, making them a go-to choice for many moms. As a certified B Corp, Ritual is all about making a positive impact, and believes that doing good for your health also means doing good for the planet. It’s a simple way for moms to make choices that feel good for both their families and the world.

Start your own Ritual

While you’re trying to conceive and during pregnancy, establishing your own ritual becomes particularly meaningful. Taking a multivitamin every day doesn’t have to be a chore, and with Ritual, you can turn a daily habit into just that—a deliberate act of self-care that supports both you and your precious little one.*

Ritual’s subscription service offers the perfect blend of flexibility and consistency, taking the mental load out of having to reorder a new bottle or run out to the store for a refill. And with a 30-day satisfaction guarantee, Ritual ensures your initial experience aligns seamlessly with your expectations. Here is an excellent opportunity to embrace wellness, offering 20% off your first order or up to 35% off pregnancy bundles. Taking care of your new baby starts with taking care of yourself, and with Ritual’s Essential for Women Prenatal Multivitamin, you’re already off to a great start!

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

A version of this article was originally posted November 10, 2018. It has been updated.