Choosing the right prenatal vitamin is an important step. The first few weeks of a baby’s life can make a difference in development, so you want to be careful what you put in your stomach.
It’s especially difficult to choose a vegan prenatal vitamin, since ingredients need to be reviewed for animal ingredients, as well as quality.
I took the time to research some of the best vegan prenatal vitamins on the market to make it easy for you. Here’s what I found.
Our Top Vegan Prenatal Vitamins
1. Best Nest Wellness Mama Bird AM PM Prenatal Multi+ (EDITOR’S CHOICE)
This prenatal multivitamin claims that their unique blend of probiotics, enzymes, and organic herbs was designed to support you and your baby’s growing needs at every stage of pregnancy.
Their formula was created by a board-certified expert in neurology, so chances are they know what they are talking about.
Along with having high-quality ingredients like folate, it’s important to note what their formula doesn’t have. Ingredients like soy, yeast, sugar, preservatives, artificial colors and flavors, and more didn’t make the cut. You’ll feel safe putting this in your stomach.
One important supplement that also isn’t in their formula is DHA, although they offer a different supplement to get that nutrient.
PROS
- Includes choline which many prenatals do not
- Includes methylated vitamins like folate and methylcobalamin
- Contains organic, high-quality ingredients
CONS
- No DHA, but that’s because the amounts mamas need really can’t fit into one multivitamin. They do offer a different supplement to get that nutrient.
2. Garden of Life Vitamin Code Raw Prenatal
Garden of Life’s claim to fame is that their prenatal multivitamin is made for both the mom and baby during pregnancy and lactation.
It contains essential nutrients, including probiotics like ginger, vitamin D, and zinc. It also supports healthy neural tube development with folate, iron, vitamin C, E, and B-complex.
As with any supplement, I get wary of any product that has a proprietary blend. It prevents me from seeing the exact quantity of what you are getting. This prenatal multivitamin (see also ‘Performance Lab NutriGenesis Multivitamin Review‘) has 3 proprietary blends that claim to have a lot of organic ingredients.
PROS
- The capsule size is easy to swallow
- Supports mom and baby during pregnancy and lactation
- Contains important nutrients like folate and calcium
CONS
- Proprietary blends in the formula
3. NATURELO Prenatal Multivitamin
What I like about these supplements is that not only is it vegan-friendly, but it’s also suitable for those with common food allergies. It contains no soy, gluten, yeast, dairy, corn, or peanuts.
The ingredient list is completely transparent, and nothing is hidden behind a proprietary blend. It contains everything you need in a prenatal multivitamin, including essentials like vitamins A, B Complex, magnesium, iron, zinc, selenium, folate, and more. They even contain iodine from organic kelp.
You have to take 3 capsules daily, which seems like a lot of pills. It’s also recommended to take it with a full meal and a glass of water.
PROS
- Clear ingredient list like folate, zinc, and more
- 100% satisfaction guarantee
- Appropriate for prenatal and postnatal health
CONS
- Have to take with a full meal and water
4. Deva Vegan Vitamins Multivit Prenatal Vegan Tab
Even though this meant for women who are expecting, women who have no pregnancy plans still take this. They claim that they take them as a regular supplement because it’s effective.
Reviews also say that this is one prenatal vitamin that doesn’t cause them to throw up and gives them healthier hair and nails.
I was impressed by the transparent ingredient list. Every ingredient, like folic acid, is accounted for in their formula, and you know exactly how much you are getting of each ingredient. It’s also labeled as certified vegan.
This prenatal vitamin is also a good value. One daily serving is 1 tablet, and each bottle has 90 servings. The math is easy that this is an affordable choice.
PROS
- Good value
- Clear ingredient list
- High-quality ingredients
CONS
- Reported side effects include neon yellow urine
5. Nordic Naturals Vegan Prenatal
DHA is a supplement that the body can’t produce on its own, so it’s important for expecting women to ensure they are getting enough in their diet. It helps with brain health for you and the baby.[1]
Most of the time, DHA is derived from fish. However, this supplement has fish-free DHA made from microalgae, which is a good alternative for vegans.
This DHA supplement is non-GMO and third-party tested for quality. It’s high-quality and supports a healthy pregnancy (see also ‘Natalie Portman Briefly Stopped Being Vegan During Her Pregnancy’).
The recommended serving 2 pills daily. One bottle will last 1 month at this rate.
PROS
- Plant-based DHA
- No fishy aftertaste
- Non-GMO and third-party tested
CONS
- Only a DHA supplement
Other Resources:
6. Omnibiotics Vegan Omega DHAx
This is another prenatal DHA supplement to consider. The MD-certified DHA is grown from microalgae in a lab. The company has a unique algal SHA element that has 8 times more DHA compared to krill oil. It’s incredibly concentrated in Omega-3 fatty acids and DHA, although it’s hard to say if this will have a significant impact on brain health.
It’s a 100% natural product and has no gluten, soy, nuts, dairy, sugar, animal products, artificial ingredients, chemicals, preservatives, or fillers.
They recommend taking 2 pills daily, preferably with a meal. One bottle will last for a month.
PROS
- Plant-based DHA
- Concentrated omega-3s and DHA
- Free of unnecessary ingredients
CONS
- Will need a second prenatal vitamin to cover other nutrition needs (like folic acid, iron, folate, etc.)
7. Rainbow Light® Prenatal One
Rainbow Lights claims that they are the first food-based, once-daily multivitamin for pregnant and nursing women.
I took a closer look at their ingredients, and it indeed contains all of the essential vitamins and minerals like folate, iron, calcium, and more. It also includes red raspberry and ginger juice to help ease digestion.
Although these are notable ingredients, they also have proprietary blends, which I’m not a fan of for supplements.
It’s the most cost-efficient prenatal multivitamin though. You only need to take 1 pill daily, and 1 bottle has 150 pills.
PROS
- Most cost-efficient
- Allergy-friendly
- Essential vitamins and minerals + herbs to support a healthy pregnancy
CONS
- Proprietary blends in the formula
Other Resources:
8. Premama Prenatal Gummy Vitamins
Not everyone can swallow pills, which makes gummies a good alternative.[2] These organic gummy vitamins are designed for prenatal use and include nutrients like folate and vitamin B12.
It even has plant-based DHA included, which is not something every prenatal vitamin has in their formula. The strawberry-lime and peach flavored gummies are a huge hit, with some people claiming it tastes like candy.
The daily suggested serving is 4 gummies. Even though the label says it’s a 28-day supply, it would only last you for 15 days in reality. This makes it more costly in the long run.
PROS
- Includes plant-based DHA
- Alternative to taking pills
- Great taste
CONS
- More expensive cost per serving
9. Diet Standards Prenatal DHA
This is another 100% vegan prenatal DHA to consider. It’s derived from algae grown in a clean and sustainable environment (clothing).
It’s made in the USA and third-party tested for quality and purity. You’re simply getting the best DHA quality with this prenatal supplement.
They claim that each bottle is a 2-month supply. I wanted to check on this before ordering though, so I looked for their nutrition label. I couldn’t find a daily suggested serving size anywhere online, which was disappointing.
PROS
- Algae-based DHA
- Made in the USA
- Third-party lab tested
CONS
- No nutrition label available online
10. Green Label Premium Prenatal Vitamins
I met a woman who claimed to have had her energy increase dramatically, and also had healthier hair and nails, after taking this.
I took a look at their ingredient list, and it seems to have all of the vitamins and minerals an expecting woman would need, including calcium, iron, magnesium, folic acid, zinc, and vitamins A, C, E, and much more.
However, it does have a proprietary blend that covers how much you are getting of ingredients like fennel seed, blessed thistle, and stinging nettle.
PROS
- Supports energy
- Can grow healthier hair and nails
- Includes necessary vitamins and minerals
CONS
- The proprietary blend in the formula
Related articles for a vegan mother:
What ingredients should vegans look out for in a prenatal vitamin?
Here are ingredients vegans should look for in a prenatal vitamin:
- Gelatin: Gelatin is one of the sneaky non-vegan ingredients. It’s made from animal skin, bones, ligaments, or tendons. It often makes its way into supplements with gelatin capsules or as a filler ingredient.
- Lanolin: Lanolin is a sheep-derived ingredient. It’s commonly used for vitamin D supplements. Vitamin D2 is made from plants, but Vitamin D3 may be made from lichen or animals. So you either want to look for Vitamin D2 or lichen-derived Vitamin D3.[3]
- Bee Pollen: Bee pollen may be one of the ingredients in a prenatal vitamin, so be sure to avoid it.
- Omega-3: Omega-3 fatty acids has an important quality called DHA that is fundamental to brain development. Omega-3 is naturally found in fish. However, there is a plant-based alternative where the DHA is derived from algae.
- Vitamin B12: Vitamin B12 is difficult for any vegan to get from their food since it is most commonly available in meat. There are some plant-based options though. Look for fortified yeast or blue-green algae.[4]
Should you take prenatal vitamins when you’re not pregnant?
If you take prenatal vitamins when you’re not pregnant, you may risk getting harmful side effects. Prenatal vitamins are meant to provide added nutrients like folic acid to pregnant women or meant to be taken for lactation (Exercise while pregnant). You may run into issues when you consume the wrong amounts of folic acid, iron, or calcium [5]
If you want to be safe with you folic acid intake, you can check out this list of folic acid supplements.
Too much folic acid can lead to a vitamin B12 deficiency in your body.
Iron can be toxic if too much is taken and can cause constipation and vomiting. Prenatal vitamins aren’t meant to be a source of calcium, so if you take too little, then you risk getting osteoporosis later in life.
If you’re not pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant, then eating healthy food can be enough for your dietary needs. You can also check out this list of best multivitamins for vegetarians.
Prenatal products you should also consider
Lactation Smoothie – These smoothies are designed to support lactation for breastfeeding moms.The Sweetie Pie Lactation Smoothie has 1000mg of Fenugreek that claims to stimulate milk production, making sure that your little one gets all the good stuff as he or she thrives.
And no, you don’t have to wait until you’ve given birth to take this product. It claims to prepare your body for when your baby is born and actually starts consuming breastmilk, so you can start taking it as early as 7 months (see best formula).
Lactation Bars – Lactation bars have clean ingredients and are recommended for pregnant or lactating moms (Can you get Botox while pregnant?). Our favorite is one by Sweetie Pie. It contains 500mg of Fenugreek, which isn’t bad for a single bar that tastes delicious. Online reviews from users claim that the Sweetie Pie lactation bar does help with their milk supply in as little as 2-3 hours after eating. It’s a filling snack with 220 calories per bar and the ingredients are completely clean and vegan.
Which form is better for a prenatal vitamin?
No form is better for a prenatal vitamin. It comes down to what your stomach prefers. Capsules are just as effective as gummies and powder forms.
Vegans and vegetarians may want to choose tablets or capsules with a vegan-friendly coating to prevent consuming gelatin.
Do you need prenatal vitamins?
Prenatal vitamins usually are strongly recommended. However, you should consult with your doctor about your vegan dietary needs before deciding on what is best for you.
Sometimes, the food you eat daily is enough to support you through your pregnancy and postnatal life. Some women may struggle with this and find that prenatal vitamins help them meet their nutritional goals.
Vegan women may especially struggle with getting enough vitamins and nutrients in areas like Omega-3 acids or vitamin B12. So you want to consider those nutrients when choosing a prenatal supplement.
A doctor can support you in making a personalized decision about whether you need prenatal vitamins.
(By taking supplements,)we can prevent a lot of different disorders and diseases that could affect the baby later on in their life.
Tamara Melton
Dietitian
When should you start taking prenatal vitamins?
You should start taking prenatal vitamins either before you become pregnant or as soon as you discover you are pregnant.
If you are planning on becoming pregnant, then it’s recommended to start taking prenatal vitamins, specifically folic acid, 1 month before start trying to have a baby (See Baby Yoga) [6].
If you weren’t expecting to become pregnant, then start taking prenatal vitamins as soon as you can.
Prenatal vitamins can support a baby’s development,( see baby vaccination) which is why you should start taking them as soon as possible.
Prenatal vitamins can be taken throughout the entire pregnancy and can even help with lactation for the baby.
How do I choose which prenatal vitamin is best for me?
Choosing the right prenatal vitamin depends on a lot of factors. What one woman needs is not necessarily something a different woman needs. Factors like diet, age, and activity levels can change what you need in a prenatal supplement.
It’s important to discuss with a doctor what you should consider in a prenatal vitamin. They may suggest specific amounts of folate, iron, calcium, and other nutrients. They may even prescribe prenatal vitamins if you have certain health considerations.
You may also want to discuss any prescription drugs you are taking.
Some prescriptions and herbal supplements may interact poorly with prenatal vitamins, so you should consult with your doctor on what the best option is.
Prenatal vitamins are not a substitute for adequate nutrition. It’s only meant to supplement your diet to help you get all of your vitamins and minerals.
What ingredients should be in my prenatal vitamins?
The ingredients that should be in your prenatal vitamins may change according to your specific needs. However, there are a few nutrients that you may want to consider having in a prenatal vitamin for vegans:
- Folate
- Choline
- Biotin
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin K2
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin B12
- Folic Acid
- DHA
- Boron
- Iodine
- Magnesium
Is an over-the-counter prenatal the same as a prescription prenatal?
Many people tend to think prenatal prescription products are of a higher quality as compared to over-the-counter options. This isn’t always accurate though.
You don’t need a prescription to gain access to high-quality prenatal vitamins, as many of them are over-the-counter.
You may also find that your insurance covers prescribed prenatal vitamins. Otherwise, you can find affordable prenatal options at your grocery store (see also ‘ What Is The Best Grocery Store For Vegans? ‘).
The most important thing to look for in a prenatal supplement is the ingredients and their quality. You can find high-quality prenatal vitamins regardless if it’s prescribed or not, and it shouldn’t affect the baby’s development.
What’s the best vegan prenatal vitamins?
I would consider Mama Bird AM PM Prenatal Multivitamin as one of the best vegan prenatal vitamins.
I was impressed with their unique organic formula. It combines essential nutrients like vitamins, probiotics (see also ‘NOW Foods Probiotic-10 Review‘), enzymes, and more to supplement your diet before, during, and after your pregnancy.
A lot of women are concerned about nasty side effects with prenatal vitamins. According to my research, this isn’t a significant problem with Best Nest Wellness prenatal vitamins. The high-quality and organic ingredients have led to reports of women not getting sick to their stomach and having better energy levels.
If you want to try out this organic product for yourself, check it out here to see why it’s so highly recommended.
Best Nest Wellness Mama Bird
Our #1 Vegan Prenatal Vitamins
- Claims to help with morning sickness and energy levels
- Doesn’t cause nausea
- Contains organic, high-quality ingredients
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