5 Best Prenatal Vitamins for Pregnancy 2022

Congratulations for being pregnant! Pregnancy is a wonderful yet challenging journey. Body will go through a huge hormonal change and a rapid surge of nutrient requirement, ensuring the baby grows and develops healthily.
To meet up the surging nutrient requirement, pregnant mothers will be advised to take certain supplements according to their health condition. Especially for those who face severe morning sickness during the first trimester, appropriate supplementation will help in supporting mother health status and infant development. Micronutrients that usually need to be supplemented to pregnant mothers are iron, folic acid, vitamin B, vitamin C and calcium.

Nature Made Prenatal Multi + DHA

Nature Made Prenatal Multi + DHA is a dietary supplement certified under US Pharmacopeia official standard. It contains most of the micronutrients needed. By taking 1 dose of it (1 soft gel), you will fulfill the daily requirement intake of vitamin B, folate, iron, and vitamin C. Fat soluble vitamins such as vitamin A, D, E and K are also included in this formula.
The additional fish oil concentration in this formula increases the bioavailability of these fat-soluble vitamins while supplying DHA and EPA. This product is not suitable for vegetarian mothers as it contains fish oil. It contains a few common allergens such as soybean and beeswax. Pregnant mothers with morning sickness may not be able to tolerate the strong after taste of fish oil.

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Blackmores Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Gold

Blackmores is Australia’s leading natural health company. This product targets pregnant mothers as well as breastfeeding mothers. Pregnant mothers with symptoms of morning sickness may consider this supplement as it uses odourless and concentrated fish oil as the source of DHA. As for iron active compounds, they choose to use iron II glycinate instead of widely used ferrous fumarate.
This active iron compound is classified as low constipation iron. Blackmores Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Gold is able to fulfill the recommended daily intake dosage for nearly all micronutrients to pregnant mothers and breastfeeding mothers. This product contains selenium and may lead to selenium toxicity if taken overdose.

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FullWell Prenatal Multivitamins

FullWell is a dietary supplement company founded by specialists in fertility nutrition. This product aims to improve fertility rather than supporting pregnancy needs. FullWell Prenatal Multivitamins focus on the contents of folate and vitamin B-12, chelated minerals, more magnesium, choline, and calcium, supporting healthy conception.
The most important element for pregnancy supplement, iron, is not included in this product. No animal source of ingredients is used in this product. Hence, it is suitable for vegetarians who are in the preconception stage. Selenium is one of the contents in this supplement and achieves 286% of daily recommended intake. This may be a concern of over dosage of selenium.

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Perelel Vitamins

Perelel Vitamins are designed by Obstetrician/Gynecologists and nutritionists based in the United States. This company crafted their vitamins packages according to different stages, conception, 1st trimester, 2nd trimester, 3rd trimester and mom’s multi support to fulfil different nutrients requirements for each stage. However, these supplements are designed for women in the states where anemia during pregnancy is not common.
Anemia in pregnancy is one of the main challenges in Malaysia. The key nutrient to prevent or to improve anemia status. This product is only supporting 56% of iron daily intake. But the anti-nausea blend is helpful for pregnant mothers who have morning sickness symptoms as they add in peppermint leaf powder to neutralize the smells of the pills.

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Iberet Folic

Iberet Folic is commonly prescribed to pregnant mothers with anemia in pregnancy by health clinics. It contains iron, vitamin C, vitamin B complex and folic acid. Recommend to take 1 tablet per to achieve the recommended nutrient intake for all fours micronutrients for pregnant mothers. This product is meant for solving iron deficiency anemia and megaloblastic anemia which is associated with vitamins C and B complex deficiency particularly in pregnancy.
It is recommended to take it while on an empty stomach to maximize the absorption. Side effects of this product are rare but occasionally it may cause nausea, vomiting, constipation or diarrhea and gastric pain at high doses. Iberet Folic is not only suitable for pregnant mothers, it is also suitable for people with iron deficiency anemia in any age group. It can be taken as precaution or as a treatment for iron deficiency anemia.

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According to Recommended Nutrient Intake 2017, iron supplementation is recommended for all pregnant women. In the non-anemic pregnant women, daily supplements of 100 mg iron given during the second half of pregnancy are adequate. In anemic women, higher doses are usually required based on doctor prescription.

Besides iron, vitamins C and B complex, folic acid, calcium are the main micronutrients which are important to sustain pregnant mother health and ensure infant development. DHA and EPA are additional nutrients to support infant brain development.

In order to add on any supplementation during pregnancy, please consult a doctor first to avoid overdose. Besides supplementation, a balanced and nutrient dense diet is important to ensure a healthy pregnancy and good infant development. Do not just rely on supplementation.