The Best Prenatal Vitamins: Everything You Need to Know While TTC

You probably already know that it’s recommended to take a prenatal vitamin during pregnancy – but did you know that it’s also a good idea to take them while trying to conceive (TTC)? 

This is because prenatal vitamins play a critical role in supporting the early development of the placenta and fetus, particularly the neural tube, which starts to develop as early as the third or fourth week of gestation. By taking prenatal vitamins long before conception, you can ensure that your developing fetus gets all the nutrients it needs from day one. 

In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about prenatal vitamins – including why you should take them, when you should take them, and how the nutrients found in the best prenatal vitamins help to support you throughout the entire TTC and pregnancy journey. We’ll wrap things up by debunking some of the common myths of prenatal vitamins and answer some of your most frequently asked questions. 

What Are Prenatal Vitamins?

Prenatal vitamins are a type of supplement formulated for individuals who are currently pregnant or those who could become pregnant. They are specifically designed to support the biological processes of pregnancy, helping to reduce the risk of birth defects and pregnancy complications. 

There is no specific ‘recipe’ or ‘formula’ that all prenatal vitamin brands must follow. However, the most common ingredients that make up a prenatal vitamin include folate, iron, choline, iodine, magnesium, and selenium, among others. 

Although many of these ingredients are found in standard multivitamins, it is the amount of certain ingredients that makes a prenatal vitamin a prenatal vitamin – particularly the dosage of iron and folate. 

The Importance of Taking Prenatal Vitamins

Prenatal vitamins play a crucial role in supporting both mother and baby during pregnancy – and their benefits are well-established by clinical research. 

For mothers, prenatal vitamins help to:

• Reduce the risk of pregnancy complications, such as low birth weight, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and anemia. 
• Support the immune system
• Boost energy levels and reduce stress
• Balance hormones

For babies, prenatal vitamins help to:

• Support neural tube development in the first trimester
• Prevent neural tube defects (NTDs) such as anencephaly, spina bifida, and tethered spinal cord syndrome
• Prevent other birth defects, such as congenital heart disease, oral clefts, and rickets
• Support the development of the brain, spinal cord, and skeletal system

The importance of taking prenatal vitamins cannot be stressed enough, with many doctors recommending that anyone who could become pregnant should take a regular prenatal multivitamin (not just those who are already pregnant or actively planning a pregnancy). 

When to Start Taking Prenatal Vitamins

The standard advice on when to start prenatal vitamins is at least three months before pregnancy. 

However, unless your doctor advises otherwise based on your medical history, there is no harm in taking a prenatal vitamin if you are of reproductive age and there is even the slightest chance that you could become pregnant. Prenatal vitamins do not require a prescription, and the benefits outweigh the risks – especially in cases of unplanned pregnancies.

If you haven’t been taking a prenatal vitamin but you’ve just found out that you are pregnant – don’t panic! You can start taking a prenatal vitamin immediately and still reap the benefits. You should then continue to take a prenatal vitamin throughout pregnancy. 

After birth, the general rule of thumb is to continue taking your prenatal vitamin while you are breastfeeding – or, for at least six months postpartum. 

Key Nutrients in Prenatal Vitamins

Folate

Folate (a form of vitamin B9) is essential for neural tube development, helping to reduce the risk of birth defects. The recommended dosage of folate in a daily prenatal vitamin is around 600 mcg. 

Iron

Iron plays a key role in supporting the development of the placenta and fetus. It also helps to reduce the risk of low birth weight while also preventing anemia in the mother. The recommended dosage of iron in a daily prenatal vitamin is around 27 mg. 

Choline

Research shows that choline supports brain development during pregnancy. Like folate, it may also help to reduce the risk of NTDs. 

Iodine

The body requires an estimated 50% more iodine than normal during pregnancy. This is because iodine helps the body produce plenty of thyroid hormones that go on to support bone and brain development. 

Magnesium

During pregnancy, magnesium can help to relieve tension in mothers. Before pregnancy, it works together with other vitamins and minerals (such as Vitamins B and D) to help balance hormones and promote healthy ovulation.

If you are actively trying to balance your hormones while TTC, you can track your hormones directly with the Mira Monitor. Regular hormone monitoring allows you to see the full picture of your hormone trends so that you can make the best decisions for your reproductive health. 

Selenium

Selenium is known to support overall reproductive health, while also working with other vitamins and minerals to help strengthen the immune system. This can help to protect expecting mothers from infection and illness. 

Copper

Having adequate copper levels during pregnancy helps to reduce the risk of certain pregnancy complications – such as anemia, hypertension, low birth weight, and preeclampsia. 

Other important nutrients

Other key nutrients to look for in a prenatal vitamin include: Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, and B7, along with Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin D3, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Zinc, and Manganese. 

Choosing the Right Prenatal Vitamins

If you’ve ever needed prenatal vitamins, you probably already know that there are a lot of options out there!

To help you evaluate your options, we recommend considering the following factors: 

• Check the dosages for folate and iron, making sure that there are at least 600 mcg of folate and 27 mg of iron. 
• Make sure that the prenatal vitamin is certified third-party tested. This ensures that the product is of high quality and that the ingredients listed on the label are correct. 
• Check the ingredients for potential allergens – such as artificial sweeteners, sugar alcohols, colors, and flavors. 

If you are still on the hunt for some of the best prenatal vitamins in 2024, we would love for you to consider Mira’s own Prenatal Multi-Vitamin! Crafted in-house by our fertility experts, this prenatal vitamin is third-party tested, free from most major allergens, and includes the essential nutrients required before, during, and after pregnancy. 

If you’d like some additional support with choosing the best prenatal vitamin for your body and pregnancy, we’d love to welcome you to check out our Hormone Health Clinic for Fertility. In addition to providing guidance on the best prenatal vitamins for pregnancy, they can also support you with other TTC and pregnancy challenges – such as ovulation tracking, hormone health, and nutrition. 

How to Take Prenatal Vitamins

Found your perfect prenatal vitamin? Great! Here are a few tips for taking your prenatal vitamins:

• Always take with food. Prenatal vitamins can cause an upset stomach, so it’s recommended to take your prenatal vitamin with either a meal or a snack. This will help to keep your stomach settled. 
• Stick to a routine. It doesn’t necessarily matter the time of day that you take your vitamin, but it will be much easier to remember if you take it around the same time(s) each day, preferably with food. 
• Be aware of how your body experiences any side effects. Prenatal vitamins may cause an upset stomach, loss of appetite, nausea, bloating, and/or constipation. To manage any side effects, make sure to listen to your body and stay aware of how the vitamin makes you feel. You can then make adjustments to your routine if necessary.

The key to taking a prenatal vitamin is to make sure that it is well-integrated into your daily routine. If you find yourself struggling to remember to take your vitamin, you may need to set up some notifications or reminders. For example, you can use smartphone reminders, calendar alerts, and even sticky notes as tools to help you stay on track. 

Common Myths About Prenatal Vitamins

Unfortunately, there are so many myths about prenatal vitamins – many of which you may have read in a magazine or heard from friends or family. 

Here are a few of the most common myths debunked:

• Myth #1: Prenatal vitamins make your hair and nails grow. While prenatal vitamins are good for your overall health, there is no scientific evidence that confirms they can help your hair and nails grow. 
• Myth #2: Taking a prenatal vitamin means you don’t need to worry about your pre-pregnancy diet. This is also not true. While prenatal vitamins can help to fill in any nutritional gaps, they are not intended to be a replacement for a well-balanced pre-pregnancy diet.  
• Myth #3: I’m not pregnant yet, so I don’t need to take a prenatal vitamin. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Doctors recommend that individuals start taking a prenatal vitamin at least three months before pregnancy, and many recommend that any individual who could get pregnant should take a prenatal vitamin. 

Another common myth is that taking one of the best prenatal vitamins before pregnancy will help you get pregnant faster. While prenatal vitamins can certainly be used alongside other strategies to support overall health and fertility, they cannot guarantee pregnancy. 

To learn more about the practical steps you can take to plan a pregnancy, check out our article Building Your Fertility Plan. 

Potential Side Effects and How to Manage Them

Like any supplement or medication, there are always side effects. For prenatal vitamins, the most common side effects are related to the digestive system – such as nausea, constipation, diarrhea, stomach cramps, loss of appetite, and bloating. You may also notice changes to your hair and skin, such as hair loss, dry/itchy skin, and skin rash. 

To prevent side effects related to digestion, always take your prenatal vitamin with some food and water. Over-the-counter topical remedies may also be helpful for dealing with any minor changes to hair and skin. If your symptoms begin to worsen, speak with your medical provider immediately and they can provide you with the best advice for your situation. 

Other rare but serious side effects of prenatal vitamins could be caused by a vitamin overdose. Side effects may vary depending on the vitamin, however, common warning signs of vitamin overdose include abdominal pain, weight loss, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, and in rare cases, impaired vision and liver damage. 

Again, vitamin overdose is rare. However, it’s important to stay aware of how your body is feeling and seek medical advice if something doesn’t feel right. 

Final Thoughts

In short, the benefits of prenatal vitamins are well-grounded in clinical research. If you are still struggling to find the best prenatal vitamin for your body, we encourage you to speak to your doctor or a fertility specialist. They can provide you with the best advice for your pregnancy.