Why I Switched Prenatal Vitamins
What I've learned about choosing high-quality supplements and the one that finally checked all my boxes.
From the moment I started thinking about getting pregnant, I dove into researching prenatal nutrition and supplements.
I’ve always prioritized a whole foods, nutrient-dense diet, but I also believed there was a place for a quality prenatal. The more I dug in, through reading, researching, and learning from healthcare professionals, the more I came to understand the important role a prenatal can play. While it can’t replace a nourishing diet, it can serve as a buffer, especially on the days you miss a key nutrient or feel too sick to eat certain foods.
Or maybe you’re like me and you aren’t quite bold enough to try some of the most nutrient-dense foods on earth... like beef liver haha
I’ve always been curious about what others take and why. I recently put up a question box asking what vitamins and supplements you use—and your responses were so insightful! I’ll be weaving those into this post.
Where it All Started
Right after I got married two years ago, I knew I wanted a baby. That summer, I read Real Food for Pregnancy, a book that deeply shaped my understanding of prenatal health and nutrition. It not only dives into key nutrients needed throughout pregnancy and the best foods to support both mama and baby, but it also covers supplements in a thoughtful, research-backed way.
I took that knowledge and ran with it.
Throughout this post, I’ll be sharing my thoughts on a variety of brands. Everything I mention comes from my personal experience, research, and preferences as a regular person—not a healthcare professional. My goal isn’t to criticize or discredit any company, but to offer honest insights into what has or hasn’t worked for me.
My Prenatal Experience
The first prenatal I ever took was from Ritual—it was actually the only brand I had heard of at the time. Instagram ads got me! Ritual isn’t a bad prenatal by any means—it contains a variety of important nutrients. But what I later realized is that it only offers small amounts of each, not the optimal levels your body really needs during pregnancy.
About a month before I got pregnant, I started doing more research and came across FullWell Fertility prenatals and fell in love. They’re definitely a bit pricey, and you have to take eight capsules a day, but it was more important to me that they were formulated with the optimal dosages of key nutrients.
That’s when I realized that to truly get the optimal nutrient levels in a prenatal, you usually need more than just two capsules. In fact, I’ve only come across a few brands that meet those standards with an 8-capsule daily dose—Needed, FullWell Fertility, and Seeking Health Optimal Prenatal.
I’ve been taking FullWell Fertility’s prenatals for about a year now. Halfway through my pregnancy, I added Ritual’s choline supplement, since FullWell’s choline content was a bit lower than I preferred—especially on days when I wasn’t getting enough through food. For example, if I ate eggs (which are naturally high in choline), I’d usually skip it.
After giving birth, I continued taking FullWell’s prenatals to help replenish what I lost. I also added their DHA and iron supplements. Because I experienced a postpartum hemorrhage, I’ve been more intentional about supplementing with iron and eating more red meat to support recovery.
Do I love taking 8–15 pills a day? Not really. Sometimes swallowing that many can be rough—I’ve choked an embarrassing amount of times (I probably just need a better pill-swallowing technique!) haha.
But it hasn’t bothered me enough to switch, at least until now.
Over the past year, I kept hearing about Needed prenatals, but I never really looked into them—until recently. Once I finally did the research, I understood why so many people have decided to make the switch too.
What really caught my attention? They offer a powder form—a game-changer in my book!
I’ve been a loyal FullWell Fertility customer and wasn’t planning to switch brands without understanding the full picture. So, in Elizabeth fashion, I did a side-by-side comparison of both brands—and here’s what I found:
The Striking Similarities
The Biggest Differences
My Honest Take
After comparing them closely, I found the nutrient profiles to be extremely similar. In my (non-medical) opinion, the differences are minuscule.
While Seeking Health Optimal Prenatal includes a few additional vitamins and minerals, they aren’t under my list of priorities. For example, I know I get enough boron through my diet, so I don’t feel the need to supplement it. The same goes for CoQ10. It’s commonly known for preconception support, but I don’t see it as necessary once I’m pregnant. I’m looking for a prenatal I can take consistently—before, during, and after pregnancy.
I also really appreciated this article from Needed that explains why they don’t include certain vitamins and minerals in their formula. It’s a great read if you’re curious about what’s not in their prenatal and why!
This is why it’s so important to do your own research and understand both what you’re getting from your food and what you may need to supplement.
To be clear: this comparison doesn’t even touch on the dozens of other prenatal brands out there. I chose to focus on Needed and FullWell because they’re the two I’ve personally used and have been wanting to compare for a long time. I added Seeking Health Optimal Prenatal to the mix because many of you said you take their prenatal and it’s one I’ve considered in the past.
A few additional important notes:
Seeking Health Optimal Prenatal has the lowest amount of choline amongst the three brands I compared—and choline is one of my top priorities when choosing a prenatal. It plays a critical role in fetal development, especially for the brain and spinal cord. While it’s possible to get plenty through your diet, I don’t always eat choline-rich foods consistently, and I’d rather not stress about hitting those targets every day.
All three brands use methylated folate instead of folic acid, which is especially important for those who have (or suspect they have) the MTHFR gene mutation. This mutation can make it harder for the body to convert folic acid into its active, usable form. I haven’t been tested myself, but I still choose methylated folate as a precaution. Seeing that all three brands prioritize this is a big win in my book.
Neither brand contains iron, and that’s intentional. Iron is a highly individual need during pregnancy. Not everyone requires it, and supplementing when you don’t need it can cause issues. Both brands offer a separate iron supplement if needed. This makes it so important to consult with your healthcare provider!
Neither includes DHA, which might seem surprising—but it makes sense. DHA is best absorbed when taken separately from your prenatal, ideally with a fat-containing meal or snack. Both brands offer DHA supplements, and I personally take it on days when I don’t eat fish.
Quality Matters
It’s not just about what nutrients are in your prenatal—it’s also about the quality of those ingredients. Are they in their most absorbable forms? Are they responsibly sourced? And perhaps most importantly, has the product been tested to ensure it actually contains what the label claims?
That’s where third-party testing comes in. It’s a non-negotiable for me when it comes to any supplement, whether it’s a prenatal or a protein powder. If it hasn’t been third-party tested, I won’t buy it.
Why I Made the Switch
Here’s what sealed the deal for me:
✅ 100-150 mg more choline—no need for an extra supplement
✅ Powder form available—goodbye to pills!
✅ Optimal nutrient levels with no unnecessary fillers—my “just in case” safety net if my diet falls short
✅ Third-party tested—trustworthy and transparent labeling
All three brands are excellent—you really can’t go wrong with either one. While they’re on the pricier side compared to some other options, that’s often the case with high-quality prenatals formulated with optimal nutrient levels. If you’re looking for a way to simplify or amp up your routine, Needed might be the perfect fit. That’s exactly why I made the switch.
I reached out to Needed and they kindly gave me a discount code to share with you. You can use ELIZABETHEVANS for 20% off your first order.
Whether you’re trying to conceive, pregnant, or navigating postpartum, I hope this helps make your supplement journey a little simpler—and more affordable! As always, be sure to talk with your doctor to discuss what’s best for you and your baby.
I’d love to hear hear your thoughts about what prenatal you take and why. Let’s chat in the comments!