Table of Contents
- Why Do You Need Prenatal Vitamins?
- Which Nutrients Should Be in Organic Prenatal Vitamins Supplements?
- Other Nutrients a Pregnant Mother Needs
- Factors to Consider When Shopping for the Best Organic Prenatal Vitamins
- How are Organic Prenatal Vitamins Different from Regular Supplements?
- Top 10 Best Organic Prenatal Vitamins
- #1. Actif Organic Prenatal Vitamin
- #2. Garden of Life mykind Organics Prenatal Vitamins
- #3. SmartyPants Organic Prenatal Vitamins
- #4. New Chapter Perfect Prenatal Vitamins
- #5. Garden of Life mykind Organics Prenatal Gummy Vitamins
- #6. Garden of Life Vitamin Code Raw Prenatal Multivitamin
- #7. MegaFood Baby & Me 2 Prenatal Multivitamin
- #8. The Honest Company Once Daily Prenatal Vitamins
- #9. MaryRuth Organics Prenatal and Postnatal Liquid Vitamin
- #10. Pure Synergy PureNatal Prenatal Vitamin
- Final Thoughts
It is tough getting all the nutrients you need as a pregnant mother with the cravings, morning sickness, and random changes in mood. Even if you take a balanced diet, it is still possible to miss some essential nutrients needed for the baby’s development. You can solve this problem with the best organic prenatal vitamins.
Organic prenatal vitamins fill the gaps in your prenatal nutrition without leaving any harmful chemical residue in your body. These are vitamins extracted from whole foods grown on organic farms. Here is all you need to know about organic prenatal vitamins.
Why Do You Need Prenatal Vitamins?
The need for minerals and vitamins increases during pregnancy. These extra nutrients support the health, growth, and development of the fetus. For instance, according to the National Institute of Health, you will need to increase folate intake by 50% and the intake of iron by about 150%. However, you may not get enough of these nutrients from your food every day.
There are many more nutrients whose importance increases during pregnancy. These nutrients support the mother’s health so that they can carry the pregnancy to term and support the growth of the baby.
Organic prenatal vitamins contain all the nutrients you need to reduce the risk of deficiency disease and complications during pregnancy. The nutrients are also ideal for ensuring the fetus develops fully.
Besides Folate and iron, pregnant mothers need several other vitamins. If a mother has a chronic condition, their physician will recommend the best vitamins for their situation.
Which Nutrients Should Be in Organic Prenatal Vitamins Supplements?
Mothers who suffer pregnancy complications or have other health issues should get a particular vitamins prescription from their doctor. All other mothers can get over-the-counter organic prenatal vitamins online or at a pharmacy nearby.
There are so many prenatal vitamins available, but you need one that offers the nutrients you need to support a healthy pregnancy. Some multivitamins only have a few nutrients, while others have all the nutrients you need to support pregnancy, including the micronutrients.
Here are some of the nutrients that miss in most multivitamins, yet you need them in high amounts:
- Choline: This nutrient is essential for developing the fetus and placenta. It is available in foods, such as egg yolks, and can help you avoid pregnancy complications.
- DHA: Known in full as Docosahexaenoic acid, DHA is a form of fatty acid needed for fetal brain development.
- EPA: EPA is short for Eicosapentaenoic acid. It is also a form of fatty acid that the fetus needs for brain development and general body development. When shopping for an organic prenatal vitamin, pick one that contains either DHA or EPA.
- Vitamin D: According to research, pregnant women need about 4,000 IU of vitamin D every day to maintain a healthy pregnancy. The problem is that the recommended daily intake during pregnancy is 600 IU, which sees most mothers are not getting enough of this vital nutrient. The vitamin promotes healthy bones for the mother and the fetus.
Other Nutrients a Pregnant Mother Needs
Pregnant mothers will also need the following nutrients in their prenatal vitamins or their diet:
- Folate or Folic Acid: These nutrients help prevent brain defects in fetuses. Folate is a B vitamin in abundance in green leafy vegetables and citrus fruits. According to Mayo Clinic, you need at least 400 mcg of either Folate or folic acid every day.
- Calcium: Calcium strengthens the bones of the mother and helps in the growth and development of the bones of the fetus. You need at least 1000mg of calcium every day, but teenage mothers need at least 1,300mg of calcium every day.
- Iron: Intake of iron prevents the development of iron deficiency anemia. Pregnant mothers might experience headaches and feel fatigued, increasing the chances of premature birth. You need at least 27mg of iron every day.
- Iodine: This nutrient is essential in the formation of thyroid hormones. These hormones are important in stimulating the body to use up energy. It is crucial in developing the brain, nerves, and spinal cord. You need at least 220 mcg of iodine every day.
- Vitamin A: Although you need vitamin A, you must get a prescription from a doctor. Excess intake of vitamin A can cause liver problems.
- Vitamin B1 and B6: These two vitamins are also crucial in developing the fetus. However, it would be best to be careful not to take more than the recommended daily value.
Factors to Consider When Shopping for the Best Organic Prenatal Vitamins
Not all organic prenatal vitamins are the same. As such, you need to do thorough research to ensure you have the best supplement. Consider the following factors:
- Nutritional Content: The nutrients in every organic prenatal vitamin vary. You need to pick supplements formulated for pregnant women. If you have an exceptional condition, choose a supplement with particularly recommended nutrients.
- Organic Certifications: Some brands claim to be organic to sell more. To ensure you have the right product, ensure it has organic certifications from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) or any other recognized institution. Additional certificates may show that the supplement underwent testing in a third-party facility.
- Form: Supplements are available in gummy tablets, powder, or liquid form. Each of these forms will give you the nutrients you need, so you need to pick the design that feels convenient for you.
- Dosage: You need to ensure that each dose provides you with the recommended daily intake of various nutrients. It is okay to take more than the daily value (DV) for some nutrients, but for others, you should not go beyond the recommended value to avoid health complications.
- Allergies: Some people are allergic to gluten, dairy, eggs, fish, or soy, among other substances. If you have such allergies, ensure that the product you choose does not contain any of these substances and does not come from a company that handles any of these.
- Health Concerns: Talk to your doctor if you have any health concerns, say pregnancy complications or a chronic health condition. The doctor should recommend the best organic prenatal vitamin for you.
How are Organic Prenatal Vitamins Different from Regular Supplements?
Organic prenatal vitamins are from whole foods. These foods come from organic farms that follow farming regulations set by the USDA. Some of the benefits you get when you take organic supplements include:
- Whole Food Vitamins: Organic vitamins are free of synthetic nutrients. Instead, they source all the nutrients from whole fruits and vegetables, among other organic food items. Unlike artificial ingredients, whole foods are easy to digest.
- No Chemical Residue: The USDA requires that organic farms not use farm chemicals, such as pesticides, herbicides, and others. All the whole food vitamins are free of these chemicals that can affect your health. There are also non-GMO, making them healthy for human consumption.
- Special Formulation: Pregnant mothers can choose the prenatal vitamin that meets their needs. You can pick a supplement with all the nutrients or select one with particular nutrients.
- Cruelty-Free: Organic vitamins for pregnant women do not undergo animal tests. The manufacturers formulate these supplements based on existing research and from the experience of healthcare professionals. Products may bear labels showing that they are cruelty-free.
- Eco-Friendly: Organic farming is eco-friendly. It does not damage the soil or vegetation, making it safe for the environment.
Top 10 Best Organic Prenatal Vitamins
From the list of supplements below, pick one whose nutritional composition will meet your needs:
#1. Actif Organic Prenatal Vitamin
- Softgel form
- 25+ nutrients
- Berry, Lemon Flavor
- Sweet lemon flavor
- Well-balanced vitamins
- Easy to take soft gel form
- Easy on the digestive system
- Organic certification label missing
#2. Garden of Life mykind Organics Prenatal Vitamins
- Non-GMO
- Certified organic
- Plant-based formula
- Certified vegan
- It comes with certifications for being organic, vegan, and non-GMO
- Well-balanced
- Contains iron
- Highly digestible, thanks to the herbs
- May cause constipation, thanks to iron
#3. SmartyPants Organic Prenatal Vitamins
- USDA certified organic
- Gummy form
- Gluten and allergens free
- Highly digestible
- Easy to chew gummies
- Rich in essential nutrients
- Vegetarian option
- Taken four times a day
#4. New Chapter Perfect Prenatal Vitamins
- Non-GMO verified
- Certified organic ingredients
- Tablet form
- Easy to swallow tablets
- Eases morning sickness
- You can take it on an empty stomach
- Digestible and hence fast-acting
- Relatively pricey
#5. Garden of Life mykind Organics Prenatal Gummy Vitamins
- Gummy form
- Free of artificial colors and flavors
- Organic flavor and sugar
- Sweet taste and flavor
- Easy to chew gummies
- All plant-based ingredients
- Made from whole fruits
- You cannot take on an empty stomach
#6. Garden of Life Vitamin Code Raw Prenatal Multivitamin
- Non-GMO verified
- USDA certified organic
- Free of gluten
- Ideal for all mothers
- Formulated from whole raw foods
- Easy to take capsules
- Complete blends of nutrients
- It leaves a bitter taste on the mouth
#7. MegaFood Baby & Me 2 Prenatal Multivitamin
- Tablet form
- Non-GMO verified
- USDA certified organic
- Easy to swallow tablets
- Can be taken any time of day
- You can take on an empty stomach
- Well balanced with several nutrients
- It does not contain DHA
#8. The Honest Company Once Daily Prenatal Vitamins
- USDA certified organic
- Tablet form
- Whole food based
- You only need one tablet a day
- Easy to swallow the tablet
- You can take on an empty stomach
- A rich blend of nutrients
- Iron might cause mild constipation
#9. MaryRuth Organics Prenatal and Postnatal Liquid Vitamin
- Liquid form
- Free from allergens
- A balanced blend of nutrients
- Free of allergens
- Easy to take liquid form
- Sweet natural flavor
- Ideal for pre- and postnatal
- Be careful of taking excess vitamin A
#10. Pure Synergy PureNatal Prenatal Vitamin
- All-organic ingredients
- Third-party testing
- USDA certified organic
- Tablet form
- Easy to swallow tablets
- Highly digestible
- Easy to absorb and fast-acting
- Complete range of essential nutrients
- You need four tablets a day
Final Thoughts
You need to take supplements before, during, and after pregnancy. The supplements ensure that you get enough of all nutrients as the need for several nutrients increases. Taking these nutrients in the recommended amounts will ensure a healthy pregnancy.
You should start taking organic prenatal vitamins before conception. For instance, taking Folate before conception reduces the chances of developing neural tube irregularities. Plan three months before getting pregnant and start taking these supplements. Also, don’t forget after the birth of your darling baby to use vitamins too.
You can also continue with the supplements after you give birth. This is because your body will continue with the increased need for nutrients when your start breastfeeding. Some brands offer particular postnatal vitamins, but others allow you to continue with the same prenatal supplements.
Our top choice from the list above is Actif Organic Prenatal Vitamin. It contains a rich blend of all the nutrients needed to keep pregnancy healthy and has all the certifications you need to guarantee quality. It is also easy to take with or without food.