It’s no secret that adequate nutrition is important during pregnancy - but how do you know for sure that you’re getting all the nutrients that you and your baby need to thrive? For peace of mind and ultimate health, organic liquid vitamins are a big help - more specifically, prenatal vitamins. 

They can’t replace a healthy, well-rounded diet, but they can act as a backup to make sure you don’t have any gaps in your nutrition during pregnancy (1). 

What Are Prenatal Vitamins?

Prenatal vitamins give your body all the vitamins and minerals that it needs while you are pregnant. They are essential before and after your baby is born in order for your body to meet all the demands of pregnancy, and for your baby to experience healthy development. 

While it’s true that your diet should do most of the work, as the body absorbs nutrients best from food, your prenatal vitamin can help fill in the blanks. 

Do I Need To Take A Prenatal Vitamin? 

While you’re pregnant, the answer is typically yes. A general multivitamin doesn’t do enough for pregnant women, and prenatal vitamins are designed with pregnancy in mind. They address specific stages of your baby’s development - for example, most prenatal vitamins contain folic acid, which is crucial to a baby’s brain development during the early stages of pregnancy. Many prenatal vitamins also contain vitamin D and calcium in order to build strong bones and teeth for your baby during the third trimester. 

Prenatal vitamins can also make sure a pregnant woman has enough iron - not only for their baby, but for their own bodies as well. 

When To Start Taking Prenatal Vitamins 

Ideally, you should start taking prenatal vitamins three months before conception - or, at least, a month before. From there, it’s beneficial to take them throughout your entire pregnancy. In short, if you are trying to conceive, it’s smart to start a prenatal vitamin routine. 

If you plan on breastfeeding your baby after they’re born, it’s a good idea to continue your prenatal vitamins for at least six months - if not for the entire time you breastfeed your child.

What To Look For In Prenatal Vitamins

You can find prenatal vitamins over the counter, and there is not much difference between over-the-counter and prescription versions. When you’re shopping around for prenatal vitamins, keep an eye out for four key ingredients that are essential during pregnancy: folic acid, iron, calcium, and vitamin D. 

There are other vitamins that may be present in a prenatal vitamin that could also be helpful. These include: vitamin A, C, B6, B12, and choline. It’s also great if your prenatal vitamin contains omega-3 fatty acids (DHA in particular). 

Best Organic Liquid Prenatal Supplements

To follow are the top five liquid prenatal supplements that you can find over-the-counter. 

The first is Pink Stork Liquid Prenatal Vitamin (1). This vitamin contains 100% of the daily recommended nutrients and it is gluten free, non-GMO, and contains no animal products. It also contains 18 mg of iron. Let it be known that you might need a calcium supplement with this choice, as it only contains 20 mg of calcium. 

Second on the list is Source of Life Prenatal Liquid (2). It is easily digestible and contains all the essential vitamins and minerals, along with energy from whole foods like apples, broccoli, spinach, tomatoes, brown rice, apricots, and bananas. 

Third up is MaryRuth’s Prenatal & Postnatal Liquid Multivitamin (3). This supplement is formulated for pre-conception, pregnancy, and nursing, and it has vitamins and minerals that support the needs of mother and baby before, during, and after pregnancy. It contains ingredients like folic acid, vitamin A, choline, and potassium iodide. 

Fourth is Prenatal Multiple by Liquid Health (4). This supplement comes in lemon and elderberry flavor, and is a mixture of ingredients that are meant to support both mother and baby’s health at a cellular level throughout pregnancy.

Last on the list is Buried Treasure Prenatal Plus DHA Complete (5). It’s designed for pregnant and nursing women and it delivers nutrients that are essential for a growing baby’s development, including DHA, folic acid, and iron. 

What Prenatal Vitamin Is Right For You?

When you’re considering what prenatal vitamin is best, consider where gaps may occur in your diet. If you’re a vegetarian, consider an iron supplement. If you don’t eat dairy, consider a supplement containing calcium. If you don’t eat fish, look for one with DHA. 

If you’re still unsure about which prenatal vitamin to choose, consult your doctor for a recommendation. 

Resources

1. "Best Prenatal Vitamins of 2022." Babylist, 7 Feb. 2022, www.babylist.com/hello-baby/best-prenatal-vitamins.
2. "Source of Life Prenatal Liquid Multivitamin - Tropical Fruit (30 Fluid Ounces)." The Vitamin Shoppe, www.vitaminshoppe.com/p/nature-plus-prenatal-multi-30-fl-oz/nt-7185.
3. "Prenatal & Postnatal Liquid Multivitamin (32 oz)." MaryRuth's, www.maryruthorganics.com/products/prenatal-postnatal-liquid-multivitamin-32-oz?variant=32186421510241.
4. "Prenatal Multiple." LiquidHealth, liquidhealth.us/product/prenatal-multiple/.
5. "Buried Treasure- PreNatal Plus DHA Complete." Swanson, www.swansonvitamins.com/p/buried-treasure-prenatal-plus-dha-complete-16-fl-oz-liquid?SourceCode=INTL4071&showPopup=f&DFA=1&UTM_Medium=PaidSearch&UTM_Source=GOOGLE&UTM_Campaign=SWAN_National_Ge.