What are prenatal vitamins?

“Prenatal vitamin” and “prenatal supplement” are terms often used interchangeably to describe multi-vitamin/mineral formulas that support the increased nutritional needs of pregnant women. The terms pregnant women and vitamins are often talked about together, but can you take prenatal vitamins without being pregnant? And if so, when should you start taking a prenatal vitamin?

Although they are called prenatal vitamins, these products are beneficial for women before, during, and after pregnancy. Prenatal vitamins usually contain folate or folic acid, an important nutrient for fetal neural tube development, along with other vitamins and minerals that support a healthy pregnancy.

So if you have ever asked “Can you take prenatal vitamins without being pregnant?” then keep reading. This article will answer this question and more FAQs about prenatal supplements.

Benefits of prenatal vitamins

Many women often wonder, “What do prenatal vitamins do?” Prenatal vitamins help bridge nutritional gaps that can occur because of increased nutrient needs during pregnancy. Nutrients are used by the body to maintain the mother’s health during pregnancy, to prepare her body for delivery, and for fetal development. Blood levels of many nutrients can be decreased during pregnancy due to this increased demand, and prenatal vitamins are an efficient way to support nutrient need.

What vitamins are in prenatal vitamins?

Another important question to ask is, “What vitamins should I be taking during pregnancy?” Some of the vitamins commonly contained in prenatal vitamins and the roles they play in fetal development and maternal health are the following:1

  • Vitamin A – Supports skin, bones, and eyesight*
  • Vitamin C – Supports gums, teeth, and bones; benefits “morning sickness”*
  • Vitamin D – Supports bones, teeth, skin, and eyesight*
  • Vitamin E – Supports heart and lungs*
  • Vitamin K – Supports blood and bones; benefits “morning sickness”*
  • Vitamin B1 – Supports heart and nervous system*
  • Vitamin B2 – Supports white and red blood cells, normal thyroid function, and eyes*
  • Vitamin B3 – Supports cellular energy production, skin, nervous system, and digestive tract*
  • Vitamin B5 – Supports cellular energy production and normal adrenal function*
  • Vitamin B6 – Supports red blood cell formation, production of hormones and neurotransmitters; benefits morning sickness*
  • Biotin (vitamin B7) – Supports metabolism and development of soft tissues*
  • Folate (vitamin B9) – Supports brain and spinal cord, nervous system, and red blood cell formation*
  • Vitamin B12 – Supports nervous system and red blood cell formation*

Now that you know what vitamins are in prenatal vitamins, you might also be wondering about other nutrients commonly found in prenatal vitamins.

  • Choline – Supports brain and nervous system, cognitive function, and cellular health*
  • DHA – Supports brain, nerves, cognitive function, and eyes*
  • Inositol – Supports blood sugar and a normal insulin response*

Another question women often ask is, “Do prenatal vitamins help you get pregnant?” In some cases, particularly when there is an underlying nutrient deficiency, a prenatal vitamin might promote fertility.* A 2015 study of women undergoing assisted reproduction examined the association between serum folate levels and likelihood of becoming pregnant. In the study, women with the highest folate levels were 1.5-times more likely to become pregnant compared to women with the lowest folate levels.2

As you can see, it’s important to consider when should you start taking prenatal vitamins as adequate nutrition during pregnancy and while trying to conceive support both mom and baby.

But what happens if you don’t take prenatal vitamins while pregnant? Many women will still have a healthy pregnancy and give birth to a healthy baby without taking prenatal vitamins. Eating a healthy diet is the best way to make sure you are well nourished before, during, and after pregnancy. The addition of prenatal vitamins helps to ensure you are getting all the nutrients you need, especially when life gets busy and your diet might not be as nutritious as you need. If you’re wondering when to start taking prenatal vitamins, read on for more tips.

When should you start taking prenatal vitamins?

Although prenatal vitamins sound like something you should start taking once you know you are pregnant, there are several reasons to consider prenatal vitamins when not pregnant.

Oocytes (egg cells) exist within premature follicles in the ovaries prior to maturing and being released during the ovulatory cycle. The follicle maturation process includes several stages of development, each lasting days to months. By the time a mature oocyte is released, it has been maturing in its follicle for up to a year. Antioxidants, like vitamins C and E, and B vitamins contribute to healthy oocyte development and protect the maturing oocyte against oxidative stress.*

Another reason to consider prenatal vitamins when not pregnant is that many women do not know they are pregnant until 4-6 weeks into their pregnancy. The fetal brain, spinal cord, and heart all begin developing during this time. Specifically, closure of the neural tube, which is the developing brain and spinal cord, occurs by the end of the fourth week. Folate, in particular, plays a primary role in neural tube development. B-complex vitamins, choline, and iron are also important nutrients during this early developmental period.

How to choose a prenatal vitamin

When choosing a prenatal vitamin, a good place to start is with a high quality supplement manufacturer. Check the company’s website for information about good manufacturing practices, third-party certifications like NSF, and a commitment to quality across all company products, like with Thorne’s “No List.”

After you have chosen a high-quality product, check the product’s Supplement Fact box to learn which nutrients are included in the formula. Active forms of vitamins, like methylcobalamin (B12) or 5-MTHF (folate), and chelated forms of minerals, like iron bisglycinate, improve nutrient absorption and efficiency while also being gentle on the stomach.*

Prenatal supplement FAQs

1. Do prenatals help you get pregnant?

Other common versions of this question include: Do prenatal vitamins help make you fertile? How do prenatals help you get pregnant? Or, will taking prenatal vitamins increase the chances of getting pregnant? As mentioned above, although prenatal vitamins can help bridge nutrient gaps or correct an underlying nutrient deficiency, there is not sufficient direct evidence to conclude that prenatal vitamins lead to more pregnancies. Studies show having adequate blood levels of certain nutrients is associated with a greater likelihood of becoming pregnant.*

2. Do prenatal vitamins work?

Prenatal vitamins provide nutritional support to help meet the increased nutrient demands of pregnancy and breastfeeding. Even for women who strive to eat a healthy diet, the demands of a modern lifestyle or the side effects of pregnancy can make it difficult to achieve optimal nutrition. A prenatal supplement can ease diet worries by bridging any nutrient gaps.

3. If you’re not taking a prenatal supplement, when should you start prenatal vitamins?

Consider starting a daily prenatal multivitamin about six months to a year before you plan to become pregnant. This will ensure adequate nutrition for developing oocytes and embryos, even before you know you are pregnant. If you are already pregnant, starting a prenatal vitamin right away can help ensure you are achieving adequate daily nutrition.

4. Can you take prenatal vitamins without being pregnant, and if so, how long should you take prenatal vitamins?

Prenatal vitamins can be taken before, during, or after pregnancy. How long to take prenatal vitamins is really an individual choice. Many women, such as those who choose to breastfeed, will continue taking prenatal vitamins for several months after delivery. Other mothers might choose to continue a daily prenatal vitamin until they are finished having children.

5. What about vitamin D for pregnancy? What vitamins should I be taking during pregnancy?

Most prenatal multivitamins contain vitamin D along with folate, vitamin B12, iron, and other nutrients. Vitamin D supports healthy bones, teeth, muscle tissue, skin, and eyesight.* The amount of vitamin D an individual needs varies from person to person. So, it’s important to ask your healthcare practitioner about vitamin D for pregnancy, including how much, how to choose a prenatal vitamin, and when should you start prenatal vitamins.

6. What are the best prenatal vitamins?

The best prenatal vitamins are the prenatal supplements that can help bridge nutritional gaps and support a healthy pregnancy for mother and baby. Thorne’s Basic Prenatal and Prenatal DHA are the choice of many healthcare practitioners when considering pregnant women and vitamins, and we recommend having a conversation with your healthcare professional to determine when should you start taking a prenatal vitamin and which prenatal supplements are best for you.

Interested in learning more about fertility? Check out Thorne’s Fertility Guide for information about fertility, hormones, and lifestyle choices for when you’re trying to conceive. Thorne’s Fertility Test provides insight into reproductive hormones, thyroid function, and stress responses. Or consider a chat with a Thorne Advisor to determine which prenatal supplements are right for you and to help answer more of your questions like “Can you take prenatal vitamins without being pregnant?”

References

  1. Adams JB, Kirby JK, Sorensen JC, et al. Evidence based recommendations for an optimal prenatal supplement for women in the US: vitamins and related nutrients. Matern Health Neonatol Perinatol 2022;8(1):4. doi:10.1186/s40748-022-00139-9
  2. Gaskins AJ, Chiu YH, Williams P, et al. Association between serum folate and vitamin B-12 and outcomes of assisted reproductive technologies. Am J Clin Nutr 2015;102(4):943-950.