How to choose the best prenatal vitamin?

If you have pregnancy complications or other health concerns, your doctor might recommend a prescription prenatal supplement. Otherwise, over-the-counter vitamins are available at the pharmacy or online.

While there are many brands available, you’ll want to choose a prenatal vitamin that includes:

• Folate
• Iron
• Calcium
• Vitamins D, C, A, and E
• Zinc
• Copper
• Vitamin B-12
• Magnesium

Most pregnant women don’t get enough choline, so it’s important to include choline-rich foods like egg yolks in your diet or take a supplement that contains this vital nutrient. Choline is important for your health and is essential for fetal brain development and placental function.

Some supplements also contain DHA, which is important for your baby’s brain tissue growth and function — especially during the third trimester. If your multivitamin doesn’t have DHA in it, ask your healthcare provider for DHA supplement recommendations.