As a soon-to-be first-time mom, I'm already diving headfirst into the world of parenting choices, trying to make the "right" ones for myself and my little one.
It all started when I researched prenatal vitamins. I was determined to find the best supplement for me and my growing baby, something that could give both of us exactly what we need—especially when first trimester nausea reared its ugly head. 🤢
After combing through all the results on Google, I narrowed my search down to three options: Needed Prenatal Multi Essentials, OLLY The Essential Prenatal Multi, and Nature Made Prenatal Multivitamin Tablets.
Here’s how they compare:
If you're looking for a vitamin that's easy to take… Needed
Whenever I thought about the prenatal I’d be taking every day, the absolute first thing that came to mind was “ease.” I knew I’d struggle choking down anything too large or unpleasant tasting, especially when I could barely tolerate toast.
Needed takes the win here with their small, easy-to-swallow capsules. Instead of having to choke down one or two giant pills, Needed capsules are split into three daily servings and much easier to stomach.
While OLLY's gummies initially sounded like a delicious idea, they turned out to be too sickeningly sweet for my sensitive stomach. Nature Made comes in pill form, but they are HUGE. Trust me, they were super hard to take when nausea was running my life.
If you're looking for a budget-friendly option… Nature Made
Budget considerations are crucial for many of us, especially when you’re budgeting for a baby! If you're looking for the most cost effective option, Nature Made is your pick. Their Prenatal Multivitamin Tablets are priced affordably at $18.99 for 90 tablets (three month supply).
Needed Prenatal Multi Essentials costs $39.99 for 90 capsules (one month supply), and OLLY The Essential Prenatal Multi is priced at $13.99 for 60 gummies (one month supply).
Even though Needed is at the higher end of the cost analysis, I found it to be a great value for the price. It’s a top quality supplement, and the nutrients are highly bioavailable. Plus, Needed offers several ways to save money through their subscription service, or through ordering multiple bottles at once (up to 9 months at a time).
If you're looking for a vitamin that contains everything you need and then some… Needed
While both OLLY and Nature Made contain some essential nutrients for mamas-to-be and their little ones, Needed comes out on top with a whopping 23 vitamins and minerals in highly supportive dosages.
For example, Needed includes 150mg of Choline, a vital nutrient for fetal brain development. Nature Made didn’t include Choline at all and OLLY’s prenatal featured only 10mg.
As much as I try to get my nutrients through my diet, Needed fills the gap for me and my baby. I know we're getting everything we need and more to stay happy and healthy. It covers essentials for my baby's healthy development and growth, my hormone balance, energy, immunity, and even supports my postpartum recovery.
If you’re looking for a gummy supplement… OLLY
OLLY is the only prenatal on this list that comes in gummy form, and if that’s something you’re looking for, it’s a great option.
Personally, I had a lot of trouble tolerating overly sweet things while in my first trimester, and the sugar content gave me serious pause. If I’m going to be taking in an additional 4g of sugar every day, I’d rather it be through fruit or something else with dietary fiber.
And the Overall Winner is… Needed
After trying all three, it’s clear to me that Needed Prenatal Multi Essentials is the standout choice. It’s easy to take, covers a wide spectrum of bioavailable nutrients for me and my baby, and arrives conveniently at my doorstep!
Although it’s not the most budget-friendly option, the value it provides makes it worth every penny. If you're a mom-to-be looking for the best option for your baby, Needed has my vote. ✅
