When I was looking for my daily prenatal vitamins + supplements, I started with a master list of “ingredients” that I wanted to ensure I was meeting for me + baby.
Here’s a master list of the most common vitamins and minerals in prenatal vitamins and an overview of what they do in the body.
Use this list as a benchmark for choosing your prenatal:
- Vitamin A: Supports eye and brain development, respiratory development
- Thiamin (Vitamin B1): Supports the nervous system, supports baby’s brain development
- Riboflavin (Vitamin B2): Supports healthy eyes and skin
- Niacin (Vitamin B3): Supports the digestive, integumentary, and nervous systems
- Pantothenic (Vitamin B5): Helps to create hormones and may ease leg cramps
- Vitamin B6: Helps form red blood cells and may help with morning sickness
- Biotin (Vitamin B7): Works with other B vitamins to help release energy from food
- Folate/ Folic Acid (Vitamin B9): Prevents neural tube defects and Spina Bifida in baby. Be aware that if you have the MTHFR genetic mutation, you’re going to want to discuss what specific version of this you need with your practitioner.
- Vitamin B12: Promotes blood formation and helps prevent birth defects that affect the spine and central nervous system
- Vitamin C: Helps your body absorb iron and protects against the effects of stress
- Vitamin D: Helps strengthen bones and teeth, plus helps your body utilize calcium and phosphorus
- Vitamin E: Promotes overall wellness and metabolism, plus may help reduce miscarriages
- Vitamin K: Supports healthy bone formation, blood clotting, and healing
- Calcium: Supports bone development
- Copper: Plays a role in iron metabolism and supports blood health
- Iron: Helps the blood carry oxygen
- Iodine: Supports healthy thyroid function, metabolism, fetal growth, and hearing
- Magnesium: Supports healthy blood pressure and healthy birth weight
- Zinc: Supports immune, nerve, and muscle function
What do you look for in your prenatal vitamins?
Anything I’m missing in this list that I should add?
