The Most Effective Prenatal Supplements for a Healthy Pregnancy in 2023 – A Buyer’s Guide
Discover which prenatal supplements are worth buying, and which ones to watch out for.
Fertility can be an exciting, yet difficult journey and may sometimes seem overwhelming. However, during this journey, there’s one factor that could boost your chances of getting pregnant—your diet. Certain nutrients have been shown to play a role in fertility, however, sometimes it can be difficult to make sure you’re getting all the nutrients you need.1
That’s where supplements come in. They can aid in filling in those gaps you may be experiencing. Fertility can be a complex equation and everyone is different. But one thing that experts can agree on is that adequate vitamins and minerals are essential for creating the perfect, healthy environment for a healthy, happy pregnancy. This includes hormonal balance, ovulation, embryo quality, oocyte quality, and the likelihood of achieving pregnancy.2
You want the best for you and your future baby, but finding the right supplement can seem a little overwhelming. In order to truly benefit from the many health benefits that prenatal supplements have to offer, it’s important to choose the right one. We’re here to help! Keep reading to find out what you should look for and what to watch out for when choosing your prenatal supplements.
Key Ingredients to Look for in a Prenatal Supplement
Folate & Folic Acid
Folic Acid is considered one of the most important nutrients for women looking to conceive. Low maternal folate status is a risk factor in the development of neural tube defects in the developing foetus. Supplemental folic acid intake increases maternal folate status.
Folate contributes to many aspects of a healthy pregnancy journey including the normal function of the immune system, reduction of tiredness and fatigue, normal blood formation, maternal tissue growth during pregnancy, and more. All in all, it helps prepare your body for your future baby.
Vitamin C & D
Vitamin C increases iron absorption and plays a role in many other functions. These include protecting cells from oxidative stress, as well as normal collagen formation, nervous system function, and immune function.
Studies show that vitamin D deficiency can play a role in reducing fertility and various adverse pregnancy outcomes.3 Vitamin D contributes to the normal function of the immune system and muscle function, and so much more.
Zinc
Zinc plays a lot of roles in terms of being beneficial for you and your fertility journey, and this is especially true in regard to men. Zinc contributes to normal fertility and reproduction and works alongside folate to contribute to normal DNA synthesis. It also contributes to the maintenance of normal testosterone levels in the blood.
Selenium
Selenium is a nutrient that can be beneficial in terms of male fertility.4 This nutrient contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress, normal function of the immune system, and normal spermatogenesis.
What Should I Avoid?
Sceptical Potency
Be sure to read the label on pregnancy supplements so you know exactly what you’re getting. Try to avoid pregnancy supplements with dosing in excess, as high doses of certain vitamins can be harmful.
Beware of Online Reviews (Especially on Amazon)
Before purchasing any product, one of the first things we do when researching is to check its online reviews. Unfortunately, these are not always a trustworthy way to measure the quality and effectiveness of a product. Companies often pay for reviews on popular online retailers, like Amazon, to try to trick their way to a five-star rating. While you should definitely consult these reviews before purchasing, do your own research as well.
Generic ingredients
Many companies opt for generic ingredients that aren’t backed by data, meaning the supplement is “watered down” and less effective. Look for patented ingredients that are clinically proven to provide helpful results.
Your Final Checklist
Now that you know what ingredients to look for and what to avoid, it’s also important to keep the following criteria in mind when purchasing your pregnancy supplement.
Quality Ingredients Recommended by Healthcare Professionals
One of the most important things to look out for when choosing a supplement is that it’s recommended by healthcare professionals. Healthcare professionals are more likely to align themselves with products that are made with high-quality ingredients that truly work.
Money-Back Guarantee
Make sure that the product you buy has a clear money-back guarantee on all product purchases. This is a tell-tale sign that a company knows they’re selling you a great product, so they aren’t afraid to offer you a sort of “insurance” on it.
How we evaluated the top 5
More and more prenatal vitamins and prenatal supplements have popped up on the market. There are so many brands producing different variations of supplements, and while this means you have an abundance of choices, it also makes it challenging to differentiate between good supplements and poor-quality ones that won’t provide you with the benefits you’re looking for. So, we’ve made it easy for you.
We searched the internet for the most popular prenatal supplements available on the market today and ranked them for you in our top 5 list.
Here are Our Top 5 Prenatal Supplement Picks for 2023
1. Fertility Complex
Total Ranking
830 votes
9.7/10
A+
Overall GradePROS
- Over 19 Science-Backed Nutrients
- Unique Super-Blend for Optimum Absorption
- Does not have any synthetic or unnecessary additives
- Money-back guarantee.
- Recommended by healthcare professionals.
- Product is reasonably priced.
- Made in the UK.
CONS
- Only Available Online
- Express delivery is only available in the UK and European countries.
The Bottom Line
Of every fertility supplement that we tested, HeyNutrition’s Fertility Complex is by far the highest quality product that delivered the best results.
Their product contains 19 essential nutrients—including folic acid, zinc, vitamins C and D, and selenium—to support and nourish reproductive health for each stage of preconception and fertility optimisation. These essential nutrients are suitable for men and women and can help support hormonal balance and function, encourage antioxidant health in reproduction, and promote overall fertility wellness.
The capsules are made of Hypromellose, which makes them suitable for vegans and vegetarians. Also, there are absolutely no unnecessary ingredients in their supplements. You know you’re getting simple, all-natural ingredients, which is what you want in your supplement.
HeyNutrition also offers a 60-day money-back guarantee on all purchases, which makes us believe that customer satisfaction ranks high on their list of priorities as a brand.
All in all, HeyNutrition seems to have the highest quality ingredients list of all the supplements we came across in our research. The fewer unnecessary ingredients, the better.
*Results are based on the HeyLiving Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
Learn About Our Top Pick2. Female Fertility Formula
Total Ranking
312 votes
8.6/10
B
Overall GradePROS
- 17+ Ingredients Including Folate, Zinc, & Vitamin D
- No Artificial Flavours or Synthetic Fillers
- Free From All Major Allergens
- Manufactured in the UK
CONS
- Must Buy Male Fertility Formula Separately
- Lemon Essence Might be Too Much for Some
- No Money-Back Guarantee
The Bottom Line
When reviewing supplements, we always look for complexes as these formulas combine a multitude of ingredients to create one powerful product. This women’s fertility formula from Bud is impressive as the blend contains key nutrients along with adaptogenic botanicals and amino acids to support the body’s natural fertility both mentally and physically.
While we love that it contains no artificial flavours or synthetic fillers, we were on the fence about the capsules being essenced with lemon. For some, that essence may be overpowering and unappealing.
*Results are based on the HeyLiving Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
Learn More3. Fertility Formula
Total Ranking
289 votes
8.4/10
B
Overall GradePROS
- Highly Bioavailable Ingredients
- Free from Major Allergens & Fillers
- Made in the UK
CONS
- 800 mcg of Folic Acid
- Expensive
- Missing Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)
- No Money-Back Guarantee
The Bottom Line
OVUM’s Fertility Formula includes 11 ingredients to support you on your fertility journey. However, we were missing riboflavin in their formula, which contributes to protection from oxidative stress, reduction of tiredness and fatigue, the normal metabolism of iron, and so much more. It has been said to be an important vitamin to have in your diet before you become pregnant.
This formula also contains 800 mcg of folic acid. The normal recommended dose of folic acid is 400 mcg, so their formula contains double the dosage. This isn’t a huge deal breaker, but those who choose this formula should be aware in case this is too much for them. We recommend discussing this with your physician, first. Additionally, with a 3-capsule serving size, the price of this supplement is a little expensive for only one month's supply.
*Results are based on the HeyLiving Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
Learn More4. Vitafem Female Fertility
Total Ranking
301 votes
8.4/10
B-
Overall GradePROS
- 30 Vitamins & Minerals
- Gluten- & Dairy-Free
- Made in the UK
CONS
- Not All Ingredients are Naturally Derived
- No Money-Back Guarantee
The Bottom Line
Zita West’s Vitafem Female Fertility supplement that contains an abundance of vitamins and minerals claimed to contribute to optimal fertility.
Although they have an impressive lineup of ingredients, their formula contains ingredients that are not naturally derived. The formula contains a handful of ingredients known as thickening agents which offer little to no overall health benefits, and some contain sugar. While they typically don’t offer many risks, they are often seen as an unnecessary additive or binder.
*Results are based on the HeyLiving Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
Learn More5. Inositol Myo + D-Chiro with Folic Acid
Total Ranking
207 votes
7.9/10
C
Overall GradePROS
- Optimal 40 to 1 Ratio
- Vegan, Gluten-Free, Non-GMO
CONS
- Only 3 Ingredients
- 3 Capsules Daily
- Lower Dosage of Folic Acid
The Bottom Line
BeLive’s fertility supplement contains an optimal ratio of ingredients claimed to support fertility, balance hormones, and act as a prenatal vitamin with folic acid.
Although these ingredients are beneficial for fertility, we think that their formula would be more effective if it contained a few more complementary ingredients. Formulas with just 1 to 3 ingredients often do not perform as well as multi-ingredient products.
*Results are based on the HeyLiving Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
Learn MoreFinal Thoughts
The Bottom Line
When choosing the right prenatal supplements, it is essential to choose a product that is made with high-quality ingredients delivered in optimal doses from a brand you can trust.
After searching the internet to find the best prenatal products and evaluating them based on their customer service, ingredients and pricing, we believe HeyNutrition Fertility Complex is the best on the market.
HeyNutrition provides a 100% satisfaction guarantee or your money back
Take advantage of this Offer while supplies last.
CITATIONS
- https://www.healthline.com/health/fertility/fertility-vitamins#micronutrients
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8541636/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6210343/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25175508/
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* The information contained within this site is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice. If you have, expect to have, or suspect you may have any medical condition, you are urged to consult with a healthcare provider. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration or the European Food Safety Authority. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases or medical conditions. Results are based on the opinion of the author and their own rankings and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Trademarks used on our website belong to their respective owners and no implied or expressed endorsement of our website or services is intended. Rankings can be affected by the relationship or ownership interest we have in various products featured.
MARKETING DISCLOSURE: This website is a blog. As such you should know that we have a monetary connection and the same ultimate beneficial owners (UBO) as some of the products we recommend on this site, including the #1 pick/partner on this blog post (Hey Nutrition). We may receive payments from direct sales of these products or commissions whenever a qualified sale occurs on any of featured sites, including sales from properties owned by the same UBO's, along with other partners through the Amazon Associates program.
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