The Difference Between Multivitamins vs. Prenatal Vitamins

You've probably heard that daily multivitamins can be a simple and easy way to support your overall health and well-being. However, if you're pregnant or planning to conceive, you may wonder if you need to switch to a prenatal vitamin instead. 

In this article, we'll examine how prenatal vitamins stack up against traditional multivitamins and explore the key differences between the two to help you decide which one may be best for you and your baby.  

What is a Multivitamin? 

A multivitamin is a dietary supplement that contains a combination of various micronutrients designed to help support your health and wellness all in one convenient dose. They often provide a wide variety of essential vitamins and minerals that may be lacking in your diet. 

You’ll often see multivitamins in various forms, including tablets, capsules, gummies, and powders. Additionally, multivitamins are often tailored for different age groups and lifestyles and frequently address a wide range of health needs.  

For example, Garden of Life has an extensive line of multivitamins designed to help meet your unique micronutrient needs at different stages of life. These multivitamins are made with organically grown fruits and vegetables and add supporting antioxidants, vitamins, and nutrient cofactors. They are also formulated to avoid binders, fillers, artificial flavors, sweeteners, or additives.

What are Prenatal Vitamins? 

A prenatal vitamin is a specialized type of dietary supplement specifically designed to support the nutritional needs of women who are pregnant or planning to conceive. During pregnancy, your daily intake requirements for certain nutrients, such as folic acid, iron, calcium, and various vitamins, will increase to help support your growing baby. 

In addition to these essential nutrients, many prenatal vitamins also provide other beneficial nutrients like DHA, a type of omega-3 fatty acid that supports brain and eye development in the fetus. Moreover, some prenatal vitamins may contain probiotics to support digestive health or ginger to help alleviate queasiness. 

Vitamin Code Prenatal with Iron & Folic Acid Gummies are formulated with a blend of whole food fermented vitamins and minerals, plus 27 mg of gentle iron, 600 mcg of folate, and clinically studied probiotics, Bacillus subtilis DE111®. These prenatal gummies help support healthy neural tube development and blood and reproductive system health, plus they have vitamin D3 for optimal dietary calcium absorption.† Not only are they delicious, but they are also Non-GMO Project Verified and NSF Certified Gluten Free, providing clean nutrition for mom's and baby’s bodies.† 

Ideally, a prenatal vitamin should be taken before conception and throughout the entire pregnancy to support your health and your baby’s optimal development. Before starting any new supplement regimen, it's always best to consult with your healthcare provider to ensure the supplement is safe and meets your unique needs.  

Multivitamin vs. Prenatal: How Do They Differ? 

Multivitamins contain a variety of micronutrients that support general health and wellness. On the other hand, prenatal vitamins are multivitamins specifically designed for pregnant women to help support the mom’s and baby's health.   

A traditional multivitamin may contain some nutrients needed during pregnancy, but in amounts that may not be adequate. 

While all nutrients are important, specific key nutrients are needed to support your baby’s growth and development during pregnancy. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends the following nutrients to help support a healthy pregnancy: 

• Folate 
• Iron 
• Calcium 
• Vitamin D  
• DHA 
• Vitamin C 
• Vitamin A 
• Vitamin B6 
• Vitamin B12  

Folate 

Folate is a B vitamin needed before and during early pregnancy to help prevent birth defects of the brain and spine called neural tube defects (NTDs).†† Even before pregnancy, consider taking a vitamin supplement with 400 mcg of folic acid daily. You’ll want to ensure that your prenatal vitamin provides 600 mcg during pregnancy.  

Iron 

Iron is a mineral that makes hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body. During pregnancy, your blood volume doubles, so you’ll need twice as much iron to support your growing baby. During this time, you’ll need 27 milligrams of iron each day. The good news is that most prenatal vitamins provide this amount. 

Calcium 

Calcium is a mineral that supports the development of your baby’s bones, teeth, heart, muscles, and nerves. During pregnancy, you need 1,000 milligrams of calcium each day. 

Vitamin D 

Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium and supports healthy bone and teeth development. Getting vitamin D through diet alone can be tricky as most foods don’t naturally contain the nutrient and are instead fortified. However, many prenatal vitamins provide the 600 IU per day that’s recommended during pregnancy. 

Vitamin C 

Vitamin C is needed to support the health of your baby’s teeth, bones, and skin. During pregnancy, you’ll need 120 mg of vitamin C every day, which will likely be found in your prenatal or obtained by eating a variety of fruits and vegetables. 

Vitamin A 

You’ll need vitamin A during pregnancy to support your baby’s developing organs, eyes, skin, and bones. Pregnant women ages 18 and younger will need 750 mcg of vitamin A daily, while pregnant women ages 19 and older will need 770 mcg daily. 

Vitamin B6 

Also known as pyridoxine, vitamin B6 is important for supporting your baby's developing brain and nervous system. During pregnancy, aim for 1.9 mg of vitamin B6, which may be found in your prenatal vitamin but can also be found in a variety of food sources, including beef, pork, ham, whole-grain cereals, and bananas. 

Vitamin B12 

Vitamin B12 during pregnancy is essential for making red blood cells and supporting your baby’s brain and spinal cord. Many prenatal vitamins will provide adequate amounts (2.6 micrograms) of B12, but it’s always best to check the label.  

Is It OK to Take a Multivitamin vs. Prenatal?  

While a regular multivitamin may help you meet your own nutritional needs, it won't likely meet the needs of you and your growing baby. Although it may seem convenient, taking a regular multivitamin vs. a prenatal vitamin during pregnancy is not advised. 

Prenatal vitamins are specifically formulated to meet the unique micronutrient needs of pregnant women, including increased levels of folic acid, iron, and calcium, all of which are critical for fetal development. 

In contrast, regular multivitamins may not contain sufficient amounts of these nutrients, which can set the stage for health issues down the road. Moreover, some traditional multivitamins may even contain levels of vitamins and minerals that can harm your developing baby. 

It’s always best to consult your healthcare provider regarding the best prenatal vitamins to ensure you receive the optimal nutrients to support a healthy pregnancy. 

†† Healthful diets with adequate folate may reduce a woman's risk of having a child with a brain or spinal cord birth defect.

References: 

1. Lauritzen L, Brambilla P, Mazzocchi A, Harsløf LB, Ciappolino V, Agostoni C. DHA Effects in Brain Development and Function. Nutrients. 2016 Jan 4;8(1):6. doi: 10.3390/nu8010006. PMID: 26742060; PMCID: PMC4728620.  

2. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2021). Nutrition during Pregnancy. Retrieved from https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/nutrition-during-pregnancy. Accessed on May 4, 2023