In this review
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If you’re planning to become a mom, you probably know that prenatal vitamins are a must. But when every brand claims to be doctor-backed, “clean,” or clinically dosed, you may be overwhelmed by the choices.
That’s why we worked with Dr. Michelle Jacobson, OB/GYN and women’s health specialist, to review top prenatal vitamins from Ritual, Needed, Bird&Be and Perelel.
Doctors recommend starting a prenatal at least three months before conception - the window when egg quality, neural tube formation, and early brain development are most sensitive to nutrition. It’s a crucial time to build up nutrients like folic acid, vitamin D, iron, and omega-3s that lay the foundation for a healthy pregnancy.
We reviewed these four leading brands on ingredients, quality, and convenience, and one clear winner stood out. Read on to find out which!
What to Look For in a Prenatal Vitamin
According to Dr. Michelle Jacobson, OB/GYN, a high-quality prenatal should deliver “the nutrients most essential to fertility, pregnancy, and early fetal development, at clinically supported doses and in bioavailable forms.” Here’s what to look for:
- Folic Acid AND Methylated Folate: “Folic acid is the only form of folate clinically proven to prevent neural tube defects,” says Dr. Jacobson. It is recommended that all prenatal vitamins contain at least 400 mcg of folic acid. “Including methylated folate as well ensures coverage for women with MTHFR gene variants, which may affect folate absorption efficiency.”
- Vitamin B6 & B12: “These support red blood cell production and energy metabolism,” she explains. “B6 also helps with morning sickness, which can make a big difference in early pregnancy.”
- Choline: “Choline is often missing or under-dosed in prenatals, but it’s critical for babies’ brain and nervous system development,” Dr. Jacobson notes.
- Magnesium: Helps with muscle relaxation, bone development, and leg cramps. “Many women don’t get enough magnesium from food alone, so I recommend a supplement that includes it,” Jacobson adds.
- Iron: “During pregnancy, blood volume increases by up to 50%, which means your body needs more iron to support oxygen flow,” says Dr. Jacobson. It’s also critical for baby: not getting enough iron during pregnancy can increase the risk of preterm birth, anemia, and affect brain development.
- Omega-3s (DHA + EPA): “Omega-3s play a key role in fetal brain and eye development, and many women aren’t getting enough from diet alone,” she says.
- Biotin: Supports healthy skin, hair, and nails while helping convert food into energy - especially useful as metabolism increases during pregnancy.
Beyond the ingredient lists, note that supplements are not regulated by the FDA. Look for prenatal vitamins with extensive third-party testing and OB/GYN-formulated dosing. We also recommend a convenient daily pack to make staying consistent easier - especially when nausea hits in the first trimester.
Prenatal Vitamins, Compared
Ingredients: Bird&Be Wins
When it comes to ingredient quality and completeness, Bird&Be’s Complete Prenatal checks every box. It delivers the essentials: both forms of folate (folic acid and methylated folate), iron, choline, B6, B12, magnesium, biotin, and omega-3s - in clinically aligned doses, using gentle, well-absorbed forms.
“Bird&Be’s Complete Prenatal Packs are probably the most comprehensive products I’ve seen on the market,” says Dr. Michelle Jacobson, OB/GYN. “The doses are aligned with clinical guidelines, and my patients actually take them because they’re easy to remember in a little packet.”
Unlike Ritual or Needed, which skip key nutrients like iron or omega-3s, Bird&Be delivers both, making it a true all-in-one formula. Dr. Jacobson calls the inclusion of folic acid and methylated folate, a “smart, cover-your-bases approach” to ensure optimal folate absorption regardless of genetics.
Other brands fall short in key areas - Needed omits iron and omega-3s entirely, important for your baby’s brain development. Ritual is missing B6, critical for nausea, and provides limited minerals (just 12 total ingredients compared to 20+ in other brands). Perelel, our runner-up here, offers an almost comprehensive formulation, but lacks biotin, folic acid, and provides less choline than Bird&Be.
Quality: It’s a Tie
All four brands - Bird&Be, Ritual, Needed, and Perelel - meet strong safety and testing standards. Each is third-party tested to confirm ingredient purity, potency, and absence of contaminants such as heavy metals and microbes.
Ritual, Needed, and Perelel are US-based companies. Bird&Be is a Canada-based company, meaning they undergo additional regulatory review to meet Health Canada requirements, which involves rigorous pre-market evaluation of ingredient safety, formulation, and labeling.
According to Dr. Michelle Jacobson, OB/GYN, “Third-party testing helps protect consumers by ensuring supplements meet strict safety standards and that what’s on the label is actually what’s in the bottle.” She also notes the importance of GMP-certified manufacturing and transparent sourcing practices, of which all brands use.
Ease of Intake: Ritual Wins
When it comes to ease of use, Ritual takes the win. With just two pills per day, it’s the simplest option - ideal for those who prefer a minimalist routine or struggle with swallowing multiple capsules.
Bird&Be and Perelel both require four pills per day, but they come in convenient daily packs that make dosing straightforward. As Dr. Michelle Jacobson notes, “A vitamin only works if you actually take it - daily packets help simplify the routine and keep people consistent.”
Needed is the most demanding, with eight pills a day. We find that to be overwhelming for many expecting moms.
Price: Bird&Be Wins
When it comes to cost, Bird&Be offers the best value among the top prenatal brands. At $40.50 per month, it’s the most affordable option while still including every essential nutrient.
Ritual comes in close behind at around $44 per month, but with fewer total nutrients and missing key ingredients, like B6. Perelel and Needed are significantly more expensive, priced at $58.77 and $62.99 per month, respectively.
The good news is that all four brands are HSA/FSA eligible. But with its lower price point and more complete formula, Bird&Be clearly delivers the strongest value overall.
The Final Verdict: Bird&Be is the Best Prenatal
After comparing ingredients, price, quality, and convenience, Bird&Be’s Complete Prenatal comes out on top. It’s the only option that combines a doctor-designed formula, comprehensive ingredient profile, and affordable price in one convenient daily pack.
Ritual earns points for its easy two-pill format, but its pared-down ingredient list means you may still need additional supplements. Perelel is strong but slightly more expensive and missing biotin, while Needed is the most costly and requires multiple capsules to achieve the same coverage.
With clinically aligned doses of folic acid and methylated folate, iron, choline, omega-3s, and B-vitamins, Bird&Be delivers everything OB/GYNs recommend in a clean, convenient package.
The bottom line: Bird&Be is our clear winner - offering the best combination of completeness, safety, and value.
Ready to try Bird&Be? Use code MOTHERFUL15 for 15% off your first order.
