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When to start taking prenatal vitamins: Why starting early matters
Nothing in this article is or should be construed as medical advice; for any medical questions, consult your healthcare professional.
When is the right time to start taking a prenatal multivitamin? Is it at a certain age, or when you’re trying to conceive, or when you’re already pregnant? And what do these targeted formulas do exactly? Let’s take a closer look at prenatal vitamins and when to start adding them to your routine.
Depending on what stage of family planning you’re in, you might start having questions about prenatal vitamins. What do prenatal vitamins do exactly? How soon should you start taking prenatal vitamins? Should you take prenatals before pregnancy? Let’s break down when to start taking prenatal vitamins.
What do prenatal vitamins do?
A prenatal vitamin is a blend of supplemental vitamins and minerals crafted to meet the needs of women who are pregnant or could become pregnant. Prenatal multivitamins can provide reliable nutrition in vital areas — supporting baby’s healthy development as well as mom’s prenatal wellness.1 Prenatals provide peace of mind that your body is getting the right foundational support at such an important time.
Who should take a prenatal vitamin?
In general, prenatal vitamins are designed specifically for women who are pregnant or trying to conceive. While you can try getting the recommended nutrients for healthy pregnancy just through food, that involves a lot of research and tracking. Supplementing with prenatal vitamins gives you peace of mind that you’re more likely to be getting the recommended amounts of nutrients on a daily basis, especially on days when your diet is not so great.
Do talk to your healthcare professional about any supplements you’re taking or planning to take as you try to conceive.
When should you start taking prenatal vitamins?
Prenatal vitamins are made to provide critical vitamins and minerals for your baby and you on a daily basis. As recommended by The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, you should ideally start taking these vitamins even before conception.1
1. When you decide to try to conceive
If you’re not pregnant yet, taking prenatal multivitamins helps to build your body’s levels of key nutrients in preparation for pregnancy.1 If you’re thinking about trying to conceive or you just stopped your birth control methods, it’s time to start taking a prenatal.
2. As soon as you find out you are pregnant
If you’re already expecting, taking a well-rounded prenatal vitamin provides the recommended nutrients to help support a healthy pregnancy and healthy fetal development.2
Why take prenatals before pregnancy?
One of the most important nutrients you can get through prenatal vitamins is folate (or folic acid). Folate is a B vitamin that supports early neural tube development from the time of conception and during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. According to The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, you should take a daily prenatal vitamin with at least 400 micrograms of folic acid starting at least one month before pregnancy and during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.2 Once you’re pregnant, the recommendation bumps up to 600 micrograms daily (400 from your vitamin and 200 from your diet).2 Because most women don’t know they’re pregnant until about two weeks after conception (around the time of their first missed period), taking folic acid regularly before pregnancy can help avoid a gap.
Another reason to take prenatal vitamins before pregnancy is to start building the habit! Add prenatals into your regimen today, and when you’re pregnant it will already be a solid part of your self-care.
What nutrients are in a prenatal?
A regular prenatal vitamin should include nutrients that mom and baby needs more of during pregnancy, such as iron, folic acid and vitamin D3. Check out our full breakdown on prenatal vitamin nutrients here.
What to look for in a prenatal vitamin
Since you want to support your baby’s healthy development every step of the way, you can look for top-of-the-line nutrition from high-quality, third-party validated prenatal vitamins. Everything you need to know should be on the label (or web page).
- Look for certifications. This tells you that an independent third-party has reviewed and validated the vitamin’s ingredients.
- Check the daily values of ingredients listed on the Supplement Facts Panel. Does it deliver the recommended amount of each nutrient? Do you need additional supplementation? Ask your healthcare professional to consult on the specifics.
- Does the vitamin contain artificial flavors, colors or added sweeteners? Some types of gummies contain additives and fillers you may not want to consume on a daily basis.
- Is it formulated for absorption? This can include being made with fermented nutrients and whole foods that the body can easily recognize and digest.
- Are there specific directions for when to take it? Some multivitamins are so gentle you can take them anytime, even on an empty stomach.
- Make sure any non-prenatal vitamins you may want to take are still suitable during pregnancy.
Tips for taking prenatals
You may want to take a prenatal multivitamin with food to help keep the tummy settled. Look for products that can be taken on an empty stomach, such as fermented multivitamins.
It also helps to know your habits in order to set yourself up for success. If you always take your vitamins with breakfast once a day, a one-tablet-daily prenatal may be the best choice for you. However, if you like spacing out your vitamins, other prenatal vitamins are designed so that a daily dose is spread out between multiple tablets that can be taken throughout the day.
It’s best to listen to your body and notice if your prenatal is causing any queasiness, so then you can adjust from there. These days some prenatal multivitamins are even formulated with tummy-soothing ginger for morning sickness built right in, which can help if you’re experiencing pregnancy-related nausea. Your healthcare professional may also have suggestions to help with any queasiness, such as spacing multi-dose vitamins throughout the day or taking with meals or water.
The key thing to remember is that adding a reliable prenatal multivitamin to your day can help maintain solid nutritional foundations. Whether you’re planning to be pregnant or already expecting, these supplements offer highly tailored support for this important time in your life.
Related Articles
Sources
- Good Health Before Pregnancy: Prepregnancy Care. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Reviewed January 2024. Accessed October 6, 2025. https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/good-health-before-pregnancy-prepregnancy-care
- Nutrition During Pregnancy. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Updated June 2023. Accessed October 6, 2025. https://www.acog.org/store/products/patient-education/pamphlets/pregnancy/nutrition-during-pregnancy
