When should you start taking prenatal vitamins?
You should start taking prenatal vitamins at least one month before trying to conceive. Three to six months before is even better. If pregnancy is a possibility (even an unplanned one), starting now gives your body the best head start.
This question comes up so frequently that it warrants a clear, direct answer. The USPSTF recommends daily supplementation with folate for all women planning or capable of pregnancy. They classify this as a Grade A recommendation, meaning there's high certainty that the benefits are substantial.
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Key takeaways
Starting before conception allows red blood cell folate levels to reach the protective threshold associated with the lowest neural tube defect risk. This buildup takes about 3-6 months with standard daily supplementation. Iron, vitamin D, and other nutrients also need time to accumulate. And since roughly half of pregnancies are unplanned, there's a strong case for anyone of reproductive age to be taking some form of folate daily.
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A note from WeNatal on when you should start taking prenatal vitamins
WeNatal for Her is the prenatal you start before pregnancy begins. With methylfolate, iron, and choline at research-backed doses, it builds the nutrient foundation that matters most during those first weeks. If you're thinking about starting a family (even in the abstract), starting your prenatal now is a simple, powerful step.
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References
Barry MJ, et al. (2023). JAMA, 330(5):454-459. DOI: 10.1001/jama.2023.12876
