When it comes to choosing a prenatal supplement, nothing is more important than ensuring both you and your baby are getting the best possible nutrition. At WeNatal, we know that the right prenatal formula can make all the difference, which is why we’ve crafted a product like no other on the market. Our formulas are meticulously designed with research-backed amounts of bioavailable ingredients, ensuring that your body can absorb and utilize every nutrient effectively.
Unlike other companies that may cut corners or leave out key ingredients, our supplements are third-party tested for both efficacy and safety. This means you can trust that what’s on the label is truly what’s in the bottle. We’re here to make sure you have everything you need for a healthy pregnancy journey and beyond.
How We Stack Up Against The Rest
Health & Fertility experts recommend taking a prenatal supplement prior to conception, throughout pregnancy and continuing through lactation because nutrient needs are especially high during this time. However, many prenatal companies are missing the mark with their ingredients & dosages! In fact, you’d have to take additional supplements (beyond the 6-8 pills you might already be taking!) to get close to hitting the recommended optimal levels. That’s why WeNatal stands out above the rest: 3 pills once a day with everything BOTH parents and baby need during pregnancy and beyond.
Whether you’re just starting to plan for a family or are already on your pregnancy journey, WeNatal’s prenatals offer the comprehensive support you need to nurture a healthy, thriving family.
Let's start with a look at the 4 most important nutrients for expectant mothers and their babies:
1. Choline
WeNatal for HER contains 400mg
Recommend for pregnancy/breastfeeding 450mg
Choline is related to the B complex vitamins and plays a role in the structure and function of every cell in the body. It is involved in gene expression, preventing neural tube defects, and supporting tissue production. Most importantly, choline is key for proper development of baby’s brain.
Choline is essential leading up to pregnancy and during the first two trimesters, while getting enough choline in the third trimester may actually boost your baby's cognitive function later in life! New research shows the average daily intake of choline in women ages 20-39 is 285 mg per day compared to the recommended 450 mg per day. Those who follow a strict vegetarian or vegan diet may have even lower intake because the best sources are animal-based, including whole eggs and liver. Given the average intake, it’s recommended that prenatal supplements contain at least 350 mg of choline.
Yet, despite the known benefits and recommendations, the vast majority of prenatal supplements offer little to no choline at all! WeNatal is one of the only prenatals on the market to offer as much as 400 mg of choline, which is slightly above what is recommended in order to support women who may eat less choline than the average.
2. Iron
WeNatal for HER contains 18mg
Recommend for pregnancy/breastfeeding 30mg
Iron is required to make hemoglobin in red blood cells, which carries oxygen to all of mom’s tissues. Iron needs double during pregnancy to compensate for the increased blood that’s needed to supply oxygen to the baby. This makes iron especially important during the first and second trimester as red blood cell needs rapidly increase.
Unfortunately, many women of childbearing age are either low or deficient in iron. If mom starts off with a low supply, this will only be made worse as the baby starts to grow, many times leading to iron deficiency anemia. Severe anemia can increase the risk of premature birth, low birthweight, postpartum depression, and even pregnancy loss.
In fact, certified holistic nutritionist, wellness expert, (and WeNatal advisor) Kelly LeVeque says “One of the number one causes of fatigue in postpartum is iron deficiency, not anemia but suboptimal iron.”
For these reasons, we made the decision to add iron to WeNatal for Her to help correct and prevent anemia in mom and baby.
3. Folate
WeNatal for HER contains 1,350 mcg
Recommend for pregnancy/breastfeeding 400 mcg
One of our top tips for knowing if a prenatal is good quality is making sure it contains the correct form of Vitamin B9, folate NOT folic acid. Here is why knowing about the difference is so important…
Around 40-60% of people have a variation to their MTHFR gene which controls methylation throughout the body. This genetic snip makes it difficult to process the synthetic form of folate, known as folic acid. This means that around half of the population could be putting themselves and their future child’s health at risk without even knowing.
Women need folate for healthy ovulation and egg development. Folate also helps prevent miscarriages, maternal anemia, preeclampsia and can even help prevent postpartum depression. Folate deficiency has been linked to increased risk of neural tube defects, preterm birth, congenital abnormalities, and may even increase risk for congenital heart disease and oral clefts.
In a 2018 study, 30 couples struggling with fertility, for at least 4 years, were included in this program. At least one of the partners was a carrier of the MTHFR genetic mutation. The couples were given 600 micrograms of folate per day for 3 months. The results; nearly half of the couples (13/30) were able to conceive in just 3 months. These findings are huge and show how powerful and impactful the right nutrition can be for fertility! This is exactly why WeNatal formulas include 5-MTHF, the active form of vitamin B9.
4. Vitamin D
WeNatal for HER contains 4,000 IU
Recommend for pregnancy/breastfeeding 4,000 IU
Most women are deficient in vitamin D, which is crucial for supporting the growing needs of the baby. Vitamin D promotes calcium absorption and is critical for bone growth. Additionally, it plays a role in reducing inflammation and supporting immune function.
Vitamin D deficiency is common among women and plays a crucial role in supporting the growing needs of the baby. Adequate vitamin D levels aid in calcium absorption, which is essential for bone growth. Additionally, research suggests that sufficient vitamin D levels may help reduce the risk of postpartum depression. WeNatal for Her addresses this deficiency by including 4000 IU of vitamin D, ensuring optimal support for both mom and baby.
Studies indicate that maternal postpartum vitamin D supplementation of 28,000 IU per week (4,000 IU per day) effectively improves infant vitamin D status when breastfeeding. WeNatal for Her is one of the few prenatal supplements that contains 4,000 IU of vitamin D to support both mom and baby.
WeNatal Formulas At a Glance
Beyond these 4 essential vitamins, WeNatal stands out as one of the few brands on the market that truly aligns with the most current recommendations for essential nutrients that are often overlooked or underdosed by other prenatal supplements. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in our comprehensive formula, which comprises 24 scientifically proven ingredients, nearly double the number found in most other prenatal vitamins.
But what really sets WeNatal apart is our holistic approach to reproductive health. Our prenatal vitamins are not just designed for expectant mothers; they also benefit fathers-to-be and babies, supporting the entire family from preconception through postpartum. We recognize that a healthy pregnancy starts well before conception and extends far beyond birth, which is why our formulas are carefully balanced to nourish both partners, enhancing fertility, promoting healthy development, and ensuring that both mom and dad are prepared for the journey ahead.
Supplementing Not Substituting
Despite their importance, prenatal vitamins should not be relied upon as the primary source of nutrients. A healthy and balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, proteins, and healthy fats is essential for overall health and optimal pregnancy outcomes. Whole foods contain a variety of nutrients, as well as fiber and other beneficial compounds that supplements cannot replicate.
Taking a prenatal with the right balance of bioavailable nutrients at each stage of pregnancy is so important. And remember, your nutrient needs don’t stop once your baby is in your arms. In fact, those first few months postpartum and while breastfeeding are particularly demanding on your body. Also, the food you eat and supplements you take today can impact your baby's physical and cognitive health into adulthood. This is why we recommend continuing a prenatal throughout each stage of pregnancy and beyond.
When it comes to your prenatal care, don’t settle for anything less than the best— WeNatal helps support you every step of the way.
