June 10, 2026
Do you have to take prenatal vitamins?
Do you have to take prenatal vitamins?
There's no law requiring you to take prenatal vitamins, but nearly every major medical organization strongly recommends them. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), and the World Health Organization (WHO) all advise prenatal supplementation during pregnancy and the preconception period.
The reason is straightforward: pregnancy dramatically increases your body's demand for certain nutrients, and most people can't meet those elevated needs through food alone. Even with a well-balanced diet, gaps are common in folate, iron, vitamin D, choline, and iodine.
RELATED: How to choose a prenatal vitamin
Why prenatal vitamins are so widely recommended
The most compelling case for prenatals centers on folate. The neural tube, which becomes the baby's brain and spinal cord, forms within the first 28 days after conception. That's typically before most people even know they're pregnant. Without adequate folate circulating in your blood at that point, the risk of neural tube defects like spina bifida and anencephaly increases meaningfully.
A 2024 meta-analysis found that folic acid supplementation before and during the first trimester reduced the risk of congenital anomalies by 77%, which is quite significant. This is the kind of evidence that drives a Grade A recommendation from the USPSTF.
Beyond folate, iron is needed to support the roughly 45% increase in blood volume that occurs during pregnancy. Vitamin D supports calcium absorption and fetal bone growth. Choline contributes to brain development and placental function. DHA, a type of omega 3 fat, supports the rapid brain growth that happens especially in the third trimester.
What happens if you don't take them?
Skipping prenatal vitamins doesn't guarantee problems, but it does increase risk. Iron deficiency anemia, for example, can increase the risk for preterm delivery and low birth weight. Inadequate folate raises the risk of neural tube defects. Low vitamin D has been associated with an increased chance for developing preeclampsia and gestational diabetes.
A 2022 review examining over 200 studies concluded that suboptimal vitamin intake from preconception through pregnancy is associated with a wide range of complications for both parent and child.
Can you get everything from food?
In theory, it's possible. In practice, it's extremely difficult, particularly for nutrients like choline (most people fall well below the 450 mg daily recommendation) and vitamin D (this is a common and widespread deficiency, especially in northern latitudes). Modern food processing also strips micronutrients like magnesium from grains and produce, making dietary sufficiency harder to achieve than it once was.
A prenatal vitamin works alongside your diet, not instead of it. Think of it as nutritional insurance that fills the gaps food alone tends to leave.
RELATED: Essential nutrients for fertility, pregnancy, postpartum, and breastfeeding
A note from WeNatal on prenatal vitamin recommendations
WeNatal for Her was formulated to deliver the nutrients the research consistently identifies as most important, and most commonly underdosed, in prenatal supplements. With 1350 mcg of methylfolate, 400 mg of choline, 4000 IU of vitamin D3, and 18 mg of Ferrochel® iron bisglycinate in just three capsules per day, it's designed to close the gaps that matter most. If you're weighing whether to start a prenatal, the evidence strongly supports it.
RELATED: The ultimate preconception guide: What to do when you're ready to get pregnant
References
Adams JB, et al. (2022). Evidence based recommendations for an optimal prenatal supplement for women in the US. Maternal Health, Neonatology and Perinatology, 8:4. DOI: 10.1186/s40748-022-00139-9
Moges N, et al. (2024). The effect of folic acid intake on congenital anomalies: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Pediatrics, 12:1386846. DOI: 10.3389/fped.2024.1386846
