According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are 32 vitamins and nutrients that help your baby to grow during pregnancy. Folic Acid, iron, calcium, vitamin D, and iodine supplementation are considered essential to the health of a baby. Docosahexanoic acid (DHA) may also be beneficial for fetal brain and eye development. It’s difficult, if not downright impossible, to obtain these nutrients from food sources alone. These best gummy prenatal vitamins are a great option for moms-to-be because they taste great, and contain many of the elements you and your baby need to stay healthy.
Gummy vitamins are a fun, great-tasting way to supplement your diet. However, they have a few issues. Looking at the product labels, most have some form of added sugar. This is why gummy vitamins taste so great! Unfortunately, this sugar, plus the sticky vitamin texture, is bad for teeth (source). In addition, gummy vitamins are not as shelf-stable and contain fewer nutrients than regular adult vitamins. Gummies are more likely to lose potency, and you may not actually get the amount of nutrients indicated on the label.
Best Gummy Prenatal Vitamins
Choosing the right vitamins for pregnancy is very important. DHA is an omega-3 fatty acid that is vital for eye development of infants, especially during the last trimester. Vitafusion Prenatal Gummy Vitamins and Solimo Prenatal include DHA, while Garden of Life Organics Prenatal Gummy Vitamins does not, requiring you to take an extra supplement.
Garden of Life myKind Organics Prenatal Gummy Vitamins
Garden of Life myKind Organics Prenatal Gummy Vitamins are the only certified kosher item on this list. The others often use gelatin derived from pork to make the gummy texture.
Nutrition
This option, as well as other other vitamins on this list, does not contain iron. However, it also lacks DHA, so an additional supplement would be necessary.
These vitamins are sourced from organic fruits and vegetables. Whole foods are unprocessed and easier for your body to absorb than synthetic vitamins. Additionally, these are certified kosher, non-GMO, organic, and vegan. They are also third-party tested for purity.
Other Considerations
The texture of this gummy vitamin resembles fruit leather. They taste yummy, and have a natural berry flavor. Overall, they appear to be a good supplement to a healthy diet.
The biggest downfall is the price. Taking the recommended two vitamins daily costs twice as much as other options. However, this is what you must pay for a minimally processed vitamin.
Pros
- Kosher, non-GMO, organic, and vegan
- Third-party tested for quality
- Made using whole foods that are easier for the body to absorb
- Great flavor
Cons
- Does not contain iron
- More expensive than other brands
- Does not contain DHA
VitaFusion Prenatal Gummy Vitamin
DHA is included in VitaFusion Prenatal Gummy Vitamin to give your little one a “brain boost.” It comes in a natural raspberry lemonade flavor.
Nutrition
This gummy prenatal multivitamin has a higher overall vitamin content than others on this list. It has 100% of the daily recommended value of nutrients, and more minerals and iodine than some of the other options.
It also has a greater amount of vitamin C. You would need to eat ten tangerines to achieve the same level, so it is great for immune support.
The fish oil used in this supplement comes from tuna that has been tested for PCBs and mercury to ensure quality.
Other Considerations
For mommies who have allergies, this may not be best the choice. Although the vitamins are free of dairy, gluten, and other allergens, they are produced in a facility where cross-contamination with shellfish, fish, tree nuts, soy, and egg may occur.
For an additional endorsement, this vitamin won the 2022 Chef’s Best Excellence Award. This highlights the quality standards of the manufacturer. No corn syrup or synthetic dyes are used.
Pros
- A nutritionally complete supplement
- Fish oil sourced from mercury-free tuna
- Earned the 2022 Chef’s Best Excellence Award
- Contains higher levels of DHA and minerals
Cons
- Does not contain iron
- Processed in an environment with common allergen-inducing ingredients
Nature Made Prenatal Gummies
The Nature Made Prenatal Gummies claim to be the “first gummy vitamin that’s specially formulated to help baby’s brain grow.” That’s because there is a healthy dose of DHA and choline in each one.
Nutrition
Unlike the regular Nature Made Prenatal Multi Vitamin, this version does not have iron. That’s great if you suffer from constipation, but not ideal if you experience anemia during your pregnancy. Prenatal iron supplementation has also been shown to reduce intrauterine growth retardation and low birth weights (source).
This vitamin supplies a full day’s worth of folic acid, and vitamins B and D. There’s also a healthy dose of iodine to supplement what is eaten in foods.
The key highlight of this vitamin, however, is the addition of choline and DHA. There’s 58mg of Omega-2 DHA and 55mg of choline in each gummy. Choline is an essential nutrient during pregnancy for stem cell development, and support of fetal brain structure and function.
Other Considerations
The flavor of these gummies is great! Since most moms buy gummies to avoid the nausea caused by prenatal tablet vitamins, this is good news. Plus, the great flavor is created without any artificial flavors, high fructose corn syrup, artificial sweeteners, or gluten.
Unfortunately, the actual vitamin content per gummy is relatively low. So, while these Nature Made gummies are certainly tasty and provide some nutritional help, they aren’t as potent as other choices on the market.
Pros
- Choline for baby’s brain development
- Contains essential nutrients such as iodine and Vitamin D
- No artificial ingredients
- Tastes great, and doesn’t get stuck in teeth
Cons
- Does not contain iron
- Has small dosages of many important vitamins and minerals
Solimo Prenatal Vitamins & DHA
With yummy orange, lemon, and strawberry flavors, Solimo Prenatal Vitamins & DHA are a tasty way to get additional nutrition. They provide choline, folic acid, and DHA to support fetal development.
Nutrition
Despite some great ingredients, this prenatal vitamin lacks calcium and certain minerals included in other brands. The recommended dose is two gummies daily.
Vitamin B9 is present the form of folic acid instead of folate. Folic acid is more readily absorbed by the intestines, and is an ideal form when included in a vitamin (source).
As is the case with most options on this list, these do not contain iron. Some mommies might need an additional iron supplement while taking these gummies.
The coloring comes from natural sources, including turmeric, purple carrots, and annatto. The company also uses natural flavors.
Other Considerations
If you dislike gummies that have a rubbery texture, this product may be a good alternative. They are soft and gel-like, even more than the average fruit snack.
However, some mommies do not enjoy this texture. It may seem a bit grainy. Some reviewers also complained of an aftertaste from of the fish-sourced DHA, especially in the strawberry-flavored ones.
This is a good choice for mothers who have food allergies. It is free of soy, gluten, and dairy.
Pros
- Good flavored vitamins with natural flavoring
- Have choline, folic acid, DHA, and vitamins
- Very soft texture
- Coloring comes from natural sources
- Free of soy, gluten, and dairy
- Contains easy to absorb folic acid instead of folate
Cons
- Texture may be off-putting
- The strawberry flavor has a fishy after taste
Best SmartyPants Prenatals
The serving for SmartyPants Organic Prenatal Vitamins is four gummies daily, while the SmartyPants Prenatal Daily Multivitamin serving size is 6 vitamins per day. When pregnancy has you feeling nauseous, these differences in serving size can be important. However, the Smartypants Prenatal Daily Multivitamin tastes better, and is smaller than the SmartyPants Organic Prenatal Vitamin.
SmartyPants Daily Organic Gummy Prenatal Multivitamins
The SmartyPants Daily Organic Gummy Prenatal Multivitamins are the organic version of the classic SmartyPants Prenatal Gummy Vitamins. This one also includes probiotics.
Organic Ingredients
Theisproduct has the best organic ingredients for gummy prenatal vitamins! These include folate, vegetarian omegas, vitamin D3, vitamin B12, and other great vitamins.
In addition, SmartyPants contains soil-based probiotics which are great for digestive health! With these, there is no need to take a separate probiotic supplement.
Other Considerations
The serving size is 4 gummies per day, taken with food or on an empty stomach. Each container includes 120 gummies which gives you have a month supply.
Some buyers, however, felt that the flavor and texture could be improved upon. Given that organic ingredients plus probiotics are used, it’s not too surprising that the flavor may not be as pleasant as non-organic prenatal gummy multivitamins.
Pros
- Organic ingredients
- Probiotics included
- 1 container = 1 month’s worth
Cons
- Taste isn’t great
- Texture may be weird
SmartyPants Prenatal Gummy Vitamins
For mommies with food allergies, SmartyPants Prenatal Gummy Vitamins are the perfect prenatal supplement. They are free of gluten, milk, soy, fish, egg, tree nut, peanut, wheat, and shellfish. The natural flavor options are lemon, orange, and strawberry-banana.
Nutrition
The best features of this vitamin are the folate and other B vitamins, iodine, and DHA. Vitamin E provides an antioxidant source. The DHA is sustainably sourced from small, wild-caught fish.
When creating these prenatal vitamins, the company only added bioavailable forms of each ingredient. This means they are easily absorbed by the intestines, providing more nutrition. Additionally, these supplements have undergone testing for purity and potency.
The colors and flavors used in these vitamins are natural and non-GMO. They are free of high fructose corn syrup, and are instead sweetened with organic tapioca syrup and cane sugar. Something to note, however, is that the gummies might develop dark spots or turn a darker color over time because the natural colors degrade.
Unfortunately, these vitamins have less DHA than other products on the market. They also lack iron, calcium, and minerals like magnesium, selenium, and zinc.
Other Considerations
These gummies are smaller in size than the average vitamin. The recommended daily dosage is six per day. This can be problematic if you forget how many you have taken. The smaller size, however, may be a bonus for mommies with morning sickness who may feel nauseous after taking a full-sized vitamin.
Mothers can also feel good about their purchase. With every bottle, the SmartyPants company makes a 1-to-1 donation to Vitamin Angels which aids malnourished children around the world.
Pros
- Smaller gummies might be ideal for moms with morning sickness
- Yummy flavors that are naturally sweetened
- Free of many major allergens
- Has undergone testing for purity and potency
- 1-to-1 donation for Vitamin Angels
Cons
- Natural coloring breaks down over time
- Not as much DHA as other supplements
- Missing iron and other important minerals
Best Nature’s Bounty Prenatals
Both Nature’s Bounty Prenatal Multivitamins include what is essential for your baby’s growth and development. However, Nature’s Way Alive! Prenatal Gummy Multivitamin is less expensive with a 45 day supply of vitamins versus Nature’s Bounty Prenatal Gummies 20 day supply. The latter is pricier choice.
Nature’s Way Alive! Prenatal Gummy Multivitamins
The Nature’s Way Alive! Prenatal Gummy Multivitamins are reasonably-priced, with plant-sourced DHA.
Good Ingredients
The DHA in Alive! Prenatal Gummy Multivitamins does NOT come from fish oil. Instead, it is algae derived!
In this product, there are eight vitamins and minerals, plus a 50 mg powder blend of orchard fruits and garden veggies. Pectin is used to form the gummy texture instead of gelatin. In addition, you won’t find gluten, artificial flavoring, dairy, eggs, soy, peanuts, wheat, yeast, or preservatives here.
45-Day Supply
Unlike many prenatal gummy multivitamins that offer a 30-day supply or less, this container includes enough for 45 days. The amount you get for the price is a pretty great deal overall.
Pros
- Plant-sourced DHA
- No controversial ingredients
- 45-day supply
- Great price
Cons
- Taste may not be great
Nature’s Bounty Prenatal Gummies
Some mom’s only want a simple gummy that tastes great and provides a few essential nutrients. For an option that has all of the recommended vitamins and minerals along with omega-3s, the Nature’s Bounty Prenatal Gummies are for you!
DHA and EPA Omega-3s
These berry-flavored gummies provide lots of nutrients for you and your growing baby’s body. Two forms of omega-3 fatty acids, DHA and EPA, are included in Nature’s Bounty Prenatal Gummies. You’ll find at least 27.4 mg of DHA and EPA in each serving. These are sourced from fish oil (whole fish), and promote with fetal growth and development. However, some pregnant women experience side effects when taking EPA, so speak to your doctor first (source).
Other Considerations
One serving size is three gummies, and one full container holds 60. This only gives you only 20 days worth of vitamins which isn’t much considering the price. It’s inconvenient not to have at least a full month of gummy prenatal vitamins.
It is recommended that these be taken a few hours before or after other supplements or medications. This alone could be an inconvenience. With potential “pregnancy brain,” you’re likely to forget this amidst everything else you must remember!
Finally, there is no iron in these gummy prenatal vitamins. For mom’s who are sensitive to iron, this may be an advantage. If your doctor recommends that you take iron, an additional supplement will be necessary.
Pros
- Tastes great
- Includes DHA and EPA
- No iron (for those with iron sensitivities)
Cons
- Only 20 days worth
- Pricey
- Shouldn’t take gummies with medication or other supplements
- No iron
Comparing the Best Gummy Prenatal Vitamins
The table below compares only the recommended products on this page. A low or high Price means it is low or high compared to the other products listed. The Popularity Score reflects how often readers click on and buy the product. The Quality Score is our assessment of the overall performance and satisfaction with the product compared to others in the table.
Garden of Life myKind Organics Prenatal Gummy Vitamins | 9.8 | 9.0 | 26.59 |
SmartyPants Prenatal Gummy Vitamins | 9.9 | 9.0 | 26.13 |
SmartyPants Daily Organic Gummy Prenatal Multivitamins | 9.7 | 8.8 | 22.49 |
Nature Made Prenatal Gummies | 9.4 | 8.2 | 18.68 |
Nature's Bounty Prenatal Gummies | 3.9 | 8.8 | 18.19 |
Nature's Way Alive! Prenatal Gummy Multivitamins | 8.6 | 7.8 | 12.98 |
VitaFusion Prenatal Gummy Vitamin | 9.9 | 9.4 | 9.98 |
Solimo Prenatal Vitamins & DHA | 5.5 | 9.0 | - |
FAQs – Gummy Prenatal Vitamins
What do I need to look for in a prenatal gummy vitamin?
Prenatal gummies are designed to support the healthy development of your little one. For the most benefit, it is important to choose a gummy that has all the vitamins, nutrients, and minerals that your little one needs. While most options provide the core recommended vitamins, there are aspects that differ. Here are some of the most important elements for fetal development:
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
In prenatal vitamins, DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) is the most common omega-3 ingredient, something that naturally occurs in breastmilk. Some manufacturers also include EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid). Omega-3 fatty acids are critical for the development of the eyes, brain, and nerve cells (source). DHA composes much of the fatty acids in the fetal brain and eyes during the last trimester of pregnancy (source).
Folic Acid
Folic acid plays a critical role in preventing defects of the neural tube. These are defects that affect the brain and spinal cord. One example of this is spina bifida which causes the spinal cord to grow outside of your infant’s body. Such conditions are very serious and can be fatal.
Iron
Your baby’s bone marrow will be producing many red blood cells while in your womb. A supplement high in iron will prevent anemia, and support your baby’s brain development (source). However, it can be difficult to find a gummy vitamin with iron. This most likely because, when chewed, iron stains teeth. It is better to select both a gummy prenatal vitamin and separate iron supplement.
Calcium and Vitamin D
During pregnancy, calcium is released from a mother’s bones to help support the growth of the fetus. Vitamin D promotes calcium absorption into bones. Taking these supplements is, therefore, important to prevent excessive maternal bone loss, and to support fetal bone growth. Calcium and vitamin D are most essential during the third trimester when bones grow at a rapid rate.
Other Included Elements
In addition to these key nutrients, you may want to consider a supplement with vitamins A, C, and E as well as iodine, copper, and zinc. If you are unable to find a prenatal gummy vitamin with everything you need, your doctor may recommend taking additional supplements. For example, iron pills may be prescribed because prenatal gummies do not have this essential mineral.
Why are prenatal vitamins important?
Odds are, there is nothing wrong with your usual daily adult vitamin. However, pregnant women need to provide for their own body as well as their baby’s nourishment. Prenatal vitamins are designed to have higher levels of the ingredients discussed in this article, especially iron and folic acid. In addition, omega-3 fatty acids like DHA are often left out of regular adult vitamins.
Prenatal vitamins also benefit expectant mothers. Although a well-balanced diet is encouraged, pregnancy cravings are not always satisfied by healthy foods. Prenatal vitamins provide the nutrients needed for a healthy pregnancy, even on those days when you make not-so-healthy food choices.
Keep in mind, however, that prenatal vitamins are not a substitute for good nutrition. Healthy prenatal food choices are important for maintaining your own health during pregnancy. Not to mention, it keeps those cute maternity shirts from fitting too tight.
Are gummy prenatal vitamins effective?
Unfortunately, gummy prenatal vitamins lack some of the vitamins and minerals that are necessary during pregnancy. For example, iron, typically included in prenatal vitamin tablets, has been omitted from gummy vitamin formulations.
That being said, gummy prenatal vitamins are sometimes the only option that doesn’t cause vomiting. When it comes down to it, gummy prenatal vitamins are better than no vitamins at all!