Supporting your health during pregnancy is essential for both you and your growing baby. While a balanced diet provides a foundation of nutrients, most people who are pregnant are likely to need a nutrition supplement as their bodies must meet the additional demands of pregnancy and a growing baby.
In particular, attention should be given to folic acid (especially in the earliest stages of pregnancy) and vitamin D, but some people may also need extra omega-3 and iodine, and vegans will need to make sure they are taking adequate vitamin B12.
We tried and tested a variety of pregnancy supplements to find the best offerings on the market. Plus, find additional guidance and support on nutrition, what to look out for in a supplement and making the most of your supplement. Read on to discover more.
Best pregnancy vitamins at a glance
- Vitabiotics Pregnacare Max, £14.95
- Superdrug Pregnancy Support, £3.99
- Wild Nutrition Pregnancy + New Mother Multi, £41
- Wild Nutrition Pregnancy + New Mother Omega-3, £25
- Vitl Pregnancy & Breastfeeding, £19.95
- Together Health Pregnancy, £16.99
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Best pregnancy supplements 2025
Vitabiotics Pregnacare Max
Available from Amazon (£12.35), Boots (£20), Vitabiotics (£20.25)
Star rating: 4.5/5
Price per day (recommended dose): 72p
A daily dose of three capsules – a pair of essential vitamins and minerals with a separate omega-3 capsule – which can feel a lot if you find it hard to swallow tablets.
It’s one of the more expensive options we tested, but the omega-3 DHA content makes it a good choice if you’re not fond of fish; this is important for normal brain and eye development.
Made with halal gelatin and fish oil so not suitable for vegetarians or vegans.
Available from:
Superdrug Pregnancy support
Available from Superdrug (£3.99)
Star rating: 4/5
Price per day (recommended dose): 13p
One of the cheapest options, containing 20 essential nutrients for pregnancy and breastfeeding, including vitamin D and folic acid (both at 200% NRV). At least 100% NRV for all nutrients except magnesium (16%) and calcium (15%).
Our tester found the one-a-day capsules easy to take. Added talc gave some concern.
Available from:
Wild Nutrition Pregnancy + New Mother Multi
Available from Wild Nutrition (£32.80), Amazon (£39.50)
Star rating: 4/5
Price per day (recommended dose): £1.05
The most expensive supplement we tested. A naturally food-grown supplement with over 20 nutrients, including bioflavonoids, choline and Coenzyme Q10 as well as essential vitamins and minerals. The B12 content is particularly high, making it good for vegans, but the iodine content at only 33% NRV is a disappointment.
Available from:
Wild Nutrition Pregnancy + New mother Omega 3
Available from Wild Nutrition (£20), Amazon (£25)
Star rating: 4/5
Price per day (recommended dose): 80p
Sustainably sourced fish forms the basis of this omega-3 supplement. Contains only DHA and EPA fish oils, with no additional vitamins or minerals, so another supplement would be needed to provide at least NRV of vitamin D and folic acid. Our tester found it had a fishy aftertaste.
Available from:
Vitl Pregnancy
Available from Vitl (£19.95)
Star rating: 3.5/5
Price per day (recommended dose): 83p
Suitable for pregnancy and breastfeeding, with all of the key nutrients providing at least 100% NRV (except magnesium at 32%) and no bulking agents. One of the few products suitable for vegans as no animal-derived vitamin D. The price point is relatively high for a one-month supply. One coated tablet per day, but our tester found this to have a strong smell and vinegary aftertaste.
Available from:
Together Health Pregnancy
Available from Superdrug (£13.59), Together Health (£16.99)
Star rating: 3.5/5
Price per day (recommended dose): 53p
Claims to be a naturally effective supplement and highly absorbed, with natural inositol and choline, but has the lowest levels of calcium and magnesium (only 8% NRV) and iodine (only 50% NRV). Food extracts include seaweed and spinach, while nutritional-yeast-derived nutrients and lichen-sourced vitamin D make it a suitable supplement for vegans and vegetarians.
Available from:
Which nutrients are important for pregnancy?
During pregnancy the body becomes more efficient at absorbing and using nutrients, so not many vitamins and minerals are actually needed in higher amounts. For example, iron needs in pregnancy are not different to adult women who are not pregnant; this is partly due to savings in iron losses as menstruation stops during pregnancy.
Current nutrition guidelines suggest that an extra 0.1mg Vitamin B1, 0.3mg vitamin B2 and 10mg vitamin C are needed to top up the usual amounts of these nutrients in women. Vitamin D during pregnancy is the same as for all adults, at 10mcg. Recent research has also suggested that iodine levels are often too low in pregnant women.
Of key concern in pregnancy is folic acid. All pregnant women (as well as those trying to conceive) need to take extra folic acid every day until the 12th week of pregnancy to reduce risk of babies being born with neural tube defects, such as spina bifida. It’s unlikely that the additional 400mg can be achieved by diet alone, so supplements are recommended.
Read more: what is folic acid?
Omega-3 essential fatty acids are also important for brain and eye development, and the best source of omega-3 is oily fish. Everyone is advised to have one portion of oily fish (eg mackerel, sardines or salmon) a week to provide omega-3 and other essential nutrients. If you don’t eat oily fish, it can be useful to include a specially formulated omega 3 supplement, containing DHA and EPA , but not from fish liver oil, as this can be too high in Vitamin A during pregnancy.
What makes a good pregnancy supplement?
Vitamin A is needed in pregnancy, but supplements containing vitamin A should be avoided as they risk harm to the baby.
Those following a vegan diet during pregnancy need to be particularly aware of their vitamin D, vitamin B12 and iodine intake. Algal or lichen supplements can provide vitamin D, instead of the usual animal-derived version.
A good pregnancy supplement should always contain at least vitamin D and folic acid, but extra omega-3 can help support babies’ eye and brain development, especially if you don’t eat oily fish. Algal sources of omega-3 are suitable for vegetarians and vegans too.
How to make the most of pregnancy vitamins
Pregnancy is a time when many women become conscious of how their nutrition can impact their developing baby as well as their own health. While we now know there is no need to ‘eat for two’, there are some foods and drinks which need to be limited during pregnancy and some nutrients that need a bit more attention, such as vitamin D and folic acid. On top of that, it can become uncomfortable to eat large meals, so vitamin and mineral supplements can help to achieve nutrient needs when you can only eat small meals or simply don’t feel like eating when you are suffering from morning sickness. Eating small portions of nutrient-dense foods regularly can be helpful, and increasing foods rich in fibre and drinking enough fluid can help maintain gut health too.
For more information on how to be a healthy mum-to-be, including a guide debunking some of the myths, see:
What we looked for in pregnancy supplements
All supplements were tested within the same time period, with observations recorded based on the testing criteria. We included samples from various manufacturers, with a range of price points to suit different budgets. The key areas we assessed were:
- Taste and flavour: is the consuming experience pleasant?
- Nutrient profile: which nutrients are included? And at what levels? How does this compare to the NRV?
- Additives: does the supplement contain additives, such as preservatives, artificial sweeteners or colourings, for example?
- Dietary requirements: does the product meet any specific dietary needs – is it vegetarian or vegan?
- Value for money: how does it compare to other products on a cost-per-day basis?
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