Bird&Be Prenatal vs. Female Formulations Comprehensive Prenatal Multivitamin: What is the best prenatal supplement?

Prenatal SupplementsPregnancy PrepPregnancy
Written By Natalie Underberg

If you are preparing for conception or currently pregnant, it’s vitally important to have a high-quality prenatal vitamin to ensure the health of both baby and mama.

 
 

Did you know, whether or not you’re taking a prenatal, your baby will get the necessary nutrients by pulling them from your bones?

During pregnancy, your body acts as a bank for calcium and other minerals, so if you aren’t nourishing with a proper prenatal, your little babe will extract them from your bone tissue to provide for it’s needs. This process can lead to a decrease in bone density for the mother which, in turn, could lead to problems like osteopenia or osteoporosis.

Don’t let this scare you into driving to the nearest CVS and scavenging the aisles for the cheapest prenatal, though, because…

Prenatal supplements are not created equally.

When comparing prenatal supplements, it's crucial to consider the nutrient content and quality. You may have seen Instagram ads for popular prenatals and while they may be aesthetically pleasing and taste yummy with the addition of synthetic essences, let’s get to what really matters inside a prenatal supplement.

Let’s compare the Bird&Be Essential Prenatal and the Female Formulations Complete Prenatal Multi:

Bird&Be Essential Prenatal Vitamin

Serving Size:

  • 1 sachet (3 capsules)

Key Ingredients:

  • Folate: 1000 mcg (as Folic Acid 0.4 mg and as 5-MTHF 0.6 mg)

  • Vitamin D: 1000 IU (as Cholecalciferol)

  • Magnesium: 20 mg (as Magnesium Citrate)

  • Choline: 150 mg (as Choline Bitartrate)

  • Vitamin A: 540 mcg RAE (as Vitamin A Palmitate)

  • Vitamin B6: 25 mg (as Pyridoxal 5-Phosphate)

  • Vitamin B12: 1000 mcg (as Methylcobalamin)

  • Vitamin C: 100 mg (as Ascorbic Acid)

  • Vitamin E: 16.75 mg (as D-Alpha-Tocopheryl Succinate)

  • Biotin: 50 mcg

  • Calcium: 100 mg (as Calcium Citrate)

  • Selenium: 100 mcg (as Selenium Chelate)

  • Iodine: 220 mcg (as Potassium Iodide)

  • Zinc: 25 mg (as Zinc Citrate)

  • Vitamin B1: 5 mg (as Thiamine)

  • Vitamin B2: 1.5 mg (as Riboflavin) 

  • Vitamin B3: 30 mg (as Niacinamide)

  • Vitamin B5: 10 mg (as Calcium Pantothenate)

  • Chromium: 100 mcg (as Chromium Picolinate)

  • Copper: 2 mg (as Copper Citrate)

  • Iron: 27 mg (as Ferrous Bisglycinate Chelate)

  • Molybdenum: 50 mcg (as Molybdenum Citrate)

Highlights:

  • 22 total key ingredients

  • Vitamin sachet for multiple capsules

  • Includes an Omega-3 capsule (300 mg)

  • Includes Vitamin B1, B2, B3, and B5

  • Additional minerals like Chromium, Copper, Iodine, and Molybdenum

  • Iodine and Selenium for thyroid support

Downfalls:

  • Some under-dosed ingredients

  • Synthetic forms of vitamins like Folic Acid

  • Includes iron

    • Some women do not process iron well or do not need iron supplementation

 

Female Formulations Complete Prenatal Multi

Serving Size:

  • 6 capsules

Key Ingredients:

  • Folate: 1600 mcg DFE (as the biologically available form: L-5-MTHF)

  • Vitamin D: 4000 IU (as Cholecalciferol)

  • Magnesium: 350 mg (as TRAACS® Magnesium Biglycinate)

  • Choline: 900 mg (as Choline Bitartrate)

  • Vitamin A: 900 mcg (as Beta Carotene and Vitamin A Palmitate

  • Vitamin B6: 50 mg (as Pyridoxal 5-Phosphate)

  • Vitamin B12: 150 mcg (as Methylcobalamin)

  • Vitamin C: 200 mg (as Sodium Ascorbate)

  • Vitamin E: 33 mg (as mixed Tocopherols)

  • Biotin: 500 mcg (as D-Biotin)

  • Calcium: 137 mg (as Calcium Glycinate and Calcium Pantothenate)

  • Selenium: 200 mcg (as L-Selenomethionine)

  • Iodine: 300 mcg (as Potassium Iodide)

  • Zinc: 25 mg (as TRAACS® Zinc Biglycinate)

  • Vitamin K: 50 mcg (as Vitamin K2 Menaquinone-7)

  • Thiamin: 5 mg (as Thiamine Mononitrate)

  • Riboflavin: 5 mg (as Riboflavin 5 Phosphate)

  • Niacin: 25 mg (as Niacinamide)

  • Pantothenic Acid: 150 mg (as Calcium Pantothenate)

  • Potassium: 100 mg (Potassium Citrate)

  • Inositol: 500 mg

  • CoQ10: 50 mg (Ubiquinone)

Highlights:

  • 22 total key ingredients for mama & baby

  • Therapeutic dose of magnesium

  • Inositol: 500 mg

    • Added inositol for blood sugar balance and healthy egg quality

  • High dose of choline for brain development (highest dose in any prenatal on the market)

  • Methylated B vitamins for better absorption

  • Iodine and Selenium for thyroid support

  • Additional ingredients for antioxidant, blood sugar and fertility support (Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin B6, Vitamin D, Selenium, CoQ10, Folate, Inositol)

  • CoQ10: 50 mg

  • No iron included

    • Some women do not process iron well or do not need iron supplementation. If you do need iron supplementation, we recommend an easily absorbable option like this. 

Downfalls:

  • Omega-3 sold separately (1600 mg)

So what’s the verdict?

The Female Formulations by the PCOS Doc Complete Prenatal Multi offers a more comprehensive formulation with higher doses of critical nutrients like Vitamin D and Choline, which are essential for cognitive development and overall health during pregnancy. It also includes specialized ingredients such as Inositol that provides added benefits for those with PCOS or blood sugar concerns. Aside from Vitamin B12 and Zinc, the Bird&Be Essentials Vitamin focuses on essential vitamins and minerals however the dosage is not nearly enough to properly supplement mama and baby. Another downfall of Bird&Be Essentials is some of the vitamins such as Folate, Magnesium, Vitamin C, Selenium, and Zinc included are not in the most optimal form.

What makes Female Formulations different?

Vitamin A is included in two forms: beta-carotene and retinyl palmitate, to help support those who have trouble converting “provitamin A” compounds (such as beta-carotene) into the active retinyl/retinol forms. Vitamin C and COQ10 provide antioxidant support, support a healthy immune system, and cellular integrity.

Female Formulations also contains L-5-MTHF, the most biologically available form of folate, plus a 900 mg clinical dose of choline which is essential to support healthy cognitive development:

Choline is an essential nutrient that's critical for fetal development and brain health during pregnancy. It's involved in many physiological processes, including neural tube formation, tissue expansion, membrane biosynthesis, and gene expression. Choline also influences stem cell proliferation and apoptosis, which can alter the structure and function of the brain and spinal cord. 

The recommended amount of choline for pregnant women is 450 milligrams (mg) per day, but most pregnant women in the U.S. don't get enough. Choline is found in many foods, including eggs, lean red meat, fish, poultry, legumes, nuts, and cruciferous vegetables. You can also get choline through supplements.

Even if you aren’t pregnant or looking to conceive, the Complete Prenatal Multi may also be taken as a potent and pure multivitamin.

Natalie Underberg
Previous

Are PCOS & IBS Related?
Next

The Ultimate Non-Toxic Baby Guide: Why You Should Avoid Popular Baby Brands