FullWell 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 FullWell Women’s Prenatal Multivitamin and the Female Formulations Complete Prenatal Multi:

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 Bisglycinate)

  • 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)

  • Sodium: 26 mg (as Sodium Ascorbate)

  • Potassium: 100 mg (Potassium Citrate)

  • Inositol: 500 mg

  • CoQ10: 50 mg (Ubiquinone)

Highlights:

  • 23 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

  • Omega-3 sold separately (1600 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:

  • Slightly more expensive ($68)

 

FullWell Women’s Prenatal Multivitamin

Serving Size:

  • 8 capsules

Key Ingredients:

  • Folate: 1360 mcg DFE (as L-5-Methyltetrahydrofolate Calcium & Calcium Folinate)

  • Vitamin D: 4000 IU (as Cholecalciferol)

  • Magnesium: 300 mg (as Magnesium Bisglycinate Chelate Buffered)

  • Choline: 300 mg (as Choline Bitartrate)

  • Vitamin A: 1500 mcg (as Retinyl Palmitate & Beta-Carotene)

  • Vitamin B6: 20 mg (as Pyridoxal 5-Phosphate)

  • Vitamin B12: 150 mcg (as Methylcobalamin & Adenosylcobalamin)

  • Vitamin C: 275 mg (as Ascorbic Acid)

  • Vitamin E: 100 mg (as D-Alpha Tocopheryl Succinate)

  • Biotin: 500 mcg

  • Calcium: 400 mg (as Dicalcium Malate)

  • Selenium: 200 mcg (as L-Selenomethionine)

  • Iodine: 250 mcg (from Kelp)

  • Zinc: 20 mg (as Zinc Bisglycinate Chelate)

  • Vitamin K2: 100 mcg (as Menaquinone-7) (MK-7)

  • Thiamin: 5 mg (as Thiamine HCI)

  • Riboflavin: 10 mg (as Riboflavin & Riboflavin 5 Phosphate)

  • Niacin: 25 mg NE

  • Pantothenic Acid: 150 mg (as d-Calcium Pantothenate)

  • Chromium: 120 mcg (as Chromium Nicotinate Glycinate Chelate)

  • Copper: 750 mcg (as Copper Bisglycinate Chelate)

  • Molybdenum: 100 mcg (as Molybdenum Glycinate Chelate)

  • Manganese: 5 mg (as Manganese Bisglycinate Chelate)

  • Potassium: 100 mg (as Potassium Citrate)

  • Inositol: 150 mg

  • Betaine Hydrochloride: 150 mg

Highlights:

  • 26 bio-available ingredients

  • Non-GMO + Allergen friendly

  • RD-Formulated, MD & OBGYN recommended

  • No iron included

  • DHA-free formula (Omega-3 sold separately)

  • Slightly more affordable ($49.95)

Downfalls:

  • 8 capsule daily dose

  • Overdosed Vitamin A, Vitamin E, and Calcium

  • Underdosed Inositol

 
 

So what’s the verdict?

The Female Formulations by the PCOS Doc Complete Prenatal Multi offers a superior formulation with robust doses of essential nutrients such as Vitamin D and a highly bioavailable 900 mg of Choline, supporting fetal brain health and cognitive development—an edge over FullWell's Prenatal, which does not match this clinical dosage. Both prenatals include Inositol, a beneficial addition for women with PCOS or insulin sensitivity. However, the Complete Prenatal Multi provides it at a more supportive level for optimal hormone balance and blood sugar regulation. While FullWell includes fundamental vitamins and minerals, several nutrients, including Folate, Magnesium, and Zinc, are not provided in the most bioavailable forms, limiting absorption and effectiveness during pregnancy.

What Makes Female Formulations Different?

The Complete Prenatal Multi also includes two forms of Vitamin A (beta-carotene and retinyl palmitate), beneficial for those with genetic variations affecting Vitamin A conversion. With a unique combination of Vitamin C and COQ10, this prenatal offers potent antioxidant support and cellular integrity, crucial for maternal and fetal well-being.

In addition to its outstanding choline dose, Female Formulations contains L-5-MTHF, the most bioavailable form of folate, helping ensure proper neural tube formation. Choline, a critical nutrient for fetal brain development, is often insufficient in many diets, despite being essential in supporting tissue growth, gene expression, and cell integrity throughout pregnancy.

Even if you aren’t pregnant or planning for pregnancy, the Complete Prenatal Multi serves as a pure, comprehensive multivitamin suitable for daily use.

Natalie Underberg
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