WeNatal 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 WeNatal Prenatal For Her 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 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)

 

WeNatal Prenatal Vitamin For her

Serving Size:

  • 3 capsules

Key Ingredients:

  • Folate: 1350 mcg (as Ca-5MTHF; Magnafolate®-Pro)

  • Vitamin D: 4000 IU (as Cholecalciferol)

  • Magnesium: 100 mg (as TRAACS® Bisglycinate Chelate)

  • Choline: 400 mg (as Vitacholine® Choline Bitartrate)

  • Vitamin A: 2200 mcg RAE (as Palmitate and mixed Carotenoids)

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

  • Vitamin B12: 150 mcg (as Methylcobalamin)

  • Vitamin C: 175 mg (as Ascorbic Acid)

  • Vitamin E: 19 mg (as mixed Tocopherols)

  • Biotin: 200 mcg (as d-Biotin)

  • Selenium: 60 mcg (as NutraFeast® High Selenium Yeast 2000)

  • Iodine: 150 mcg (as Potassium Iodide)

  • Zinc: 30 mg (as TRAACS® Zinc Bisglycinate Chelate)

  • Vitamin K: 90 mcg (as Vitamin K2 Menaquinone-7)

  • Thiamin: 6 mg (as Thiamine Mononitrate)

  • Riboflavin: 3 mg (as Riboflavin 5 Phosphate)

  • Niacin: 35 mg (as Niacinamide)

  • Pantothenic Acid: 10 mg (as d-Calcium Pantothenate)

  • Chromium: 150 mcg (as TRAACS® Chromium Nicotinate Bisglycinate Chelate)

  • Copper: 2 mg (as TRAACS® Copper Bisglycinate Chelate)

  • Iron: 18 mg (as Ferrochel® Iron Bisglycinate Chelate)

  • Molybdenum: 25 mcg (as TRAACS® Molybdenum Glycinate Chelate)

  • Manganese: 1 mg (as TRAACS® Manganese Bisglycinate Chelate)

  • Inositol: 50 mg

Highlights:

  • 24 bio-available ingredients

  • Sustainable, USA-made

  • Allergen free

Downfalls:

  • Includes iron

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

 
 

So what’s the verdict?

The Female Formulations by the PCOS Doc Complete Prenatal Multi offers a more comprehensive formulation, with higher doses of key nutrients like Vitamin D and 900 mg of Choline, crucial for cognitive development and fetal brain health during pregnancy. Unlike WeNatal Prenatal For Her, which provides standard essential vitamins and minerals, the Complete Prenatal Multi is crafted with specialized ingredients such as Inositol, supporting women with PCOS or blood sugar concerns. Additionally, WeNatal’s formula lacks the ideal dosages and the most bioavailable forms of certain nutrients like Folate, Magnesium, Vitamin C, Selenium, and Zinc, which could impact effective nutrient absorption for mother and baby.

What makes Female Formulations different?

The Complete Prenatal Multi includes two forms of Vitamin A (beta-carotene and retinyl palmitate), ensuring support for those who may not efficiently convert beta-carotene into the active form. With Vitamin C and COQ10, this prenatal provides added antioxidant support, fortifying the immune system and enhancing cellular health for both mom and baby.

In addition to its clinically dosed Choline, Female Formulations also includes L-5-MTHF, the most bioavailable form of folate, which is essential for healthy neural tube development. Choline, a nutrient that many pregnant women lack, supports gene expression, cell growth, and brain and spinal cord formation in the fetus, making it a crucial component of a prenatal.

Even if you’re not currently pregnant or trying to conceive, the Complete Prenatal Multi also serves as an effective daily multivitamin, rich in bioavailable nutrients for overall wellness.

Natalie Underberg
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