Do Prenatal Gummies Work? What Expecting Moms Should Know

The importance of prenatal vitamins is widely known. A prenatal vitamin is a great way to support nutritional needs before and during pregnancy, and gummy prenatal vitamins have become an increasingly popular choice for expecting mothers due to their convenience, palatability and ease of use. We’ll explain what prenatal gummies do, what to look for in a high-quality prenatal, and how they fit into a prenatal supplement routine.

What Do Prenatal Gummies Do?

How do prenatal gummies work? Gummy prenatal vitamins are a chewable dietary supplement specially formulated with key vitamins and minerals to support the nutritional needs of pregnant women, trying-to-conceive women, and the healthy growth and development of their baby. They are a gummy form of prenatal supplement that delivers essential nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, and more. Depending on the supplement, different nutrients may be included, so it’s important to check the Supplement Facts panel of any supplement to know what you are getting in every serving.

Many expectant mothers choose prenatal gummies due to their ease of use. It’s common for pregnant women to experience nausea, especially during the first trimester, which can make swallowing large softgels or tablets more difficult. Many choose gummies because they are chewable and do not require water. This form can make prenatal supplements easier to take consistently when nausea is a factor.

These gummies also come in pleasant flavors, making the overall experience more enjoyable. And when you enjoy something, you’re much more likely to do it consistently. Consistency is key when it comes to supplementation, so it’s important to pick a form you are likely to keep consistent. Another way they can increase consistency is through their convenience; they can be taken on the go as they require no water.

The nutrients present in a prenatal gummy may differ from those offered in a softgel or tablet, and may be included in different amounts, so be sure to check the label. We’ll break down some of the key nutrients to look for in a prenatal supplement.

Key Nutrients to Look for in Prenatal Gummies

Certain nutrients are particularly essential before and during pregnancy, and you can support your diet with a prenatal supplement. It’s important to know how to read a label and to know what to look for to help you choose a high-quality prenatal supplement.

While prenatal gummies can include many of these nutrients, certain minerals like iron and calcium are difficult to include in sufficient quantities in gummies due to taste and formulation challenges. This may inform your decision regarding prenatal gummies vs. pills. For example, if your prenatal gummy does not contain calcium or iron, it's even more important to focus on getting enough of these essential minerals through food sources and consider adding additional supplements to your routine if you do not get enough in your diet. Discuss supplementation with your primary care provider to guide a well-rounded prenatal supplementation routine.

Here are a few key nutrients to look for in a prenatal gummy:

• Folic Acid: Also known as vitamin B9, folate in the form of folic acid is essential during early pregnancy, as it helps form the neural tube, which becomes the baby’s early brain and spine. Healthful diets with adequate folic acid may reduce a woman’s risk of having a child with brain or spinal cord defects.^[1] However, 17% of women of childbearing age do not consume enough Folate in their diet.^[2] The CDC recommends 400 mcg daily for women of childbearing age. It's important to look for prenatal gummies with folic acid. Nature Made® Prenatal Gummies provide clinically proven absorption of folic acid.^†
• Choline: Another essential prenatal nutrient, choline helps support the baby’s healthy brain and spinal cord development. Choline can be found in fish and eggs, along with other dietary sources, but most women in the U.S. are not getting enough choline from food alone. For daily support, look for prenatal gummies that include choline.^†
• DHA: This omega-3 fatty acid found in fish oil may help support fetal brain and eye development. Some prenatal supplements include DHA alongside other nutrients, but you can also consider a separate DHA supplement if your diet does not contain the recommended two servings of fish per week.^†
• Vitamin D: An essential vitamin for many reasons, vitamin D supports bone health and helps improve calcium absorption. Vitamin D also supports healthy aging along with muscle and immune health.^†
• Iodine: Iodine is present in many prenatal supplements, like our Prenatal Gummies, because it’s important for normal thyroid function and healthy growth and brain development in the baby.^†
• Iron: Iron is an essential nutrient during pregnancy, as the body needs to support increased blood volume and red blood cell formation.^[3] Many prenatal gummies do not contain iron due to formulation challenges, so it’s important to ensure you support your body with a daily source of iron. Most pregnant women need 27 mg of iron daily, compared to 18 mg for non-pregnant women of reproductive age. If you are looking for a convenient way to support your prenatal with a source of iron, our Iron 18 mg Gummies with Vitamin C can be paired with a prenatal gummy for women who prefer gummies and need iron supplementation. Pregnant women need 27 mg a day, so consult with your healthcare provider to determine whether additional iron supplementation is needed beyond 18 mg.
• Calcium: Most pregnant women need 1000 mg of calcium per day. Due to formulation challenges, many prenatal gummies do not contain adequate calcium, so you may require a separate calcium supplement to reach your goals. Consult with a healthcare provider; they can help you put together a well-rounded prenatal supplement routine for daily support.^†

When choosing a supplement, always check the Supplement Facts panel to confirm which nutrients are included and at what amounts, and consult with your doctor to determine whether additional supplementation is needed to fill any gaps.

Tips for Choosing the Right Prenatal Gummy

There are plenty of options for a prenatal gummy, so here are some tips on what to look for in prenatal vitamins.

The first place you’ll want to look is the Supplement Facts panel. Any high-quality supplement will include this important panel on the packaging, listing all the nutrients in the supplement, the amounts they contain, and the percentage each amount contributes to the daily recommended value for pregnant and lactating women. This is important to know to determine whether the prenatal gummy provides the key nutrients you need.

Key nutrients to look out for in this panel are folic acid, choline, DHA, iodine, and vitamin D, as they are essential for women before and during pregnancy. You should also note whether iron or calcium is included, as they may be left out of the gummy form of prenatal supplements.

If your prenatal gummy does not include iron or calcium, you can supplement to help fill those gaps. Nature Made Iron 18 mg Gummies with Vitamin C is a gummy option that can be paired with a prenatal gummy.  Our Calcium Gummies with Vitamin D3 provide a daily source of calcium in two fruit-flavored gummies, plus vitamin D to help the body absorb calcium.^†

Once you’ve determined what nutrients are and aren’t included in a given gummy, check for any third-party verification. Many Nature Made supplements carry the USP Verified Mark, which means they have been independently confirmed by the United States Pharmacopeia to contain what the label states, meet purity standards, and are manufactured under quality conditions. For example, Prenatal Folic Acid + DHA + Choline Gummies carry the USP Verified Mark.^†

Always check the suggested use to ensure you know how to safely take the supplement and receive the intended nutrients. For many prenatal gummies the serving size is more than 1 gummy, so be sure to follow the label's directions.

Finally, it’s always important to consult with a healthcare professional when choosing a prenatal supplement. Prenatal supplementation is not one-size-fits-all; we’re all unique, and so are our needs. A healthcare provider can help determine which prenatal supplement format and nutrient profile are right for each individual woman’s needs during pregnancy.

How Nature Made Prenatal Gummies Support Mom and Baby

Many expectant mothers desire daily nutritional support, and prenatal gummies are a popular and convenient way to achieve that. Nature Made is proud to offer many prenatal supplements to support mom and baby, including our Prenatal Folic Acid + DHA + Choline Gummies, a specially formulated gummy designed to help meet the nutritional needs of pregnant women and support the development of their growing baby. This prenatal is specially formulated with folic acid, choline, DHA, and 14 other nutrients to support baby’s development and mom’s health.^†

Did you know that 95% of pregnant women do not meet the recommended intake level of choline? It’s an essential nutrient that helps support the baby’s healthy brain and spinal cord development.^[4] This gummies prenatal supplement also has clinically proven absorption of folic acid, which helps support the formation of the baby’s neural tube. Two tasty mixed berry flavored gummies per day provide these essential prenatal vitamins, guaranteed to meet our high-quality standards. Just note that this prenatal gummies supplement does not contain iron. Consult with your physician as to specific iron supplementation needs.^†

For women looking for a prenatal vitamin that includes iron, Prenatal Multivitamin Folic Acid + DHA Softgels provide many key nutrients including 27 mg of iron in one daily softgel, with clinically proven absorption of folic acid and iron.^†

After pregnancy, support doesn’t just stop! Prenatal and postnatal vitamins and nutrition are key for supporting new mothers. Nature Made Postnatal Multivitamin + DHA Softgels are specially formulated for new mothers with folic acid and 19 other nutrients for the baby's development & nursing mom.^†

Now you’re equipped with the know-how to help choose a high-quality Prenatal & Postnatal Supplement. As with any supplement during pregnancy, consult a healthcare professional before starting a prenatal vitamin routine to ensure it is the right fit for individual needs.

References:

1. 21 CFR 101.79 -- Health claims: Folate and neural tube defects. Ecfr.gov. Published 2015. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-101/subpart-E/section-101.79
2. Devarshi PP, Chung RY, Reider CA, Grant RW, Hazels Mitmesser S. Nutrient Gaps in US Adults by Age and Gender: Vitamin A, D, E, K, C, Magnesium, Calcium, Choline and Dietary Fiber. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics 120.9 (2020): A27.
3. National Institutes of Health. Iron: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. National Institutes of Health. Published October 9, 2024. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iron-HealthProfessional
4. USDA, Agricultural Research Service, 2021. Total Usual Nutrient Intake from Food, Beverages, and Dietary Supplements, by Pregnancy/Lactation Status, What We Eat in America, NHANES 2015-2018.