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Hello! I’m Anjali. I’m a board certified health coach, author, wife, mom and food lover from the SF Bay area (now living in Seattle, WA!); with a passion for delicious food and a desire to make healthy eating easy, tasty and fun! Learn more about me here and stay for a while!

Anjali Shah

Ritual Prenatal Vitamins Review

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure.

We all know how important it is for mother and baby to get all of the nutrients needed during pregnancy. A quality prenatal vitamin with folate helps your baby’s growth and development. But you don’t want a prenatal supplement with a bunch of added synthetic ingredients or fillers. In this honest Ritual Prenatal Vitamins Review, I go over the benefits of using this unique vitamin during your pregnancy.

A bottle of Ritual Prenatal Vitamins in a woman's hand.

There are so many prenatal supplements on the market today, it can be hard to figure out which one might be the best prenatal vitamin for you during your pregnancy! So many vitamins out there have questionable ingredients, and may not provide the most absorbable forms of vitamins for a healthy mom & baby.

Ritual Vitamins were created with the idea that we should get the bulk of vitamins and essential nutrients from the foods healthy we eat, and that the vitamins we take should fill in any dietary gaps.

They are all about creating a foundation of health and wellness, and providing their consumers with the necessary nutrients to support a healthy diet. The founder, Katerina Schneider, started Ritual with a mission to create supplements that have clean, traceable ingredients – all of the good stuff and none of the bad! They are committed to changing the way we think about vitamins, and how we use them to support our health.

Ritual started with just a few dietary supplements but have expanded their line to include vitamins for menwomenteens, and kids. In this post I’ll be taking an in-depth look at their prenatal vitamins, and sharing the research I’ve done, so that you can decide if it is the right prenatal vitamin for you.

Happy pregnant woman visit gynecologist doctor at hospital or medical clinic for pregnancy consultant. Doctor examine pregnant belly for baby and mother healthcare check up. Gynecology concept.

What Are Prenatal Vitamins? Why Do You Need Them?

Prenatal vitamins are for women who are pregnant or trying to get pregnant. They play an important role in providing folic acid (folate) which is important for fetal growth and development.

Folic acid is a B vitamin. The cells in your body need it to grow and develop. When you are pregnant and growing a fetus, folic acid reduces the risk of your baby developing brain or spine defects (e.g. spina bifida) known as neural tube defects (NTDs).

In addition to folic acid, prenatal vitamins also include other essential vitamins for mother and baby.

If you are pregnant and are taking a regular multivitamin (not a prenatal), you will want to take a look at the ingredients, as some concentrations of vitamins such as vitamin A, and vitamin E, in large dosages can have a negative impact on your baby’s growth and development.

High concentrations of vitamin A have been linked to congenital birth defects, and high concentrations of vitamin E have been linked to an increased risk of premature rupture of the amniotic sac.

When you take a prenatal vitamin, made specifically for pregnant women, you will not get more than you need of vitamins A and E and the vitamin will be formulated to support a healthy mom and baby!

When Should You Start Taking Prenatal Vitamins?

If you know you want to get pregnant, it’s a great to start prenatal vitamins at least a month before you get pregnant, but up to 3 months before. The first 12 weeks of pregnancy are extremely important as that is the time when your baby’s development is most critical.

If you haven’t started prenatal vitamins in advance of getting pregnant, then don’t worry. Just start them as soon as possible.

What Makes Ritual Prenatal Vitamins Different?

Two fingers holding two vitamin capsules on yellow background

Fills in Dietary Gaps

Instead of adding a bunch of ingredients to their prenatal vitamins, Ritual has done extensive research to understand which vitamins are needed most. They believe that you should get most of your nutrition from a healthy diet. Prenatal vitamins are not meant to be a substitute for eating healthy nutrient rich foods.

Uses High Quality Traceable Ingredients

Ritual uses only the highest quality ingredients. They have searched the globe to find ingredients that meet their standards of quality. They also inform their consumers of the types of nutrient forms they use, the dosages, and their suppliers.

Vegan and Gluten-Free

Unlike many vitamins out there Ritual Vitamins are vegan, gluten-free, and free of the nine major allergens making them suitable for most special diets. They use vegan Algal Oil, not fish oil, which originates from the fermentation of microalgae. Using Algal Oil for omega-3 fatty acids, has minimal environmental contamination.

Environmentally Friendly

In addition to using clean ingredients, this company is also working to help the environment. The vitamin bottles are made with recycled materials, and they are boxed and shipped in recycled newsprint boxes.

What Is In Their Prenatal Vitamins?

Ritual Prenatal Vitamins

Bottle of Ritual Essential Prenatal Vitamins on yellow backdrop.

Folate (Folic Acid)

  • 1000 MCG
  • 167% DV
  • Supplier Gnosis in Pisticci, Italy
  • Use Methylated Folate (MTHF)
  • MTHF is more easily absorbed by the body
  • Supports the development of the neural type for spine and brain function
  • Reduces risk of your baby developing neural tube defects (NTD)
  • Helps with the development of your baby’s heart and circulatory system.

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, pregnant women require at least 600 mcg. Ritual vitamins provide 1,000 mcg, which is greater than recommended amount.

Omega 3 DHA

  • 350 MG
  • Source schizochytrium spp. (whole microalgae)
  • Supplier, Algarithm Ingredients Inc. in Saskatoon, Canada
  • Vegan Certified form of Omega-3 DHA
  • Support the development of baby’s eyes, brain, and nervous system
  • Potentially lowers the risk of going into preterm labor

Pregnant women are advised to have at least 200 milligrams of Omega-3 DHA per day, so Ritual goes above at 350 milligrams.

Vitamin B12

  • 8 MCG
  • 286% Daily Value
  • Supplire, AnMar International in Bridgeport, Connecticut
  • Sourced from the form of methylcobalamin
  • Supports normal DNA development
  • Good for vegans because plant-based foods do not contain B12

Ritual uses methylcobalamin, a more biologically compatible form of B12. Lack of B12 in a pregnant woman’s diet has been linked to neural tube closure defects, intrauterine growth restriction, gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, and even early miscarriage.

Choline

  • 55 MG
  • 10% of Daily Value
  • Supplier, Balchem, Verona, Missouri.
  • Provided in the form of L-tartaric acid
  • Promotes the liver and brain development
  • Reduces the risk of neural tube defects, cleft lip, and cleft palate

Iodine

  • 150 MG
  • 67% Daily Value
  • Supplier, Nutrasol in Ogden, Utah
  • Comes in the form of high potency potassium iodide
  • Helps with the function of mom’s thyroid
  • Helps with the development of the thyroid for baby
  • Important for healthy brain development in baby

Maintaining thyroid health is essential. It regulates the hormones that control many of your body’s functions, such as heart rate, metabolism, and even your body temperature.

Biotin

  • 300 MCG
  • 857% Daily Value
  • Supplier, AnMar in Bridgeport, Connecticut
  • Form, Synthesized Biotin
  • Helps with liver, skin, and nervous system health

Vitamin D

  • 50 MCG (2000 IU)
  • 333% Daily Value
  • Supplier, HT Companies in Nottingham, UK
  • Form, derived from sustainably-harvested lichen plants
  • Vegan-certified
  •  Helps to lower the risk of pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes mellitus, preterm birth, and low birth weight

Iron

  • 18 MG
  • 67% Daily Value
  • Supplier, Balchem in Ogden, Utah. 
  • Form, chelated that’s gentle on the stomach
  •  helps the body to make more blood
  • Iron is used to make hemoglobin that brings oxygen to the body
  • Pregnant women need double the amount of iron while pregnant

Magnesium

  • 32 MG
  • 8% Daily Value
  • Supplier, Balchem in Ogden, Utah.
  • Form, chelated that is easier to absorb
  • helps muscles to relax in pregnancy, which helps with muscle cramps

Boron

  • .7 MG
  • A trace element. You don’t need a lot.
  • Supplier, Futureceuticals in Momence, Illinois
  • Form, as calcium fructoborate, that has good absorption.
  • Helps the body use calcium effectively, which helps with osteoporosis later in life.

Vitamin E

  • 7 MG
  • 37% Daily Value
  • Supplier, AOM/Nutralliance in Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • Form, Brassica napus (seed). Soy-free mixed tocopherols.
  • An antioxidant
  • Helps with healthy skin, eyes, and red blood cells.
  • Strengthens the immune system
  • Shouldn’t be taken in excessive amounts during pregnancy which is why Ritual provides 37%.

Vitamin K2

  • 90 MCG
  • Supplier, Kappa Biosciences in Oslo, Norway
  • Pure form of K2, from a soy-free source
  • Improves bone health 
  • Helps with bone pain associated with pregnancy
Overhead look at Ritual vitamins in a bottle.

What Do You Get In A Bottle?

  • 30 Day Supply of Vitamins
  • 60 Capsules (2 a day)
  • Cost: $39 per bottle

Pros of Ritual Prenatal Vitamins

  • Vegan
  • Gluten-Free
  • Allergen Free
  • Made with 12 Key Nutrients
  • Neural Tube Support (folate and choline)
  • Supports Brain Health (Omega-3 DHA, choline, folate)
  • Blood Building (Iron, Folate, and Vitamin B12 contributes to red blood cell formation)
  • Provides Bone Support (D3, K2, Magnesium, and Boron help maintain bone health)
  • 100% Traceable Ingredients and fully transparent supply chain
  • Non-GMO
  • No Artificial Colors
  • No Synthetic Ingredients
  • Delayed Release Capsule (easy to digest, no nausea!)
  • Take with or without food
  • Lemon Flavor (making them easier to swallow)
  • Free Shipping
  • 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
  • Subscription comes to your door once a month (you’ll never run out by accident!)

Cons of Ritual Prenatal Vitamins

  • More expensive than some other prenatal brands out there. Ritual costs $35 for a one month supply. Other brands are less expensive, but be sure to your research before buying another vitamin just because of cost. Make sure it is a quality brand.
  • Subscription service. This means they automatically come to your door each month when you need a refill, but if you need to cancel for any reason, you need to remember to do so.
Ritual vitamins collage: fingers holding two vitamins, hand holding a bottle, overhead of vitamins in a bottle, and bottle displayed on rock.

Are Ritual Prenatal Vitamins Right For Me?

Before purchasing a prenatal vitamin, or any other supplement, be sure to consult with your doctor.

Ritual Vitamins are a great option for anyone looking for a vegan, gluten-free vitamin that has everything you need for a healthy pregnancy. If taking a vitamin with clean traceable ingredients, with no added fillers or artificial colors is important to you, then this is the best vitamin to get!

Lastly, you may also want to consider Ritual’s Prenatal Vitamins if you have difficulty swallowing pills, as the lemon flavor and delayed release make it easy to swallow and take on an empty stomach.

Bottom Line: Ritual’s Prenatal Vitamins is one of the best prenatal vitamins I’ve found on the market today and will support a healthy pregnancy!

Check Out These Other Vitamin Guides!

I hope I have thoroughly answered all of your questions in this Ritual Prenatal Vitamins review. If you have any further questions, please leave a comment below – I respond to every question I get!

Note: I am not a doctor, and am recommending Ritual based on my own personal experience. Please consult with your doctor before starting any supplement program.

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