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It’s a no-brainer that good nutrition is essential during pregnancy. Whatever you eat or drink will find its way to your baby.
Perhaps you’ve begun planning your meals to give your baby the best start in life. If so, that’s great. It’s important to try to eat as healthily as possible for yourself and your little one.
On the flip side, you may struggle to eat healthily with all the challenges that pregnancy brings. Whether it’s craving less healthy foods or not keeping any food down due to morning sickness, eating well can seem impossible.
But whether you’re eating the rainbow or just grappling to eat something, the fact is that when you’re pregnant, your nutritional needs change. Your body needs more nutrients to support both your growing baby and your own body’s needs.
Taking prenatal vitamins ensures that you’re getting enough essential vitamins and minerals throughout your pregnancy. They also provide nutrients that support the baby’s neural and cognitive development and support a healthy pregnancy.
Here we take a look at Ritual Prenatal Vitamins a widely recommended brand that is changing the way that we look at multivitamins in general.
Their Essential Prenatal vitamin is a newer addition to their range but one that’s grown rapidly in popularity. You’ve probably already seen them in the hands of pregnant influencers on Instagram. But is Ritual Prenatal really worth the online hype?
We did the research to help you decide whether Ritual Prenatal Vitamins are a good choice for you and your baby.
What are Prenatal Vitamins, and Why Are They Necessary?
Research over the years has shown that regular multivitamins aren’t always appropriate for expecting mothers. It’s generally advised to choose vitamins that are specifically designed for pregnancy.
This is because supplements of certain vitamins could actually have a harmful effect on your pregnancy. For example:
- Vitamin A: disproportionate amounts of vitamin A have been shown to cause congenital birth abnormalities in babies.
- Vitamin E: high doses of vitamin E could increase the risk of premature rupture of the amniotic sac—the thin-walled sac surrounding baby during pregnancy. (1)
Prenatal vitamins take these risks into account and adjust the vitamin content and vitamin levels accordingly.
Instead, they provide important nutrients to support a baby’s health like folic acid (folate), omega-3 fatty acids, B12, and more. So when you’re taking prenatal vitamins, you only get the right amount of all the nutrients you need.
That said, the purpose of prenatal vitamins is to bridge any nutritional gaps you may experience during pregnancy. They’re not meant to substitute for a balanced diet but rather act as a backup.
When Should You Start Taking Prenatal Vitamins?
It’s advised to begin taking prenatal vitamins from as long as 3 months before you conceive. There are a few reasons for this, but the main concern relates to folic acid, which should be taken before you get pregnant where possible.
Folic acid is a well-researched supplement in pregnancy. Studies have shown that having high folate levels – even before conception – could lower the risk of neural tube defects in baby.
For this reason, the Mayo Clinic advises that you start taking folic acid at least 3 months before getting pregnant. This helps prevent conditions such as spina bifida in baby, which is when the baby’s spine and/or spinal cord don’t properly develop. (2)
If you haven’t taken prenatal vitamins before you became pregnant, then don’t worry. Just start as soon as you can.
Another reason to start taking prenatal vitamins before you get pregnant is that you’re preparing your body for the job of growing your baby.
While prenatal vitamins have not been shown to increase fertility, they can still help your body stay healthy. They can also ensure you don’t have any underlying nutrient deficiencies that you’re not aware of.
You can continue to take prenatal vitamins throughout your pregnancy to help support baby’s development at every stage. (3)
Some sources even recommend taking prenatal vitamins after birth. The supplements can help support your body as it makes breastmilk for baby, as well as replenishing your own nutrient stores after pregnancy. (4)
In Ritual’s case they offer a separate multivitamin range specifically for women postpartum with their Essential Postnatal. This makes it easy to switch onto the most suitable multivitamin for you after birth.
Is There Folic Acid in Ritual Prenatal Vitamins?
Yes Ritual Prenatal Vitamins contain 1,000 mcg of folate. Folate is the naturally occurring form of folic acid.
According to The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, this dosage from Ritual Prenatal Vitamins is ideal. Pregnant women require at least 600 mcg of folic acid everyday so Ritual’s offer a high level of folate in their supplements. (5)
Ritual Prenatal Ingredients
 |
|||
| Nutrient | Sourced from | Amount Per Serving | % DVϮ |
| Vitamin D3 | Lichen (whole plant) | 50 mcg (2000 IU) | 333%Ϯ |
| Vitamin E | Brassica napus (seed) | 7 mg | 37%Ϯ |
| Folate | Glucosamine Salt | 1000 mcg DFE | 167%Ϯ |
| Vitamin B12 | – | 8 mcg | 286%Ϯ |
| Biotin | – | 300 mcg | 857%Ϯ |
| Choline | – | 55 mg | 10%Ϯ |
| Iron | – | 18 mg | 67%Ϯ |
| Iodine | – | 150 mg | 52%Ϯ |
| Magnesium | – | 32 mg | 8%Ϯ |
| Boron | – | 0.7 mg | – |
| Omega-3 (DHA) | Schizochytrium spp. (whole microalgae) | 350 mg | – |
| Vitamin K2 | – | 90 mcg | – |
Ϯ Percent Daily Values for Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women
Source: Ritual Prenatal
Each bottle includes 60 capsules and it’s recommended to take 2 of these a day.
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Ritual Prenatal Review
Who Are Ritual and How Did They Start?
Ritual is a female-founded company that started in 2016. The brand’s goal is to be completely transparent about what goes into their vitamins.
Ritual Prenatal Vitamins came into life when founder Kat Schneider realized that her own prenatal vitamins contained questionable additives and synthetic ingredients.
She decided to create a woman’s multivitamin minus the fillers. She believed that better health begins with better base ingredients in our daily supplements.
Transparency
Ritual capsules’ see-through design speaks so much of what the brand is trying to achieve: product transparency.
While Ritual is a relatively young brand, it is considered one of the most transparent multivitamin companies in the industry. You can easily find all the information you need about what goes into their supplements on their website.
The company is transparent about the exact form of vitamins they use and where they source each nutrient. The brand also willingly provides the name of the suppliers.
For example, they get their Vitamin D3 from lichen – a natural plant – and it’s sourced from GHT Companies in Nottingham, UK. They even have a full article about this supplier, their goals, and how they create the vitamin D3.
Science-backed
Science is at the heart of Ritual vitamins. The company is proud to have an impressive team of scientists on board. These include Harvard-trained physiologists, biochemists, physicians, and registered dieticians.
They run clinical trials on the ingredients included in their supplements so that their formulas are backed by research.
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The 12 Traceable Ingredients in Ritual Prenatal Vitamins and their Benefits
Ritual Prenatal Vitamins (also known as Essential Prenatal) include 12 nutrients to support a healthy pregnancy. Ritual has made a point of including these ingredients in their most absorbable and cleanest forms.
Folate
Supplier
Ritual’s Folate comes from the supplier Gnosis in Pisticci, Italy.
Form
Ritual Prenatal Vitamins use Methylated Folate (MTHF) instead of the less easily processed folic acid.
Common genetic variations mean that around one-third of women cannot use folic acid efficiently. Ritual uses MTHF as it can be more easily absorbed and utilized by the body.
Good for
Folate is essential in supporting the development of the neural tube that forms the baby’s spinal cord and brain.
Having good folate levels reduces the chances of your baby developing neural tube defects, like spina bifida.
It also helps with the development of baby’s heart and circulatory system.
Omega-3 DHA
Supplier
Ritual’s Omega-3 DHA supply originates from Algarithm Ingredients Inc. in Saskatoon, Canada.
Form
The company uses a vegan-certified form of Omega-3 DHA, which is made from microalgae. This makes it more environmentally-friendly than fish oil.
Good for
Omega-3 DHA is important for fetal neurodevelopment.
Pregnant women are advised to have at least 200 milligrams of omega-3 fatty acids each day. This dosage can help support the development of baby’s eyes, brain, and nervous system.
Additionally, getting this daily Omega-3 DHA dose could lower the risk of going into preterm labor.
Vitamin B12
Supplier
Ritual’s Vitamin B12 is sourced from AnMar International in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
Form
Ritual Prenatal Vitamins use B12 in the form of methylcobalamin. This is the same form as that found in food and our body.
They consider it to be more biologically compatible than other forms of B12 – such as cyanocobalamin – which are more commonly used in supplements.
Good for
Vitamin B12 plays an important role in pregnancy as it helps support normal DNA development, which is the genetic material in all cells.
If you’re vegan and you’re pregnant, you may want to pay particular attention to your Vitamin B12 levels. These tend to be low among vegans because plant-based foods don’t produce Vitamin B12.
A deficiency in Vitamin B12 has been associated with certain unfavorable outcomes in pregnancy. It may increase the risk of:
Neural Tube Closure Defects – Congenital disabilities of the brain and spine that can happen within the first month of the pregnancy.
Intrauterine Growth Restriction – a condition where the fetus does not grow as expected (less than 10% of predicted fetal weight).
Gestational Diabetes – a type of diabetes that only occurs during pregnancy.
Pre-eclampsia – a condition that causes high blood pressure in the second and third trimester, which could be dangerous if not treated.
Early Miscarriage – first-trimester miscarriage within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. (6)
Choline
Supplier
Ritual’s Choline comes from Balchem, Verona, Missouri.
Form
It is provided in the form of L-tartaric acid, which is the same as the choline found in eggs, soybeans, and fish.
Good for
Choline plays an important role in promoting the liver and brain.
It helps with the development of the baby’s hippocampus, which is an area of the brain connected to memory.
It also reduces the risk of neural tube defects, cleft lip, and/or cleft palate.
Iodine
Supplier
Ritual’s Iodine supply comes from Nutrasol in Ogden, Utah.
Form
High potency potassium iodide.
Good for
Iodine helps maintain the regular function of your thyroid while you’re pregnant.
Your thyroid regulates the hormones that control many of your body’s core functions.
These include your heart rate, metabolism, and even your body temperature.
Getting enough iodine can help support your thyroid and the development of a normal thyroid in the fetus as well.
According to the WHO, iodine supplementation is also important for healthy brain development in baby.
Biotin
Supplier
Ritual’s Biotin supply is sourced from AnMar in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
Form
Synthesized Biotin, which is identical to that in nature. Biotin is typically found in liver, eggs, and salmon.
Good for
Biotin assists in keeping the liver, skin, and nervous system healthy.
Biotin deficiencies have been associated with some health problems, including:
- Diabetes
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Fatigue
- Reduced appetite
- Depression
- Insomnia
Vitamin D
Supplier
Ritual’s Vitamin D supply comes from GHT Companies in Nottingham, UK.
Form
Ritual use vegan-certified Vitamin D3 derived from sustainably-harvested lichen plants.
Good for
Vitamin D supplements in pregnancy may lower the risk of pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes mellitus, preterm birth, and low birth weight. (7)
Iron
Supplier
Ritual’s Iron supply originates from Balchem in Ogden, Utah.
Form
Ritual’s Iron comes in a chelated form so that it’s gentle on the stomach.
Good for
Iron is important as it helps the body to make more blood, which is needed for both mother and baby.
It’s used to make hemoglobin, a protein that brings oxygen from the lungs to other parts of the body and to baby.
According to the Mayo Clinic expecting mothers need double the amount of iron during pregnancy than they did before pregnancy.
Boron
Supplier
Ritual’s Boron is sourced from Futureceuticals in Momence, Illinois.
Form
Ritual provides their Boron as calcium fructoborate. It’s a food form that has been supported by several clinical studies as having good absorption levels.
Good for
Since Boron is a trace element, the body doesn’t need to use large amounts of it. At the same time low levels of Boron help the body to use calcium effectively.
This could help fight the risk of bone problems in the future such as osteoporosis.
Vitamin E
Supplier
Ritual’s Vitamin E is supplied from AOM/Nutralliance in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Form
Soy-free mixed tocopherols.
Good for
Vitamin E is an antioxidant, so it can provide a number of benefits.
It helps with the development of healthy skin, eyes, and red blood cells. It also strengthens the natural immune system.
In fact over 70% of teens and adults don’t consume enough Vitamin E in their diets.
As Vitamin E shouldn’t be taken in excessive amounts during pregnancy, Rituals provide a modest 37% of the recommended daily dose. So you have just what you need.
Vitamin K2
Supplier
Ritual’s Vitamin K2 is sourced from Kappa Biosciences in Oslo, Norway.
Form
Ritual use a pure form of K2, which comes from a soy-free source.
Good for
Vitamin K2 helps improve bone health and can help with pregnancy-associated bone pain.
Magnesium
Supplier
Ritual’s Magnesium supply comes from Balchem in Ogden, Utah.
Form
Ritual uses a chelated form which makes it easier for your body to absorb the Magnesium.
Good for
Magnesium helps muscles to relax in pregnancy. This helps to prevent muscle cramps. Some research also suggests that it could also prevent premature uterine contractions.
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How Do Ritual Prenatal Vitamins Work?
Capsule-in-Capsule Technology
Ritual uses capsule-in-capsule technology. This enables them to include both oily and dry nutrients in one multivitamin.
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Vegan Friendly
All ingredients in Ritual’s multivitamins and their ingredients are vegan friendly.
Delayed-Release Design
The capsules have a unique delayed-release design. This means that they don’t dissolve in the stomach but rather wait until they reach the small intestine.
This means that the vitamins are easier to digest by those suffering from morning sickness. Several reviewers loved Ritual for this reason as they were able to stomach them.
The small intestine is also the best place for vitamins to be absorbed into the body.
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Gluten Free, Major Allergen Free, No Artificial Colors or Synthetic Fillers
So that you know exactly what’s inside the vitamins you’re taking.
Non-GMO Project Verified
Ritual Essential Prenatal are non-GMO Project Verified. This means that they do not have genetically modified organisms (GMO) within them. GMOs are organisms that have undergone genetic engineering, usually to make them more resilient to things like pesticides.
While they’re not known to be harmful, Ritual feel it’s better for customers and for the environment to use non-GMO ingredients where possible.
Their Essential for Women 18+, Essential for Women 50+, and their Essential Prenatal are now free from GMO ingredients.
Lemon Essence
Ritual have added a lemon essence to their Prenatal Vitamins. Pregnant women suffering from nausea found them easier to take as a result.
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Other Things to Consider
Ritual is a bit more expensive than other brands of prenatal vitamins, which are typically around $15-23 for a 30-day supply. Ritual Prenatal has 60 capsules at $39, which last for 30 days.
The difference isn’t huge, so it depends on how important it is for you to know what the ingredients are and where they have come from. As well as whether the vitamin capsules contain fillers or other extras in them.
Ritual also requires a subscription to purchase the vitamins, so you have to subscribe to get them. However, you can always cancel the subscription easily from your online account.
And it makes buying your next bottle of prenatal vitamins one less thing to do each month.
What is the Best Time to Take Prenatal Vitamins?
Ritual Prenatal vitamins can be taken at any time day or night. Their slow-release design makes it easy for the nutrients to be absorbed at all times. The brand advises that you can take them with or without food as well.
Many expecting mothers who suffered from morning sickness found it easier to take the vitamins just before bed. But this is a personal preference, and it depends on how you’re feeling at different times of the day.
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Ritual Essential Prenatal Reviews
Ritual only sell their vitamins through their website, so all their reviews are from there. But – as with their vitamins – they commit to transparency in their reviews.
They post all the customer reviews that they are able to. In fact, they even allow you to easily filter the reviews to see the “Lowest Rated” as well as the “Highest Rated” feedback.
On average, Ritual’s Essential Prenatal vitamins scored 4.1 out of 5 stars from over 250 reviews.
Most users found the vitamins easy to stomach, whereas they could not take other multivitamins without feeling nauseous during their pregnancy. Many women loved the lemon essence and found it made the vitamins smell and taste more appealing.
The commitment to transparency in the ingredients in the vitamins was appreciated by some reviewers as well. They felt more confident in what they were taking and where the folate, for example, had been sourced.
There were a few cases where the women didn’t like the lemon scent. Some customers experienced late shipments or complained about the customer service. However, every review was responded to by Ritual’s customer service team.
All in all, most of their customers were over the moon with Ritual Prenatal.
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Is Ritual a Good Prenatal Vitamin?
Ritual is a good prenatal vitamin for expecting mothers, as the company is completely transparent as to what goes into their capsules.
The capsules themselves have a slow-release design so that they won’t dissolve until they reach the small intestine. This makes them less likely to cause nausea for those already suffering from morning sickness. It also helps them to be absorbed by the body more easily.
All the ingredients in the Ritual Essential Prenatal vitamins are clearly labeled. Ritual disclose both the form that each of their ingredients takes and the specifics of where they were sourced.
The blend of vitamins and minerals has been formulated expressly for pregnancy. All the ingredients are carefully chosen according to the company’s research. They also have their own team of scientists and medical experts who help advise and formulate the vitamins.
As a transparent and science-backed company, they’re a great option if you’re starting to try for a baby or if you’re already pregnant.
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Ritual Prenatal Vitamins FAQs
Will it harm your baby if you don’t take prenatal vitamins?
While vitamins are optional and not taking them won’t directly harm your baby, studies support the benefits of taking prenatal supplements for both the fetus and the mother.
They can help support the healthy development of the fetus, as well as protect mothers from health problems caused by nutrient deficiencies. This is because a baby will automatically take the essential nutrients it needs from the mother.
For example, if a mother doesn’t have enough calcium in her diet, the baby will then take calcium from the mother’s bones. This could weaken them or increase her risk of osteoporosis later in life.
Are Ritual vitamins FDA approved?
The FDA does not actually approve dietary supplements in general. Since dietary supplements remain unregulated, it’s important to find a vitamin brand that is transparent and science-backed, which Ritual is.
What kind of testing is done to Ritual Prenatal Vitamins?
An in-house team of certified scientists design the clinical trials for Ritual. They then hold the trials at a university-backed clinic. The process allows Ritual to better explain how the ingredients work and why they are included in their prenatal vitamins.
Are Ritual Prenatal Vitamins Worth the Hype?
Ritual Prenatal vitamins are definitely worth the hype because they are one of the only brands to openly disclose the details of every ingredient that goes into their product.
The brand’s commitment to transparency is somewhat refreshing to see in the multivitamin industry. Especially since prenatal vitamins can contain unhealthy fillers and additives.
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Other Ritual Multivitamin Products You May Want to Check Out
Besides Essential Prenatal vitamins, Ritual also has other vitamin ranges formulated for different age groups.
If you choose to purchase two Ritual vitamins you can get $10 Off your first order.
These include:
Essential for Woman 18 Plus – A vitamin formulated for women aged 18-49.
Contains Folate, Iron, and Omega 3, among others.
Essential Postnatal – A vitamin to support women after birth and when breastfeeding.
Contains Vitamins A, C, D3 and Zinc among others.
Essential for Men 18 Plus – A vitamin formulated for men aged18-49.
Contains Vitamin A and Zinc, among others, and is specifically formulated for men.
Essential for Women 50 Plus – A vitamin formulated for women aged 50 and over.
Contains Magnesium and K2, E, and B2. Has no Iron and less Folate.
Essential for Men 50 Plus – A vitamin formulated for women aged 50 and over.
Contains the same ingredients as Men 18 Plus, but in different doses.
You can find our review of Ritual Essential Vitamins for Men and Women.
Ritual vitamins for kids and teens – Ritual has three products in this category:
