Prenatal Vitamins: When to Take Them & How to Track Them

What is Prenatal Vitamins?

Prenatal vitamins are multivitamins made for people who are pregnant or trying to conceive. Most contain folic acid, and many contain vitamin D, iron and iodine. The NHS recommends folic acid before and during early pregnancy and vitamin D during the darker months, and warns against supplements containing vitamin A (retinol), because too much can harm a developing baby. Iron in prenatal vitamins can upset a stomach that is already dealing with pregnancy nausea, which is one reason people skip doses. A reminder tied to a meal you can manage helps keep the habit through the first trimester.

When to take Prenatal Vitamins: general timing information

• The NHS recommends daily folic acid from before pregnancy until 12 weeks, and checking that pregnancy supplements do not contain vitamin A (retinol). [1]

• The NHS also recommends vitamin D during pregnancy from early October to late March, and year-round for some people. [1]

• Iron in supplements can cause upset stomach and nausea, especially on an empty stomach. Taking iron with food can help minimise these effects. [2]

• Too much preformed vitamin A during pregnancy can cause birth defects, so avoid high-dose vitamin A supplements and cod liver oil. [3]

How to set a Prenatal Vitamins reminder in Pillzy

1. 1

   Tap + in Pillzy and add your prenatal vitamin by brand, with a photo of the label.

2. 2

   Set Meal Timing to During meal or After meal if iron upsets your stomach.

3. 3

   Choose Once daily and a time of day when your nausea is usually lighter.

4. 4

   Use the notes on each dose to log nausea or missed doses to discuss with your midwife.

5. 5

   If your midwife adds a separate iron or vitamin D supplement, add each as its own medicine with its own time.

6. 6

   Turn on a refill reminder with the number of tablets you have, so Pillzy alerts you before you run out.