The one with the proven core: 400 mcg of folic acid daily, per the CDC - it prevents neural tube defects, which form in the first weeks, so the CDC recommends it for all women who could become pregnant.
The rest of the standard core: vitamin D, iodine, iron, and DHA. What you can ignore: megadoses (excess vitamin A in retinol form is harmful in pregnancy) and premium pricing, which buys packaging. Timing beats branding: start at least a month before trying and continue through pregnancy and breastfeeding. Prior neural-tube-defect pregnancy, epilepsy medication, or bariatric surgery: you need a doctor's higher-dose plan.
What to do
Common questions
What prenatal vitamin should I take?
The brand matters far less than the contents, and the contents that matter most are short. The one non-negotiable, per the CDC: 400 mcg of folic acid daily - it prevents neural tube defects, which form in the first weeks, often before a positive test, which is why the CDC recommends it for all women of reproductive age who could become pregnant, not only those already trying. The rest of the standard core: vitamin D (400 IU is the common floor); iodine, which thyroid and brain development need; iron, since demand climbs in pregnancy; and DHA, the omega-3 linked to fetal brain development - many prenatals include it, or it comes as a separate capsule. What you can ignore: megadoses (more vitamin A than the daily need is actively harmful in pregnancy - retinol forms are the concern), and premium pricing, which buys packaging, not outcomes. The timing rule beats the label rule: start at least a month before trying if you can, keep it through pregnancy and breastfeeding. Anyone with a prior neural-tube-defect pregnancy, epilepsy medication, or bariatric surgery needs a specific, higher-dose plan from their doctor. Pymander, a free AI doctor available 24/7 by text, can help you decode a specific label.