Ritual Prenatal Review: Is This The Best Prenatal Vitamin?

Prenatal vitamins can help support both mom and baby. Here’s how Ritual Prenatal stacks up to competitors and whether or not this supplement is worth taking.

Author:
Ashley Zlatopolsky
Updated:
Nov 15, 2023

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Expecting moms have a changing and increased nutritional demand, which is why many women turn to prenatal vitamins both while trying to conceive and throughout their pregnancy. Prenatal vitamins help support baby’s brain development, bone health and neural tube development, which can help prevent birth defects. These supplements can also help moms lower their risk of developing pregnancy complications like high blood pressure, anemia and gestational diabetes.

While there are dozens of prenatal vitamins to choose from, the best prenatal supplements have high-quality ingredients that meet nutritional guidelines for pregnant women. Ritual Prenatal Multivitamin includes 12 traceable ingredients designed to support a healthy pregnancy and comes in a delayed-release capsule form. It’s also flavored with citrus or mint to make taking vitamins a little bit easier for expecting moms battling morning sickness or food aversions.

Still, are these 12 ingredients up to the task of supporting specific nutritional needs during pregnancy? With the help of OBGYNs, our Ritual Prenatal review will dive into key nutrients, health claims, cost and more to determine whether or not this prenatal multivitamin is truly the best on the market. We’ll also share how Ritual Prenatal stacks up to leading competitors.

This content is meant to be informative, but should not be taken as medical advice. It is not intended for use as diagnosis, prevention or treatment of health problems. Always speak with your doctor before starting any new supplement or exercise regimen.

Ritual Prenatal At a Glance

12 traceable ingredients
Delayed-release capsule
Vegan
Gluten- and major allergen-free
Monthly subscription service
Lightly essenced with mint or citrus

Pros

Non-GMO Project Verified with no artificial colors
Includes both omega-3 DHA and choline, which many prenatal vitamins don’t have
Effective dose of folate to help prevent neural tube defects
Essenced capsules may be easier to take with morning sickness

Cons

Brand doesn’t reveal specific third-party testing partner
More expensive than other prenatal vitamins

Ritual Prenatal Claims

Ritual Essential Prenatal bills itself as “The Smart Capsule.” With a delayed-release vegan capsule, Ritual promises their prenatal multivitamin will dissolve more optimally, and studies show that time-released capsules can actually help improve dosing and keep blood levels steady throughout the day. Ritual also includes 12 traceable ingredients, which means you can check the Ritual website to see which supplier provides each ingredient and that ingredient’s final place of manufacturing. This tracing can offer peace of mind for expecting mothers concerned about ingredient sourcing.

In addition to knowing exactly where Ritual essential nutrients come from, Ritual Prenatal suits a variety of dietary needs. The prenatal supplement is vegan, gluten-free, major-allergen free, and free of artificial colors. It’s Non-GMO Project Verified as well, which means a product has been produced without genetic engineering and meets specific standards for testing and more. Plus, Ritual claims their prenatal multivitamin formula has been reviewed by 150 OBGYNs.

Quality of Ingredients

While prenatal vitamins have largely the same goal—to help expecting moms keep up with their wellness needs—they can vastly differ from one brand to another. Some prenatal vitamins are more potent with higher doses of vitamins and minerals, while others include or omit certain important nutrients. Here’s what you can expect to find in Ritual Prenatal ingredients.

Folate

Arguably one of the most important nutrients in the first trimester, folate (which also comes in the form of folic acid and folic acid supplements) is critical to a developing baby’s brain health and neural tube formation. It’s also necessary for red blood cell formation, which is critical during periods of rapid growth. Many experts agree that folate should be taken before trying to conceive and throughout a pregnancy with a dose of at least 400 micrograms. Ritual Prenatal includes 1,000 micrograms of methylated folate as 5-MTHF, the active form of folic acid. While higher doses of folate don’t necessarily provide more benefits, this prenatal vitamin meets the folate recommendation.

Omega-3 DHA

Docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA, is an omega-3 fatty acid that’s found in cold-water, fatty fish like salmon. Research has shown that taking 600 milligrams of omega-3 DHA during pregnancy, particularly the last half of pregnancy, can help promote healthy birth weight in infants. While recommendations for DHA can vary from 200 to 1,000 milligrams, it’s surprisingly not a common ingredient in most prenatal vitamins (as I found during my own prenatal vitamin search). Ritual Prenatal, however, includes 350 milligrams of omega-3 DHA, which is in the studied range.

Vitamin B12

Having low levels of vitamin B12 is associated with increased risk of pregnancy complications, including spontaneous abortion. That’s why getting at least 2.2 micrograms of vitamin B12 daily during pregnancy is essential for both healthy mom and baby. However, Ritual Prenatal nearly quadruples that number with a whopping eight micrograms of vitamin B12 per serving. This is much higher than the recommended dietary allowance for pregnancy, so it’s important to check with a healthcare provider before starting this vitamin, especially if you get vitamin B12 through food.

Choline

Choline is another important, yet not often included, nutrient in prenatal dietary supplements. Choline plays a critical role in fetus brain development and can help prevent common birth defects. Experts recommended that expecting mothers get 450 milligrams of choline daily, yet Ritual Prenatal only includes a small dose of 55 milligrams of choline per serving. To increase your choline intake naturally, you can take a choline supplement and also eat chicken, beef, milk, eggs and soy products.

Iodine

The World Health Organization recommends getting 250 micrograms of iodine daily to help prevent neurodevelopmental defects in infants. Pregnant women who follow vegan diets or don’t consume dairy products are at greater risk of developing an iodine deficiency. Ritual Prenatal falls short in the iodine department with only 150 micrograms per serving.

Biotin

Having low biotin levels during pregnancy may increase the risk of preterm labor or low birth weight. While you’ve probably heard of the purported hair and skin benefits of biotin, biotin is essential for women in pregnancy and should be taken at a dose of at least 30 micrograms daily. Many prenatal vitamins, however, go beyond 30 micrograms to include anywhere from 100 to 300 micrograms per serving, with Ritual Prenatal falling on the higher end at 300.

Vitamin D

Many experts agree that pregnant women should get 1,000 to 2,000 international units of vitamin D daily. Vitamin D is a critical nutrient for healthy bones in babies and can help prevent skeletal disorders. While some studies debate this number (some research has found just 600 international units to be effective), Ritual Prenatal contains a recommended dosage of 2,000 international units of vitamin D sourced from harvested lichen rather than animal sources.

Iron

Iron-deficiency anemia is a common pregnancy complication that can leave you feeling tired and weak. Therefore, many prenatal vitamins are loaded with iron to help expecting moms keep up with their increase in blood volume during pregnancy by creating healthy red blood cells. 30 milligrams is the recommended dietary allowance of iron during pregnancy, and Ritual Prenatal has a mid-level range of 18 milligrams of iron per serving. Pregnant women can add an iron supplement and also increase their iron intake by eating lean red meat, tofu, lentils and all varieties of liver, except for fish.

Boron

Boron is a lesser-known trace mineral that can promote healthy bone growth and wound healing. However, boron is still being studied in pregnancy and there’s currently no recommended dosage; however, the maximum daily intake in adults over the age of 19 is 20 milligrams. Ritual Prenatal has just a tiny dose of boron at 0.7 milligrams. If you have any concerns about this ingredient and how it can affect your nutrient needs, be sure to speak to a healthcare provider.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E has been shown to decrease placental abruption (a potentially dangerous pregnancy complication), but the benefits are highly debated because vitamin E can cause harm as well. Nonetheless, the recommended daily dosage of vitamin E in pregnancy is 22 to 30 milligrams. Ritual Prenatal contains a small dose of seven milligrams, which doesn’t meet the daily recommendation, but vitamin E can be consumed in foods like nuts, seeds, vegetable oils and leafy green vegetables.

Vitamin K2

A vitamin K2 deficiency during pregnancy can put both mom and baby at risk of hemorrhaging. Sources of vitamin K are especially important from weeks 36 of pregnancy until delivery to help blood clot properly. During this time, it’s recommended that pregnant women take 10 milligrams of vitamin K daily. Ritual Prenatal contains 90 micrograms of vitamin K2, which is the equivalent of just under 0.1 milligrams. Since this dosage doesn’t meet requirements, you can increase your vitamin K intake naturally by eating .

Magnesium

Magnesium is an important nutrient in pregnancy that can promote healthy fetal growth, increase baby birth weight and lower the risk of preeclampsia, a high blood pressure disorder that can occur during pregnancy. The recommended dietary allowance of magnesium during pregnancy is 450 milligrams. Ritual Prenatal has a very small dose of just 32 milligrams, so those using this prenatal may need to add a magnesium supplement.

Missing ingredients

While Ritual Prenatal meets many important nutritional needs in pregnancy with adequate dosages of vitamins and minerals like folate and vitamin D, the prenatal multivitamin is also missing a few critical ingredients recommended by health organizations and OBGYNs.

“Ritual Prenatal is missing many components, including calcium, selenium, niacin, vitamin B6, vitamin A, vitamin C, thiamin, riboflavin, phosphorus and zinc,” explains board-certified reproductive endocrinologist Abby Eblen, MD, who is also an associate professor at the University of Tennessee Nashville obstetrics and gynecology residency program. With its few components, Eblen says she would be “less likely” to recommend this prenatal vitamin.

Board-certified OBGYN Greg Marchand, MD, echoes this same sentiment. While he explains that Ritual Prenatal offers the benefit of including iron, which is helpful for pregnant women following vegetarian or vegan diets who may be low in iron, he agrees that Ritual Prenatal is missing key ingredients. Yet Marchand says that calcium, vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin B6 can be easily obtained by following a healthy diet if you choose to take this prenatal vitamin.

Ritual Prenatal Cost

Costing $39.99 per month, Ritual Prenatal is one of the pricer pregnancy multivitamins on the market. Still, with traceable ingredients and no major allergens, it’s no surprise that this prenatal vitamin will cost slightly more than some brands that don’t offer these benefits. However, you won’t be able to buy Ritual Prenatal as a standalone purchase. The multivitamin is currently available on a subscription-basis only that delivers a 30-day supply each month. Depending on current deals or promotions, you may be able to save on your first month.

While a subscription may not be ideal for pregnant women who want to first try Ritual Prenatal before subscribing, shipping is free for subscribers and you’ll have the ability to snooze or rush your order. You can also easily cancel your subscription at any time if needed.

Who Should Use Ritual Prenatal

Ritual Prenatal may be a good fit for pregnant women who eat balanced diets and receive many nutrients through food, lowering their need for higher doses of certain components. Eblen says, "Patients who have nausea and difficulty keeping down a large prenatal vitamin may be able to absorb this vitamin better," since it’s less potent than other prenatal vitamins and is flavored with citrus or mint to make it more palatable. It's also safe for those with a gluten allergy, those who follow a vegan diet and those concerned about unnecessary fillers or potentially harmful additives.

Who Should NOT Use Ritual Prenatal

Marchand says that women who aren’t sure which nutrients they receive through food (or don’t want to take the time to monitor their diet) will benefit more from what he calls a “complete” prenatal vitamin that has all of the necessary vitamins and minerals listed above.

“If a patient is underweight and does not appear to be well-nourished, I would not recommend this vitamin,” Eblen says. Some women are also sensitive to fish oil since fish oil can cause the burps, so if you have heartburn or indigestion (both common in pregnancy), you may want to steer clear of a prenatal vitamin with omega-3 DHA. (I wasn’t able to tolerate this ingredient.)

Some women also have a hard time taking capsules, and if that’s the case, you may want to consider trying prenatal gummies instead, which may be easier for you to take. If you have any concerns about potential prenatal vitamin side effects, be sure to speak to your OBGYN, or work with a nutritionist or dietitian to determine your personal dietary needs in pregnancy.

What to Consider Before Taking Ritual Prenatal

As someone who has taken prenatal vitamins, I can tell you firsthand that you may need to try a few brands before you find one that’s right for you. If you’re like me and had nausea throughout pregnancy, which can persist beyond the first trimester, getting a prenatal vitamin down can sometimes be a big challenge. Plus, morning sickness can make it hard to get nutrients through your diet that you’d have no problems getting otherwise in non-pregnancy.

Pregnancy can also lead to a heightened sense of smell that can cause smell aversions, in addition to food aversions, for scents that you may normally enjoy. Therefore, while many women may like Ritual Prenatal’s essenced options of citrus and mint, it’s possible that these scents (among scents in general) could make you feel queasy, especially in the first trimester. This is something to keep in mind as you shop around for a prenatal vitamin that suits your needs. If smells in general are bothersome to you, you may want to opt for a prenatal vitamin that doesn’t have a strong scent (some prenatal gummies also have a fruity smell).

What Customers Are Saying About Ritual Prenatal

Customer Ritual Prenatal reviews have an average of 4.1/5 stars. Many buyers enjoy the citrus and mint essences, though citrus tends to be the more popular choice as a few pregnant women say the mint variation makes them nauseous. Other customers rave about how easy these prenatal vitamins are on the stomach, especially during the first trimester when feeling “extremely sick.” One Ritual Prenatal review, however, notes that her vitamins arrived discolored and set to expire soon, while several complain of burps from the fish oil. Overall, the overwhelming majority say Ritual Prenatal was the best prenatal vitamin they’ve tried.

About Ritual

Ritual

Ritual is a relatively new wellness brand that offers a variety of supplements, including the Ritual Synbiotic+ pre-, pro- and postbiotic and multivitamins for men, women and kids—all of which are made traceable. Ritual was founded in 2016 by health tech entrepreneur Katerina Schneider, and is headquartered in Los Angeles, CA. In fact, the idea for Ritual was born out of Schneider’s own pregnancy journey when she was unable to find a prenatal vitamin that met her needs, inspiring her to create her own. Now, Ritual offers several pregnancy supplements, including a popular daily protein shake for pregnancy and postpartum.

Ritual vitamins are designed for children as young as four and adults up to and over the age of 50. All Ritual products operate on a subscription-only basis where you’ll need to sign up for monthly deliveries in order to purchase Ritual supplements. If you’re curious about the origins of Ritual products and where each ingredient comes from, the Ritual website outlines exactly where its nutrients are sourced. While the brand promises that all of their products are third-party tested, Ritual doesn’t reveal its third-party testing partners on its website.

Ritual Prenatal vs. Ritual Postnatal

Similar to their prenatal vitamin, Ritual offers a postnatal vitamin designed for lactation and supporting post-pregnancy needs. Ritual’s postnatal vitamin is also vegan, delayed-release, gluten- and major allergen-free, Non-GMO Project Verified and free of artificial colors. Unlike the brand’s prenatal vitamin, their postnatal vitamin includes several critical compounds missing from the former, such as zinc and vitamins A and C. While Ritual Postnatal isn’t essenced, it contains more of the nutrients needed for pregnancy, making it a better choice than the prenatal.

Ritual Prenatal vs. Perelel

Perelel is a personalized nutrition brand that sells prenatal vitamin packs for first, second and third trimester, plus a conception support pack. These complete vitamin routines can be purchased as a standalone buy or monthly subscription service.

Unlike Ritual Prenatal’s 12 ingredients, Perelel has nearly double the number of vitamins and minerals, including those missing from Ritual. Still, these packs aren’t the easiest to take. A daily dose of Perelel can include five capsules, including two core prenatals, one folate, one omega-3 DHA + EPA and one anti-nausea blend vitamin per serving—all of which can be a lot to handle if you’re nauseous. If you can stomach taking multiple pills, Perelel comes out on top for its better nutritional content, but Ritual may be easier on the stomach if you struggle with morning sickness or are sensitive to vitamins.

Ritual Prenatal FAQs

Is Ritual Prenatal FDA-approved?

Like all vitamins and supplements, Ritual Prenatal isn’t FDA-approved. That’s because vitamins and supplements aren’t regulated as closely as prescription medication, meaning it’s always a good idea to use your best judgment (or connect with a healthcare professional) before starting any vitamin or supplement routine. This is especially important if you have a health condition or take any prescription or over-the-counter medicine.

What vitamins are missing from the Ritual Prenatal?

Ritual Prenatal is missing a handful of vitamins and minerals essential to a healthy pregnancy, including calcium, selenium, niacin, vitamin B6, vitamin A, vitamin C, thiamin, riboflavin, phosphorus and zinc. That being said, Ritual Prenatal’s lighter nutritional content may be helpful for pregnant women who already eat a nutrient-dense diet.

Do Ritual Prenatals taste fishy?

Ritual Prenatals shouldn’t taste fishy, but it’s not uncommon for omega-3 DHA to cause burps that can taste fishy themselves, since Ritual’s omega-3 DHA is derived from microalgae. Luckily, Ritual Prenatal is essenced with citrus or mint, which helps give the vitamins a more pleasant taste.

What's the difference between the Ritual Multivitamin and the Ritual Prenatal?

Ritual's Multivitamin is similar to Ritual Prenatal in that it delivers a wide range of essential nutrients, but the multivitamin isn’t designed specifically for the needs of pregnant women. Since expectant moms have an increased nutritional demand, prenatal vitamins are created to meet this demand to help keep both mom and baby healthy during pregnancy.

Takeaway: Is Ritual Prenatal Worth It?

Ritual Prenatal may be worth taking for select groups, including pregnant women who eat very balanced diets and get most nutrients through food, those struggling with nausea or morning sickness, or expecting moms with sensitive stomachs. Otherwise, Ritual Prenatal is missing several essential nutrients for a healthy pregnancy such as vitamins A and C. If you don’t fall into one of those three groups, our pregnancy experts recommend seeking out a more “complete” prenatal vitamin that packs in all of the recommended nutrients. If you’re on the fence between which prenatal vitamin is right for you, be sure to connect with a healthcare provider to discuss your nutritional needs.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases.

Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.