If you’re a first-time mama like me, can we agree that growing a human is no joke? I’ve always thought the idea of creating life was so sweet, but there is so much more to it than having an Instagram-worthy maternity shoot, am I right?
I’m overwhelmed by all of the decisions I have to make, from what to pack in my hospital bag to what this tiny person will be called for the rest of their life. The first decision I needed to make, though, was what kind of prenatal vitamin to take to help my little one start out healthy. 👶
My mom thinks One A Day is the best, but I wanted to give other brands a try. I’d heard about Needed’s Prenatal Multi Essentials from a few ladies in my mommy-to-be group and thought I’d see how it compares against the timeless One A Day. Let’s see:
If you want a prenatal vitamin that’s jam-packed with essential nutrients… Needed
There’s a big difference between the brands’ ingredients lists. One A Day has 16 vitamins and nutrients, but it’s missing important inclusions like choline for baby’s brain development and selenium, which helps regulate your immune system and thyroid function.
Most of the nutrient amounts in One a Day are far too low; plus, it’s full of additives like colorings and soy. To top it off, certain nutrients can interact with each other, making them less effective.
Needed’s Prenatal Multi Essentials capsules are much more nutritionally complete, with 23 vitamins and minerals in dosages that go beyond bare minimums. Plus, they know what nutrients are best taken separately, like iron and DHA. Finally, One A Day had folic acid and based on research my practitioner told me about, the folate form is better for new mamas. Needed’s prenatal has folate.
Needed contains optimal forms of nutrients, which means your body is actually absorbing them (and not wasting $$$).
If you like bundles that are tailored to your specific needs… Needed
Every mama-to-be is different–this we know! That’s why one-size-fits-all options like One A Day’s multivitamins just don't cut it for me. Luckily, Needed offers a bunch of different bundles that are customized to your specific needs, plus the doses that are right for you. This is huge! 🙌
I chose The Complete Plan, which offers nourishment for every phase of pregnancy, but there are other options like the Nausea Support Plan and Lactation Support Plan that are designed to help you get through those stages.
If you like the convenience of a convenience store… One A Day
If you’d rather run into your local CVS, Walmart, or Target, One A Day is available at most convenience stores, so you can always get it when you need it. I totally get it—mama gotta do what mama gotta do.
On the other hand, having a subscription with Needed is the ultimate convenience as a busy mom. I never have to worry about running out because Needed is delivered to my door, often a few days before I’m out, and it’s one less errand I have to add to my (long!) list. ✍️
A one-time purchase of Needed’s Prenatal Multi Essentials costs $39.99, but you can subscribe to save up to 33%, bringing the cost down to only $27 per month. I actually opted for the powder form, which costs a bit more at $69.99, but I wanted to be able to mix it in my smoothie (Plus, the powder nutrient dosages are higher than the multi essentials). I saved $100 by upgrading to their Complete Plan because I wanted extra support.
If you don’t like taking capsules… Needed
Personally, I find it difficult to take vitamins if they don’t come in gummy form. Nobody wants to take huge pills that have no flavor, or worse, that taste terrible! The nausea is already taking a toll on me, so I need a supplement that’s easy to take.
Needed offers something I hadn’t seen before–a prenatal powder. I was able to mix it in with my morning smoothie, and I couldn’t taste a difference. One A Day has both capsules and gummies, but I’m loving the convenience of adding the powder to my morning drink and getting on with my day. ☀️
And the winner is…Needed!
Needed is, far and away, the winner in my book. It’s packed with all the essentials my growing baby and I need, adding it to my routine is seamless, and the subscription convenience is unbeatable. Take one less decision off your plate before the baby is born and get Needed!
