Why prenatal vitamins aren't one-size-fits-all

If you're pregnant or trying to conceive, chances are someone has told you to just take a prenatal. And if you're in Australia, there's a good chance Elevit was the one they pointed to. It's widely stocked, heavily marketed, and recommended by GPs and pharmacists across the country. But here's the thing — being common doesn't mean being adequate. Elevit, like many mainstream prenatals, uses poorly absorbed nutrient forms and doses that often fall short of what pregnancy actually demands. Iron is included by default, even though it's best prescribed based on your individual bloodwork. Folate comes as folic acid rather than the activated methylfolate that many women utilise more readily. Choline — one of the most critical nutrients for foetal brain development — is largely absent. And iodine, while essential, needs more careful consideration in women with thyroid conditions. These aren't minor details. They're the difference between a supplement that looks good on paper and one that actually supports you.

What I actually look for in a prenatal vitamin

When I'm choosing or prescribing a prenatal vitamin, I'm looking at the full picture: the forms of each nutrient, the doses, what's included and what's deliberately left out, and how it fits with the individual woman in front of me. I want activated B vitamins, a meaningful choline dose, and iron prescribed separately based on actual levels — not bundled in as a default. CoQ10 is something I consider for preconception support, particularly for egg quality. Iodine needs context. And folate form matters more than most product labels will tell you. The prenatals I tend to prescribe most often are Seeking Health Optimal Prenatal, All Things Better Natal Support, and Naternal EverNatal — each has strengths depending on what a woman needs. No single formula is perfect for everyone, which is exactly the point.

Choosing the right prenatal isn't something that should happen by reaching for the most recognisable box on the shelf. It should be informed by your diet, your bloodwork, your health history, and ideally a conversation with someone who can put it all together for you. If you'd like to know what's actually right for your body, send me a message and we can start there.