top of page
Search

Why I Recommend Needed’s Prenatal Multi (and Take It Myself)

One of the most common questions I hear in clinic is simple, but deeply important:

“What prenatal vitamin should I take?”


As someone who works closely with individuals and couples through preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum, I don’t take that question lightly. And as someone who has personally taken a prenatal — and had a partner support his health during that season as well — my answer comes from both clinical experience and lived reality.

Here’s the honest truth: most prenatals are designed to meet the bare minimum, not the real demands of pregnancy.


The reality of nutrient depletion

Pregnancy and postpartum place increased demands on nearly every system in the body. Yet many of the symptoms women experience — fatigue, brain fog, hair changes, low resilience — are often dismissed as “normal.”


They may be common, but they’re also frequently signs of underlying nutrient depletion.

What surprises many people is that up to 95% of women experience nutritional depletion, even when they’re taking a prenatal vitamin. This isn’t because women aren’t trying — it’s because most prenatals aren’t formulated to support replenishment or optimal nourishment.

Most standard prenatal vitamins are based on Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs), which were created to prevent deficiency — not to support the increased physiological demands of pregnancy, postpartum recovery, or the broader motherhood continuum.


Why formulation matters

In clinic, I see many patients who are doing “all the right things.” They’re eating well, prioritizing sleep when possible, and taking supplements — yet still feeling depleted.

When we look closer, the issue is often form, dose, and bioavailability.


When patients ask me what prenatal vitamin to take, I recommend Needed’s Prenatal Multi. It includes key nutrients in bioavailable forms and clinically informed doses — including methylated folate (not folic acid), B vitamins, vitamin D3, choline, zinc, selenium, and more.

Rather than aiming for adequacy, it’s designed to support optimal nourishment.  Leading prenatals dose even below outdated Recommended Dietary Allowances for most nutrients.* 


Needed Prenatal Multi Essentials provides 8x more nutrition than leading prenatals.* Here’s how it compares to leading brands.




Thoughtful inclusion — and intentional exclusion

Another thing I appreciate about Needed’s approach is what the Prenatal Multi doesn’t include.


Iron and omega-3s are intentionally left out so they can be added based on individual labs and needs. Iron requirements vary widely, and omega-3s are best taken separately for optimal dosing and freshness. This flexibility aligns with how I practice medicine — personalized, not one-size-fits-all.


A perspective rooted in East and West

From a Chinese medicine lens, pregnancy draws deeply on foundational reserves. From a functional medicine perspective, pregnancy increases nutrient demands across nearly every system.


Both traditions agree on one thing: this is not the time for minimal support.

That’s why I chose this prenatal for myself — and why I consistently recommend it in practice.


You can learn more about Needed’s Prenatal Multi Essentials here:https://thisisneeded.com/products/prenatal-multi-essentials



Additional Resources:



This post is sponsored by Needed, a brand I genuinely recommend to my patients and use personally. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.


*Based on the total daily dosage of nutrients provided compared to leading prenatals as determined by IRI sales data as of December, 2025. 


Comments

bottom of page