‘I’m an OB/GYN. Here’s My Honest Opinion on Perelel Prenatal Vitamins’

Growing a baby is like running a marathon—your body is working extra hard for a long period, so it needs additional nutrition to make it through. That’s where prenatal vitamins come into play. They provide nutrients like folic acid, iron, calcium, and other vitamins to help support a healthy pregnancy, which is why both the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend taking them.

Here, we’ll review Perelel’s prenatal vitamins, including its first-, second-, and third-trimester supplements, which aim to offer targeted nutrients to support each stage of a person’s pregnancy. We tapped three healthcare providers—two OB/GYNs and one gastroenterologist—to take a look at the ingredients and help us determine whether the brand is a good choice.

TIP

Always talk to your OB/GYN first before starting a new supplement to determine if it’s safe for you based on your individual health needs and any preexisting conditions.

The Perelel prenatal line

Perelel was co-founded by two moms who were frustrated by their experience with prenatal vitamins during pregnancy. Together, they partnered with a board-certified OB/GYN to create trimester-specific vitamin packs meant to disrupt the “one-size-fits-all” thinking around pregnancy supplements.

Quality-wise, Perelel checks all the boxes when it comes to a prenatal supplement: Its products are backed by clinical research, its facilities follow current Good Manufacturing Practices set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the products undergo third-party testing for purity and potency. In other words, they’re tested to confirm the vitamins actually have the ingredients on the label, in the amounts claimed, and that there are no additional, potentially harmful ingredients present, like heavy metals. This kind of testing is ideal in a prenatal supplement (or any supplement, for that matter) because, unlike medications, the FDA does not review, regulate, or approve supplements before they are sold.

A monthly supply of Perelel prenatals costs around $60, but signing up for a monthly subscription knocks down the price to about $50 per month. Even with this discount, they’re on the pricier side compared to many other prenatals.

1st trimester pack

Perelel’s first trimester pack is formulated to support the early stages of a baby’s development and help reduce nausea that can come with morning sickness. The key ingredients include the following:

• Methylfolate: An active form of folate, important for the baby’s DNA synthesis and cell growth
• Iron: Supports increased blood volume and oxygen transport in the pregnant person’s body
• Vitamin B6: May help reduce nausea
• Ginger extract: Known for its anti-nausea properties
• DHA: Supports fetal brain development

The supplement’s anti-nausea component sets it apart from many other prenatals. “Vitamin B6 may help with nausea, while ginger has been traditionally used to alleviate digestive discomfort. This blend could be helpful for those dealing with mild to moderate morning sickness,” Karen Toubi, MD, a board-certified OB/GYN unaffiliated with Perelel, tells Well+Good.

Most notably, the supplement has methylfolate instead of folic acid. That’s because methylfolate is thought to be more easily absorbed by our cells. Traditionally, “our bodies take in folic acid and convert it to L-methylfolate,” says Amber Samuel, MD, an OB/GYN, maternal-fetal medicine specialist, and medical advisor for Perelel Health. “But about 40 to 60 percent of us have DNA that makes the journey from folic acid to the usable form of folate a little more difficult,” she adds.

According to Dr. Samuel, experts have good evidence to suggest people instead absorb methylfolate better because “it already starts as the usable form of folate (vitamin B9) and is digested in the small intestine.” She also says it’s water-soluble, meaning it’s not possible to take too much, and that it’s “much closer to the nutrient that prevents neural tube defects,” or birth defects of the brain, spine, and spinal cord.

Unfortunately, the research surrounding both folic acid and methylfolate for preventing neural tube defects is old and limited. In fact, “the only time folic acid has been tested to reduce the risk of neural tube defects is in a small clinical trial from the 1990s,” says Dr. Samuel. “Since neural tube defects are a relatively rare outcome, nobody has done another trial to show whether folic acid or folate is better.” This lack of research has led to some disagreement in the medical community on the best form to take.

Ultimately, “if a huge portion of people can’t absorb folic acid in the same way, and methylfolate is much closer to the nutrient that prevents neural tube defects, then it would be better to take methylfolate,” says Dr. Samuel. However, for individualized recommendations about which supplements you should take, it’s best to reach out to your healthcare team for advice.

Sidenote: This may be especially true if you have the MTHFR gene mutation, which affects how your body processes folate. Dr. Samuel says folate supplements have not been shown to decrease the chance of miscarriage with MTHFR mutation, but it is vital to decrease the risk of neural tube defects.

1st Trimester Prenatal Pack

1st Trimester Prenatal Pack — $58.24

Pros

• Contains active forms of nutrients like methylfolate, which some folks may absorb better than synthetic forms
• The inclusion of ginger and B6 can be beneficial for managing morning sickness
• Iron supports increased maternal blood volume

Cons

• Some people may need to supplement with folic acid
  
• Iron may cause constipation for some

2nd trimester pack

After 12 weeks, the second trimester of pregnancy is a turning point for expecting parents and fetuses. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, by this point, the fetus has developed all of its organs and now will continue to grow.

Perelel’s second trimester prenatal pack is formulated to support fetal skeletal growth as well as reduce muscle cramps for the pregnant person and ease any lasting nausea. Here is a breakdown of the key ingredients:

• Calcium: Important for fetal bone development
• Vitamin D: Supports calcium absorption and immune function
• Iron: Continues to support birthing parent’s blood volume increase
• Methylfolate: For ongoing neural tube development

While getting enough iron is crucial during pregnancy, it can contribute to gastrointestinal (GI) issues for some people, mainly constipation. To help mitigate this effect, Perelel prenatals avoid standard supplemental iron (like ferrous sulfate) and opt for ferrous bisglycinate—”a form of iron that should be better absorbed based on its chemical makeup,” says Niket Sonpal, MD, a board-certified gastroenterologist with Baylor Scott & White Health.

Dr. Sonpal says some studies have linked better iron absorbability with fewer side effects like constipation. One 2023 review even found that ferrous bisglycinate significantly reduced GI upset during pregnancy, compared to standard iron. However, more research is needed to confirm these claims.

Another important note? The ferrous bisglycinate used in Perelel prenatals is not ionically charged, which, according to Dr. Sonpal, means it is fat-soluble and can get into your cells more easily to make hemoglobin.

2nd Trimester Prenatal Pack

2nd Trimester Prenatal Pack — $58.24

Pros

• Calcium and vitamin D support bone health for both the mother and baby
• Continued iron intake is crucial as blood volume increases further
  

Cons

• Iron might still cause gastrointestinal issues like constipation
• Some people may need to supplement with folic acid

3rd trimester pack

In the third and final trimester of pregnancy, it’s all about growth and preparation for the last stretch. Perelel’s third trimester pack is formulated to support the fetus’s rapid growth and help prep the pregnant person’s body to give birth. Dr. Toubi says the key ingredients include the following:

• DHA: Continues to support brain development
• Calcium: For fetal bone and teeth development
• Magnesium: May help with birthing parent’s leg cramps and support overall muscle function
• Methylfolate: Ongoing support for neural health

3rd Trimester Prenatal Pack — $58.24

Pros

• Magnesium can help alleviate cramps and support sleep in the third trimester
• Continued support for fetal brain and bone development with DHA and calcium

Cons

• Similar to previous trimesters, gastrointestinal issues from iron may persist
• Some people may need to supplement with folic acid

The bottom line

Ultimately, medical experts agree that each person should talk to their healthcare provider about individual nutrient needs to make sure they’re getting what they and their baby need during pregnancy. “Perelel vitamins can be a good choice, especially for those who prefer active forms of nutrients. However, it’s essential for pregnant individuals to consult with a healthcare provider to ensure they meet their specific nutritional needs, particularly regarding folate levels,” Dr. Toubi says.

She adds, “For those with particular sensitivity with constipation, it may be helpful to have a prenatal without iron that they can take when needed.”In the end, she says Perelel’s prenatals are thoughtfully designed and may support a healthy pregnancy, but pregnant folks should also pay attention to the nutrients they’re getting through food and always discuss any supplements with their healthcare provider.