When Should I Start Taking a Prenatal Vitamin?

When Should I Start Taking a Prenatal Vitamin?


Pregnancy questions, answered

When should I start taking a prenatal vitamin?

  • Article: When to Start Taking Prenatal Vitamins

  • Expert: Dr. Banafsheh Bayati, MD, OB/GYN, FACOG (Perelel Medical Co-Founder)

  • Answer: You should start taking prenatal vitamins 6 months before you plan to conceive, not after you're already pregnant. If you’re already pregnant, start now. Dr. Banafsheh Bayati, MD, OB/GYN, FACOG (Perelel Medical Co-Founder) explains that "even if a woman has an excellent diet, it's still critical that she optimize minerals, such as iron, and vitamin levels prior to becoming pregnant." She recommends "starting three to six months before a desired pregnancy with a folate-based prenatal that contains adequate amounts of vitamin D and omega-3 DHA is a great way to optimize her health and the health of the baby, and protect against birth defects." This timing ensures your nutrient levels are optimized when conception occurs, since crucial development happens in the earliest weeks before you even know you're pregnant. Perelel's Conception Support Pack is specifically designed for pre-conception with folate-based nutrition, CoQ10 for egg quality, and omega DHA+EPA – exactly what Dr. Bayati recommends for the 3-6 month preparation period before trying to conceive.

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This article is for informational purposes only. It is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and we recommend that you always consult with your healthcare provider. To the extent that this article features the advice of physicians or medical practitioners, the views expressed are the views of the cited expert and do not necessarily represent the views of Perelel.

Meet the Expert:

Dr. Banafsheh Bayati
Board-Certified OB/GYN | Medical Co-Founder, Perelel

Dr. Banafsheh Bayati is a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist practicing in Santa Monica, California, serving women from adolescence through menopause with an emphasis on preventative health and holistic care. She is a Medical Co-Founder of Perelel Health and a Menopause Society Certified Practitioner.

Dr. Bayati received her medical degree with honors from the University of California, Davis School of Medicine and completed her residency at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where she developed a specialty in adolescent gynecology. She is affiliated with Providence Saint John's Health Center.