Curious whether you should take the Ritual prenatal or postnatal? This article covers the main differences between them, who should take what, and why you need a multivitamin after birth.
Supplementation is critical during pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, and postpartum, and your needs can vary during those times. If you’re curious about the Ritual prenatal and postnatal supplements, this review covers everything you need to know.
Ritual prenatal vs. postnatal vitamins: who should take what?
Take the Ritual Prenatal Multivitamin if…
You are planning to start trying to conceive in the next three months or are currently trying or pregnant. Shop now.
Take the Ritual Postnatal Multivitamin if…
You have given birth and are less than six months postpartum or are more than six months postpartum and still breastfeeding. Shop now.
What is the Ritual Prenatal?
According to Ritual’s website, the Ritual Prenatal Multivitamin is a vitamin supplement for those who are “thinking, trying, and when it’s time.” More on these specifics are below.
The Ritual prenatal contains 12 high-quality ingredients in a flavored, time-delayed capsule (great for queasy stomachs) with no artificial colorants. It’s also gluten-free, major allergen-free, and vegan.
Who should take it?
According to studies, you should take prenatal vitamins at least three months before conception. That’s because it takes time for your nutrient reserves to reach ideal levels, and three months will provide a significant amount of time for this to occur.
Also, adequate levels of iron are critical in the development of the fetus and placenta, which is another reason a prenatal is essential before conception. It’s also been shown to help fertility and increase your chances of getting pregnant.
Of course, you should continue your prenatal multivitamin through pregnancy until your baby is born. This will continue to help support your nutrient reserves (remember, your baby is taking what it needs from what you eat and your reserves) and can help ensure you get the nutrients you need to support a healthy pregnancy and baby.
What is the Ritual Postnatal?
The Ritual Postnatal Multivitamin is a vitamin explicitly designed for postpartum mothers. It contains 15 high-quality ingredients in a time-delayed capsule with no artificial colorants. It’s also gluten-free, major allergen-free, and vegan.
Who should take it?
You are considered postpartum when you expel your placenta from your uterus. Your body will undergo a rapid series of changes, often caused by changes in hormone levels.
Also, your body will begin breast milk production and start its healing journey. These processes require energy and specific nutrients, which is why a targeted postpartum multivitamin is essential.
You can take the Ritual Postnatal Multivitamin after birth and continue taking it for the first six months of postpartum. If you are breastfeeding, you should continue taking it as long as you produce breast milk.
Why should I take a vitamin during postpartum?
As mentioned above, childbirth recovery uses nutrient stores to help fuel healing and breastfeeding. A targeted multivitamin can help replenish depleted nutritional stores and support your recovery.
Generally, it’s agreed that a postpartum person should take a postnatal supplement for as long as they produce any amount of milk or at least six months.
What is the difference between Ritual prenatal and postnatal vitamins?
For a clearer picture of how the Ritual prenatal and postnatal vitamins compare, here’s a side-by-side comparison of their ingredients.
| Ingredient | Ritual Prenatal | Ritual Postnatal |
| Folate | 1000 mc DFE | 1000 mc DFE |
| Omega-3 DHA | 350 mg | 350 mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 8 mcg | 10 mcg |
| Choline | 55 mg | 55 mg |
| Iodine | 150 mcg | 200 mcg |
| Biotin | 300 mcg | 300 mcg |
| Vitamin D | 50 mcg (2000 IU) | 50 mcg (2000 IU) |
| Iron | 18 mg | 8 mg |
| Boron | 0.7 mg | 0.7 mg |
| Vitamin E | 7 mg | 10 mg |
| Vitamin K12 | 90 mcg | 90 mcg |
| Magnesium | 32 mg | 32 mg |
| Vitamin A | X | 500 mcg RAE |
| Vitamin C | X | 25 mcg |
| Zinc | X | 3 mg |
As you can see, the main differences between the prenatal and postnatal vitamins from Ritual are:
- The Postnatal contains Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Zinc (not found in the Prenatal)
- The Postnatal has higher levels of Vitamin E, Iodine, and Vitamin B 12
- The Prenatal has higher levels of Iron (a critical mineral for pregnancy)
It’s safe to say that Ritual designed both their prenatal and postnatal multivitamins to support the specific nutrient requirements during pre-conception, conception, pregnancy and postpartum phases. Read more.
Is the Ritual postnatal safe for breastfeeding?
Yes! They sure are. Adding Ritual’s postnatal to your supplementation routine is an excellent idea if you are breastfeeding. That’s because lactation requires a higher demand for micronutrients than any other stage of life, including pregnancy.
Some readers are concerned about the peppermint-enhanced tab found in the Postnatal supplement bottles and its impact on breast milk production.
Rest assured, Ritual has done extensive research on this particular concern using a third-party firm and concluded, “A toxicological assessment of exposure to peppermint during both pregnancy and lactation, which confirmed our own rigorous research findings: that the levels of peppermint in our minty tab do not pose any safety risk.”
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