What Are Prenatal Vitamins? Prenatal vitamins are supplements made for pregnant women to give their bodies the vitamins and minerals needed for a healthy pregnancy. Your doctor may suggest that you take them when you begin to plan for pregnancy, as well as while you’re pregnant. Eating a healthy diet is always a wise idea -- especially during pregnancy. It's also a good idea to take a prenatal vitamin to help cover any nutritional gaps in your diet. What to Look for in Prenatal Vitamins Prenatal vitamins help ensure that you get the nutrients you need for a healthy pregnancy. Look for prenatal vitamins that have: 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid 400 IU of vitamin D 200 to 300 milligrams (mg) of calcium 70 mg of vitamin C 3 mg of thiamine 2 mg of riboflavin 20 mg of niacin 6 mcg of vitamin B12 10 mg of vitamin E 15 mg of zinc 17 mg of iron 150 micrograms of iodine Prenatal vitamins typically contain higher levels of certain vitamins and minerals that are crucial for fetal dev...