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When I was pregnant with twins, I quickly realized that everything — nutrition, rest, and recovery — would be more demanding. I started taking a prenatal vitamin early on to help support both my growing babies and my own body through the pregnancy. But nothing prepared me for how intense the postpartum period would be, especially while juggling work, motherhood, and some semblance of a personal life. I had a C-section, which added an entirely new layer to the recovery process—both physically and emotionally. Combine that with sleep deprivation and the daily demands of keeping not one, but two small humans alive, and staying on top of your own health can feel nearly impossible.
A few months ago, after venting to my hairstylist about my postpartum hair loss (which, as it turns out, is incredibly common), she suggested I try getting back on a prenatal. After further investigation, her reasoning made sense: many of the nutrients found in quality prenatals, like zinc and B vitamins, also play a role in supporting healthy hair growth — not to mention overall postpartum recovery. Continuing a prenatal postpartum can help replenish depleted nutrient stores, support energy levels, and promote healing, which felt especially important as I navigated the fourth trimester. So, I turned to my trusted Needed Prenatal Multi Capsules to see if they could help…
Credit: Needed
Why a Prenatal Still Makes Sense (Even If You're Not Pregnant!)
What I didn't realize until I dug deeper is just how common the kind of depletion I was experiencing really is. Studies show that up to 95% of mothers are deficient in at least one key nutrient, even when taking a standard prenatal. That stat hit hard. I was nearly nine months postpartum and still operating on fumes. I chalked it up to the usual twin-parent exhaustion, but part of me started to wonder if I was running on reserves my body hadn't had the chance to restore.
And honestly? I think we've been conditioned to accept feeling terrible as just part of motherhood. We've normalized running on empty, chalking up brain fog and exhaustion to "mom life" when the reality is we deserve better—and there actually is support available to help us feel more like ourselves again.
That's what made Needed's approach stand out. Their Prenatal Multi Capsules are formulated not just for pregnancy, but for the full fertility-to-postpartum spectrum. The formula includes 26 essential nutrients — nearly twice as many as most leading brands — including 16 times more choline, a nutrient linked to both baby's brain development and maternal recovery.
And that recovery, I've learned, isn't just physical. A 2016 study found that pregnancy can actually change the structure of the brain for up to two years postpartum, which makes the brain-supportive role of nutrients like choline feel even more relevant. I'm not pregnant — and can't even think about trying to conceive any time soon — but I'm also not "back to normal." Providing my body with a stronger foundation during this ongoing phase of recovery made sense.
The Nutritional Demands Don't Stop After Birth
Pregnancy takes a lot out of you—literally. Your body prioritizes the baby's development, often leaving you depleted in the process. And postpartum doesn't magically fix that. I had a C-section, which added an entirely new layer to the recovery process — both physically and emotionally. Combine that with sleep deprivation and the daily demands of keeping not one, but two small humans alive, and staying on top of your own health can feel nearly impossible.
In my case, that reality became pretty clear…almost immediately. I'd been low in vitamin D and B12 for years, and both are important — vitamin D helps with immune function and mood (something I really felt the lack of in the early newborn haze), and B12 supports energy and brain function, which I was absolutely struggling with while adjusting to life with twins. I also have an autoimmune condition, so keeping up with basic nutritional needs isn't just about wellness — it's essential maintenance.
Credit: Needed
Backed by Science
At first, I chalked up my brain fog to "mom brain"—the kind of mental haze that feels inevitable when you're sleep-deprived and running on autopilot. But I couldn't shake the feeling that something deeper was going on. Then I came across a clinical study conducted by Needed, which found that women taking their Prenatal Multi Capsules had significantly higher blood levels of key nutrients — including vitamin D, B12, and riboflavin to support baby's growth and development — compared to those on a standard prenatal. That stat gave me pause.
What stood out even more was how thoughtfully the prenatal was formulated. Every ingredient is vetted by perinatal experts and backed by more than 600 research studies. Just as importantly, the capsules leave out what doesn't belong: no synthetic folic acid (they use the bioavailable form, methylfolate) and no iron or omega-3s, which are better absorbed separately. Each batch is also third-party tested for quality and heavy metals, which gave me added peace of mind.
The Bottom Line
Postpartum nutrition doesn't get nearly as much attention as pregnancy nutrition — but it should. That's especially true when you're nine months out, still recovering, and doing your best to keep up.
For me, this isn't about "bouncing back." It's about giving my body what it actually needs to keep going. After a few weeks on Needed's Prenatal Multi Capsules, I started to feel just a little clearer, a little more steady, a little more like myself again. And honestly, that alone felt like progress.
Whether you’re thinking about trying, actively trying, pregnant or postpartum, Needed was created with you in mind. It’s one of those brands that just “gets it” – something definitely needed when it comes to the most nutritionally demanding stages of your life.
