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In partnership with Ritual. Editor’s Note: We only select and work with partners that meet our quality standards, so you can rest assured we only endorse products we believe in.
When I first found out I was pregnant in January, I was quickly overwhelmed by the number of decisions and lifestyle changes I had to make (not to mention coming to terms with a rapidly changing body). One of my first pregnancy-related homework assignments from my doctor was to start taking a prenatal vitamin, and the extensive list of options immediately brought a new wave of overwhelm.
The world of pregnancy vitamins is large, varied, and not always the easiest to navigate. With buzzwords like “natural,” and “made with organic ingredients” thrown around casually, it’s hard to know which brands you can trust to get your growing baby the nutrients they need. Two names that quickly rose to the surface during my research were Ritual and Perelel. Both DTC brands had loud proponents online who described positive experiences taking the pills throughout one or multiple pregnancies.
Off the bat, the two brands have notably different prenatal offerings. Ritual has a single prenatal vitamin meant to be taken throughout pregnancy. Perelel offers uniquely formulated products for each trimester, as well as for pre-conception and postpartum. This is because the needs of both mom and baby evolve over 40 weeks. For example, nausea is common during the first trimester, and by the third trimester, baby’s bones are developing and mom needs to prepare for birth with nutrients like calcium and magnesium to ease muscle cramping.
I’m now well over halfway through my pregnancy and have put both products to the test. Here’s what you need to know about Ritual and Perelel prenatal vitamins, and how to choose the right brand for you.
Ingredients
Both Perelel and Ritual focus on the top-line nutrients recommended for pregnant women and are packaged in plant-based capsules. They contain roughly the same amount of essentials like vitamin D, E, iron, iodine, magnesium, and omega-3 – but their B12 and K2 nutrient levels differ.
Ritual contains 8 mcg (286% of the RDV) of vitamin B12 compared to Perelel’s 2.4 mcg (86% of the RDV). This nutrient plays a central role in developing the baby’s brain and spinal cord. You’ll also get 90 mcg of vitamin K2 from a Ritual serving compared to Perelel’s 30 mcg. K2 supports the bone health of both the mother and baby during pregnancy.
Despite the additional pill for anti-nausea relief in the Perelel packet, I had no luck escaping day-long pregnancy sickness when taking this prenatal in my first trimester. That said, it’s hard to say whether the extra 300 milligrams of ginger and 25 milligrams of vitamin B6 helped lessen my nausea.
Winner: Ritual
Quality
Both vitamin brands emphasize the high quality of their ingredient sourcing and production methods. They both use third parties to test for potential contaminants such as heavy metals and bacteria.
Ritual is further partnered with Made Traceable to ensure that the twelve vitamins and minerals are fully traceable from supplier through manufacturer. You can even check the origin of each ingredient on the Ritual website (many of which are sourced in America). The vitamin also underwent a clinical study that ran for 25 weeks as a randomized double-blind trial and included a diverse representation of pregnant women to identify the most effective nutrient ratios. Of course, one always has to take a self-sponsored clinical trial with a grain of salt.
While Perelel hasn’t completed a clinical trial on their prenatal offerings (according to the website, “independent studies” are in the works), the products are backed by a panel of medical advisors, including OB/GYNs, dieticians, psychiatrists, and doulas. The products are also tested in their raw material state, throughout production and post-production by third parties who assess for microbiological contaminants, potency, and that the vitamins meet California’s Proposition 65.
Winner: Tie
Taste
In my experience with vitamins, including prenatals, taste isn’t always a selling factor. Whether it’s an overly fishy dose of DHA or a chalky multivitamin, most manufacturers don’t consider the daily experience of consuming their pills. That’s not the case with one of our contenders.
Ritual prenatals come in two flavors: citrus and mint. I’ve been taking the citrus flavor and find it pleasantly lemony. The taste doesn’t linger after you swallow though, which I appreciate.
Perelel vitamins are unflavored and easy enough to take down.
Winner: Ritual
Cost
There’s no beating around the bush, prenatal vitamins can be pricey. Both Ritual and Perelel come at a premium compared to drugstore brands, but you’re paying for the quality and peace of mind that your prenatal formula contains the nutrients necessary to nurture you and your growing baby.
A one-time purchase of a 30-day supply from Ritual costs $44. Subscribing to monthly delivery takes this down to $39, and a three-month delivery cadence costs $88 per shipment. There is a 20% discount for first-time subscribers.
A one-time 30-day supply from Perelel costs $58.24 and a monthly subscription costs $49.50.
Both services allow cancellation at any time and free shipping on subscriptions.
Winner: Ritual
Packaging
Both Ritual and Perelel come in attractive packages with sleek, modern branding. Both brands offer one-time purchases or recurring shipments that ensure you won’t run out.
Ritual comes in a clear bottle with a serving size of two average-sized capsules daily. Especially when I was in the throes of first-trimester pregnancy sickness, the fewer pills I had to choke down the better. I also appreciate Ritual’s lower waste packaging.
Perelel prenatal are packaged in individual sachets that contain a small handful of pills. The 1st Trimester Prenatal Pack contains four pills: two Core Prenatals, an omega DHA + EPA, and an anti-nausea and folate capsule. None of these pills is especially large or difficult to swallow, but still, that’s four pills you need to take daily. The extra packaging is also a drawback.
Winner: Ritual
Bottom Line
Ultimately, though I didn’t have an adverse reaction to either prenatal, I prefer the smaller serving size and simpler packaging of Ritual. I also think the price is fairer and given the robust nutritional profile and high-quality ingredients, Ritual offers a high value that I feel confident taking throughout my pregnancy.
