Morning sickness: It’s not fun, to say the least. So we can probably agree that when battling an iffy stomach while pregnant, the last thing someone wants to deal with is a prenatal multivitamin that makes them feel worse, right? Unfortunately, your prenatal multivitamins can be a culprit to upsetting your stomach during pregnancy.

The good news is that there are certain things to look for in a prenatal multivitamin that might be able to offer some comfort—as well as some strategies that can at least help you manage stomach irritation throughout your pregnancy.*

Why Prenatals May Cause Nausea During Pregnancy

Spoiler—the kind of prenatal multivitamin you choose matters. You might already know that it’s tricky for doctors to pinpoint the exact cause of stomach irritation in pregnant women, since there are usually a few different contributing factors. But when it comes to supplement-related stomach irritation, the cause might be a bit easier to predict. (You guessed it: It may have something to do with the multivitamin.)

The Form of Iron in Your Prenatal May Play a Role

Iron is an essential nutrient, especially during pregnancy. But did you know the form of iron in your prenatal can be important? Our Essential Prenatal is made with Ferrous Bisglycinate, a gentle, chelated form of iron which has been shown to be easier on the stomach than other forms.*

Look at Your Prenatal Design

Whether pregnant or not, if someone is getting queasy after taking vitamins, the product design could be a factor. Some multivitamins tend to break down and empty their contents in earlier and more sensitive areas of the stomach, which means that nutrients could be exposed to harsh stomach acids. This can cause gas or make the stomach feel a little iffy.*

That’s why a delayed-release capsule was a non-negotiable for our multivitamins, including our Essential Prenatal. The way it works is simple: Instead of dissolving earlier in more sensitive areas, our capsule is designed to dissolve later, in the less sensitive areas of the stomach and small intestine. Ultimately, many of our customers find that this is easier on the stomach.*

Something else that might be a big factor? Scent and taste. “Taste and smell sensitivity are also heightened in pregnancy, and that may be associated with stomach irritation,” says Mastaneh Sharafi, PhD, RD, Ritual’s VP, Scientific & Clinical Affairs. “It is also suggested that aromas like citrus can soothe stomach irritation during pregnancy. That’s why we included both a citrus and mint scent option in our Essential Prenatal.”*

How to Deal With Feeling Nauseous From Your Prenatal Multivitamin

Even if we can help take stomach irritation from a prenatal multivitamin out of the equation, unfortunately there still may be normal pregnancy-related morning sickness to deal with. But we can offer some pointers to help manage it.

1. For starters, stay hydrated throughout the day. Aim for six to eight 8 ounce glasses of water each day. (2)

2. Sticking with a relatively healthy balanced diet (that’s a no-brainer).

3. Try to eat smaller meals more often throughout the day to avoid feeling too full. (2)

4. Switch your prenatal to our Essential Prenatal for a prenatal that goes down easy and is designed with morning sickness in mind. Our prenatal was formulated by pregnancy scientists and nutritionists to help build key nutrient levels needed to support a healthy pregnancy.*

5. Time of day can make a difference. If you tend to be sensitive to vitamins—especially during the early phases of your pregnancy—taking a prenatal before bedtime can help with any gas or irritation.

6. We also recommend taking them on an empty stomach, which can help with the capsule dissolving too early.

7. Finally, Sharafi recommends eating small, frequent meals of bland foods or chewing on ginger, both of which have been linked with some relief.

8. And of course, if feeling really rough, consulting with an ob-gyn is never a bad idea.

Not all prenatals are created equal, especially when it comes to tummy troubles. While some prenatals could exacerbate pregnancy-related nausea with things like dissolving earlier in more sensitive areas of the stomach, less gentle iron forms, or a yucky taste or smell, our Essential Prenatal multivitamin is designed specifically with morning sickness in mind.*

Our delayed-release capsules are designed to be gentle on the stomach, and we use a gentle form of iron that's shown to be kinder on the stomach too. We've also skipped the artificial flavors and colors - the citrus scent you’ll smell is a food-grade plastic insert infused with citrus or peppermint oil. Feeling your best during pregnancy shouldn't be a gamble – finding the right prenatal for you can help make a big difference in how you feel during pregnancy.*

This content was created for informational use only, to provide education around this life stage. Dietary supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or condition.

References:

1. Morning Sickness… (n.d.). Retrieved from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

2. “Five Ways to Decrease Nausea during Pregnancy.” University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, 2 July 2016.