Designs for Health Prenatal | Complete Guide

Name: Prenatal Pro™
Brand: Designs For Health
SKU: DH-PRE120
Price: 55.49 USD
Availability: InStock

Comprehensive guide to Designs for Health Prenatal Pro™ — a methylated prenatal multivitamin with chelated minerals, L-methylfolate, and non-constipating Iron.

Overview

What is Designs for Health Prenatal Pro™?

Prenatal Pro™ is a 4-capsules-per-day multivitamin and multimineral formula from Designs for Health specifically formulated for pregnant and lactating women, as well as women wishing to become pregnant. This designs for health prenatal delivers a broad foundation of key nutrients designed to complement an average diet and support a healthy pregnancy and optimal fetal development.

What sets this formula apart is its emphasis on bioidentical and bioactive nutrient forms. Instead of synthetic folic acid, Prenatal Pro™ uses L-methylfolate (Quatrefolic®) — the bioactive form of folate naturally found in the body. B vitamins are provided in their active coenzyme forms, and select minerals are chelated for superior absorption and bioavailability.

The formula is vegetarian, non-GMO, gluten-free, dairy-free, and soy-free — making it broadly accessible to women with common dietary restrictions.

Key Differentiators

Why methylfolate and chelated minerals matter

Many conventional prenatals rely on folic acid, a synthetic compound that must be converted through several enzymatic steps before the body can use it. Research suggests that individuals with common MTHFR gene variants — which may affect up to 10–15% of the population — have reduced ability to convert folic acid efficiently. This designs for health prenatal uses L-methylfolate (as Quatrefolic [6S]-5-methyltetrahydrofolate, glucosamine salt), the predominant circulating form of folate, bypassing the need for enzymatic conversion.

Minerals in Prenatal Pro™ are provided in chelated forms — including Iron as Ferrochel® ferrous bisglycinate chelate, which research suggests is non-constipating, a meaningful advantage since gastrointestinal discomfort is one of the most common reasons women discontinue prenatal Iron. Additional chelated minerals such as Zinc bisglycinate, Magnesium malate, and Selenium glycinate complex may offer superior absorption compared to standard inorganic mineral salts.

The formula also supplies Vitamin B6 as pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P5P) and Vitamin B12 as methylcobalamin (MecobalActive®), both already in their metabolically active coenzyme forms.

What's inside

Key ingredients

Folate (as Quatrefolic [6S]-5-methyltetrahydrofolate, glucosamine salt) — 1360 mcg

5-MTHF is the biologically active circulating form of folate, critical for DNA synthesis, neural tube formation, and one-carbon metabolism. Research suggests it effectively raises serum folate levels and is especially important for women with MTHFR gene variants that reduce folic acid conversion efficiency. EU and several national health authorities have approved 5-MTHF as a bioequivalent alternative to folic acid for neural tube defect risk reduction during pregnancy.

Iron (as Ferrochel® ferrous bisglycinate chelate) — 27 mg

Iron is universally recommended during pregnancy: requirements nearly double to support expanded blood volume, placental development, and fetal Iron stores. Studies confirm Iron supplementation helps prevent Iron-deficiency anemia, the most common cause of anemia in pregnancy, which is linked to preterm birth, low birthweight, and impaired infant cognitive development. The chelated bisglycinate form is designed to be non-constipating — a significant advantage for prenatal compliance. WHO, ACOG, and NIH ODS all recommend routine Iron supplementation during pregnancy.

Vitamin D (as cholecalciferol) — 25 mcg

Vitamin D is essential for Calcium absorption, fetal skeletal development, immune function, and fetal brain development. Research links deficiency to gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, preterm birth, and neurodevelopmental concerns in offspring. Vitamin D insufficiency affects a significant proportion of pregnant women globally. WHO, ACOG, and NICE all provide conditional-to-strong recommendations for prenatal supplementation.

Vitamin B12 (as Methylcobalamin [MecobalActive®]) — 2.8 mcg

Vitamin B12 is critical during pregnancy for hematopoiesis, myelination, and DNA methylation. Research associates deficiency with neural tube defects, preeclampsia, low birthweight, and cognitive deficits in offspring. A systematic review of RCTs found beneficial effects of B12 supplementation on offspring neurocognitive development. Methylcobalamin is a metabolically active form that does not require conversion. Especially important for vegetarian and vegan pregnant women.

Vitamin B6 (as pyridoxal-5-phosphate) — 2 mg

Vitamin B6 has established evidence for reducing nausea severity in early pregnancy and is recommended by ACOG as a first-line option for pregnancy nausea and vomiting. Two randomized placebo-controlled trials showed 30–75 mg/day of oral pyridoxine significantly decreased nausea in pregnant women. Combined with doxylamine, it is FDA-approved for nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. Pyridoxal-5-phosphate is the active coenzyme form.

Vitamin C (as ascorbic acid) — 400 mg

Vitamin C is an essential water-soluble antioxidant listed by NIH ODS and ACOG among nutrients with critical roles during pregnancy. It substantially enhances non-heme Iron absorption — clinically important for preventing Iron-deficiency anemia in pregnancy. Small intervention studies suggest it may support membrane integrity and immune resilience during gestation.

Vitamin A (as mixed carotenoids and palmitate) — 1500 mcg

Vitamin A is essential for fetal organogenesis, immune function, and vision development. Blood levels may decline during pregnancy without supplementation. WHO recommends Vitamin A supplementation in areas with deficiency to reduce maternal night blindness and infant mortality. The blend of mixed carotenoids and palmitate helps provide both preformed and provitamin A forms while keeping total intake well below the teratogenic upper limit of 3,000 mcg RAE/day.

Calcium (as DimaCal® di-Calcium malate) — 140 mg

Calcium is critical for fetal skeletal development and is recommended by WHO, ACOG, and multiple professional societies for pregnant women with low dietary intake to help reduce preeclampsia risk. About 21.2% of US pregnant women have dietary Calcium intakes below the estimated average requirement. NIH ODS lists Calcium among critical prenatal nutrients.

Choline (as Choline dihydrogen citrate) — 50 mg

Choline is recognized as an essential nutrient critical for fetal neural tube formation, brain development, and placental function. ACOG specifically recommends Choline supplementation during pregnancy, yet over 90–95% of US pregnant women fail to meet the Adequate Intake of 450 mg/day. Lower circulating Choline is associated with increased neural tube defect risk in meta-analyses.

Zinc (as Zinc bisglycinate chelate) — 13 mg

Zinc is critical for cell division, immune function, and fetal growth. Research associates deficiency with intrauterine growth restriction, preterm birth, and congenital malformations. A Cochrane systematic review of Zinc supplementation in pregnancy found significant reductions in preterm birth (RR 0.86). The chelated bisglycinate form supports optimal absorption.

Magnesium (as di-Magnesium malate) — 80 mg

Magnesium is an essential mineral for muscle relaxation, bone development, and blood pressure regulation during pregnancy. Inadequate Magnesium intake is linked to gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, preterm birth, and low birthweight. A Cochrane review found Magnesium supplementation was associated with significant reduction in low birthweight risk.

Iodine (as Potassium iodide) — 200 mcg

Iodine is essential for thyroid hormone synthesis, which governs metabolic rate, fetal brain development, and growth. The thyroid requires iodine for production of T3 and T4, hormones critical for fetal neurological development. Adequate iodine status during pregnancy supports both maternal thyroid function and healthy fetal neurodevelopment.

Vitamin K (as vitamin K1 phytonadione) — 120 mcg

Vitamin K plays critical roles in fetal bone development and coagulation factor synthesis. Neonates are routinely given Vitamin K at birth to prevent hemorrhagic disease, and maternal Vitamin K status during pregnancy may affect neonatal coagulation and bone development. It is included in evidence-based prenatal supplement reviews and international expert consensus recommendations.

Thiamin (Vitamin B1) (as thiamin HCl) — 1.4 mg

Thiamine is essential for carbohydrate metabolism and neural development, with blood levels declining during pregnancy. An international expert Delphi consensus panel listed thiamine among micronutrients important during pregnancy. Deficiency in pregnancy can cause Wernicke's encephalopathy and is associated with fetal cardiac and neurological abnormalities; it is especially critical in women with hyperemesis gravidarum.

Riboflavin (vitamin B2) (as riboflavin-5-phosphate) — 1.6 mg

Riboflavin-5-phosphate (FMN) is the principal active form of vitamin B2 in cells. It serves as a cofactor at mitochondrial Complex I for cellular energy production and is required for the conversion of Vitamin B6 to its coenzyme form and for proper folate metabolism via MTHFR. Riboflavin requirements increase during pregnancy and lactation.

Niacin (vitamin B3) (as niacinamide) — 18 mg

Niacinamide is the amide form of vitamin B3 most commonly used in prenatal vitamins due to its absence of vasodilatory flushing. As an NAD⁺ precursor, it is critical for fetal DNA repair and energy metabolism during organogenesis. A landmark 2018 NEJM study found maternal NAD⁺ deficiency from niacin/nicotinamide deficiency causes congenital malformations in animal models; niacinamide rescued this phenotype.

Pantothenic acid (as D-Calcium pantothenate) — 7 mg

Vitamin B5 is a component of coenzyme A, essential for fatty acid synthesis and energy metabolism. Blood levels decline during pregnancy without supplementation. An evidence-based review of prenatal supplements identified pantothenic acid among vitamins that decline during pregnancy and recommended it for prenatal supplementation. The AI increases to 6 mg/day during pregnancy.

Biotin (as d-biotin) — 35 mcg

Biotin levels decrease substantially during pregnancy; approximately half of US pregnant women show biomarkers of mild biotin deficiency. Animal studies demonstrate biotin deficiency during pregnancy may cause facial and limb malformations and impaired fetal development. An evidence-based prenatal supplement review recommended approximately 100 mcg/day biotin supplementation during pregnancy.

Vitamin E isomers (as DeltaGold® delta and gamma tocotrienols) — 15 mg

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble antioxidant whose blood levels may decline during pregnancy without supplementation. A Mendelian randomization study found genetically predicted higher Vitamin E levels were inversely associated with spontaneous abortion risk. DeltaGold® provides delta and gamma tocotrienols, specific isomers of Vitamin E with antioxidant activity.

Selenium (as Selenium glycinate complex) — 200 mcg

Selenium is an essential trace mineral with critical roles in antioxidant defense via glutathione peroxidases, thyroid hormone metabolism, and immune function. Blood Selenium levels decline during pregnancy without supplementation. Poor Selenium status is associated with miscarriage, preeclampsia, preterm delivery, and gestational diabetes. Evidence-based prenatal supplement recommendations specifically include Selenium during pregnancy.

Chromium (as TRAACS® Chromium nicotinate glycinate chelate) — 45 mcg

Chromium is a trace element that may enhance the action of insulin, a hormone critical to metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Needs increase slightly during pregnancy. The chelated glycinate form supports bioavailability.

Copper (as TRAACS® Copper glycinate chelate) — 1.3 mg

Copper is an essential nutrient during pregnancy, required for fetal brain, heart, vascular, skeletal, and immune development. Maternal Copper requirements increase during gestation. Low maternal serum Copper has been associated with premature delivery and impaired fetal growth indices in observational research.

Manganese (as TRAACS® Manganese bisglycinate chelate) — 2.6 mg

Manganese is essential for skeletal development through glycosyltransferase-mediated proteoglycan synthesis, collagen formation, and bone mineralization. Deficiency in animals causes skeletal abnormalities and impaired growth. It serves as a cofactor for Manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), a key mitochondrial antioxidant enzyme.

Molybdenum (as TRAACS® Molybdenum glycinate chelate) — 50 mcg

Molybdenum is an essential trace element required as a cofactor for sulfite oxidase, xanthine oxidase, and aldehyde oxidase — enzymes involved in sulfur amino acid metabolism and purine catabolism. It supports normal metabolic function during pregnancy.

Sunflower Lecithin

Lecithin is a mixture of phospholipids including phosphatidylcholine — a precursor for Choline that supports cell membrane integrity. Sunflower-derived Lecithin is soy-free and is traditionally recommended by lactation consultants for its emulsifying properties that may support comfortable breastfeeding. It also contributes to overall Choline intake.

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Ideal Users

Who is Prenatal Pro™ for?

This designs for health prenatal was specifically formulated for three distinct life stages:

Women wishing to become pregnant: Research suggests that the earlier supplementation begins, the better. Adequate vitamin stores help support a growing baby's nutrient needs from the earliest days of conception. Starting a prenatal multivitamin before pregnancy helps establish folate, Iron, and other critical nutrient reserves.
Pregnant women in any trimester: The formula provides methylated B vitamins, chelated minerals, and essential micronutrients to support both maternal health and optimal fetal development throughout pregnancy.
Breastfeeding and postpartum women: Prenatal Pro™ can also be used as postnatal vitamins for breastfeeding moms. Key nutrients like Vitamin B12, thiamine, Choline, and Iron support lactation and infant nutritional needs through breast milk.

Women who carry MTHFR gene variants that reduce folic acid conversion efficiency may particularly benefit from this formula's use of L-methylfolate rather than synthetic folic acid.

Directions

How to take Prenatal Pro™

Take 4 capsules per day with meals or as directed by your health-care practitioner.

Each bottle contains 120 capsules, providing a 30-day supply at the recommended serving size of 4 capsules per day.

About the author

Written by Greg Howlett

Greg Howlett

Founder

Greg has spent over a decade helping customers choose the right natural-health products. He personally vets every formula we carry and writes these guides to cut through the marketing noise with practical, experience-based advice.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Why does this designs for health prenatal use methylfolate instead of folic acid?

Many conventional prenatals contain folic acid, a synthetic form that must be converted through multiple enzymatic steps to become active in the body. Prenatal Pro™ uses L-methylfolate (Quatrefolic®), the bioactive form naturally found in the body. This is especially important because common MTHFR gene variants can reduce the body's ability to convert folic acid efficiently. L-methylfolate bypasses this conversion step entirely, helping ensure you receive the active form your body needs.

Will the Iron in this prenatal cause constipation?

Prenatal Pro™ uses Ferrochel® ferrous bisglycinate chelate, a chelated form of Iron specifically selected for its non-constipating properties. Standard Iron supplements such as ferrous sulfate are commonly associated with gastrointestinal discomfort, but the chelated bisglycinate form is designed to offer superior absorption with better tolerability.

Can I take Prenatal Pro™ before I'm pregnant?

Yes. Prenatal Pro™ was specifically formulated for women wishing to become pregnant, women in any trimester, and breastfeeding mothers. Starting supplementation before conception helps establish adequate nutrient stores — particularly folate, Iron, and Choline — to support a growing baby's needs from the earliest stages of development.

Is Prenatal Pro™ suitable for breastfeeding mothers?

Yes. Prenatal Pro™ includes nutrients that support postnatal care and breastfeeding, including Vitamin B12 (which directly determines breast milk B12 content and infant B12 status), thiamine (whose breast milk concentrations depend on maternal intake), Choline (actively concentrated in breast milk), and Iron. It also contains sunflower Lecithin, which is traditionally recommended by lactation consultants.

Is this prenatal vegetarian, gluten-free, and soy-free?

Yes. Prenatal Pro™ is vegetarian, non-GMO, gluten-free, dairy-free, and soy-free. The Lecithin in the formula is derived from sunflower rather than soy.

Why does the formula include so many different nutrients?

Pregnancy increases the demand for a wide range of vitamins and minerals simultaneously — from folate and Iron for blood volume expansion, to Calcium and Vitamin D for fetal skeletal development, to Choline for neural tube formation and brain development. Prenatal Pro™ is designed as a comprehensive multivitamin and multimineral formula to complement an average diet and address the broad spectrum of nutrient needs during preconception, pregnancy, and lactation.

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