Stuck deciding which prenatal supplement to buy? Our FullWell prenatal review may help. Below, a dietitian breaks down the ingredients in the company’s product line.
FullWell is one of the most comprehensive prenatal supplements we’ve vetted. Though FullWell originally began with a single prenatal supplement for women, the brand now offers a variety of products aimed at supporting fertility for both partners.
The company prioritizes bioavailable forms of various nutrients to help maximize absorption. The Women’s Prenatal Vitamin specifically includes 300 milligrams (mg) of choline, something other popular brands leave out. Plus, all supplements are third-party tested and free of genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
Founder Ayla Barmmer, a registered dietitian, specializes in women’s health and is trained in integrative and functional medicine. She first developed the supplements for clients in her private practice, Boston Functional Nutrition.
How we reviewed
Our dietitian took a deep dive into the quality and safety of FullWell’s supplement lineup, which also includes men’s prenatal and fish oil supplements.
Our editor, Catherine Conelly, has many months of experience taking the brand’s supplements. She switched to FullWell’s prenatal and fish oil from Ritual’s prenatal about halfway through her first pregnancy, took it throughout 1 year of breastfeeding, and is currently taking both supplements for her second pregnancy.
We’ve included her thoughts on the experience and a dietitian’s breakdown of the nutrients below.
![Reviewer holding FullWell Prenatal capsules](http://i0.wp.com/post.healthline.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/fullwell-prenatal-capsules-review-image-1296x972.jpg?w=1155&h=5670)
Language matters
Sex and gender exist on spectrums. This article uses the terms “men” and “women” to refer to a person’s sex assigned at birth.
The tl;dr on FullWell
FullWell closely competes with Perelel, our other favorite prenatal supplement. What stands out:
- FullWell provides more than 50% of choline needs, whereas Perelel only provides 18%.
- Vitamin D is also higher in FullWell (667% vs. 333%).
- Perelel has the edge in docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). They’re included in the daily pack, so you don’t have to pay more for those nutrients.
- FullWell requires taking 8 capsules per day, which is a downside for many.
- Both brands do third-party testing, but FullWell makes its Certificates of Analysis (COAs) available on their website.
“I ended up taking Perelel over FullWell during pregnancy because of the cost. But I think if I had stuck with breastfeeding I probably would’ve switched to FullWell because of the higher vitamin D and choline.”
– Kelli McGrane, RD, MS, Healthline nutrition editor
Pros
- All supplements are third-party tested.
- A COA is available upon request.
- The supplements are formulated using highly absorbable forms of nutrients.
- The products are free of artificial colors and flavors.
- The prenatal supplement includes essential nutrients like vitamin D and choline.
- The fish oil is sustainably sourced and certified by Friend of the Sea.
Cons
- The products are relatively expensive.
- Some products may not be suitable for vegans or vegetarians.
- Certain supplements require taking up to 8 capsules per day.
- The women’s prenatal doesn’t include important nutrients like DHA or iron (but the brand does offer additional supplements for these if needed)
FullWell prenatal products
FullWell products are currently available throughout the continental United States and are typically delivered within 1–3 business days.
Note that shipping is included for 3-month subscriptions and orders over $134. For smaller orders, there’s a flat shipping fee of $4.95.
Ingredient quality and safety
FullWell tests all products in-house and through independent labs, including Eurofins, to ensure safety, purity, and potency.
Testing results are also available for each supplement, and you can email the company with your product lot number for a copy of its COA.
FullWell supplements are also formulated to maximize safety effectiveness.
For example, the women’s and men’s prenatal multivitamins both include vitamin D3, a form of vitamin D that can
Furthermore, the brand provides a detailed breakdown of every ingredient in its supplements on each product page, along with its purported benefits and the rationale for the specific dose that’s used.
Its prenatal supplements include a wide range of micronutrients essential for reproductive health and fertility.
Here’s a closer look at how its men’s and women’s prenatal multivitamins stack up:
Women’s Prenatal Multivitamin | Men’s Prenatal Multivitamin | |
---|---|---|
Vitamin A | 115% of the daily value (DV) | 125% of the DV |
Vitamin C | 229% of the DV | 306% of the DV |
Vitamin D | 667% of the DV | 500% of the DV |
Vitamin E | 526% of the DV | 1,667% of the DV |
Thiamin | 357% of the DV | — |
Riboflavin | 625% of the DV | — |
Niacin | 139% of the DV | 125% of the DV |
Vitamin B6 | 1,000% of the DV | 294% of the DV |
Folate | 227% of the DV | 250% of the DV |
Vitamin B12 | 5,357% of the DV | 625% of the DV |
Biotin | 1,429% of the DV | — |
Pantothenic acid | 2,143% of the DV | 200% of the DV |
Choline | 55% of the DV | 9% of the DV |
Calcium | 31% of the DV | — |
Iodine | 86% of the DV | 100% of the DV |
Magnesium | 75% of the DV | 24% of the DV |
Zinc | 154% of the DV | 455% of the DV |
Selenium | 286% of the DV | 364% of the DV |
Copper | 58% of the DV | — |
Manganese | 192% of the DV | 87% of the DV |
Chromium | 267% of the DV | 571% of the DV |
Molybdenum | 200% of the DV | 167% of the DV |
Potassium | 2% of the DV | — |
Vitamin K | — | 83% of the DV |
We tried it
Name: Catherine Conelly, Healthline editor
Why trust me: I am a mom who personally purchased and took the women’s prenatal and fish oil throughout the second half of my first pregnancy and while breastfeeding for 1 year. I’m currently taking them both again in my second pregnancy.
I am also a writer and editor who has been reviewing products, researching health and wellness information, wading through studies, and consulting credentialed experts for more than 10 years.
No one sent me these products to me. Here are my takeaways.
It’s a lot of capsules, but you can get creative with how to take them
Perhaps the biggest downside to FullWell’s prenatal is the serving size — a whopping 8 capsules per day and potential dread-fest for anyone who doesn’t like swallowing pills.
It made me nervous at first, but given the brand’s use of highly absorbable forms of various nutrients, I was willing to give it a try. I simply have found creative ways to take them and vary how I take them day by day.
Sometimes I take 4 with breakfast and 4 with dinner.
Sometimes I blend my first 4 into a smoothie rather than swallowing. I found it easy to break the capsules in half and empty them into my blender cup.
Sometimes I break them into even smaller servings and take fewer at a time — 2 at a time with various meals and snacks throughout the day. It feels way less intimidating to take a couple here and there.
The variety of nutrients included and amount of each are what kept me coming back
I was originally taking Ritual’s prenatal, which I liked, but ultimately switched because of FullWell’s claims around better absorption. When you compare the nutrition labels, it feels like a no-brainer, looking at how much FullWell’s capsules include (the 8 capsules start to make sense).
That being said, if you eat a pretty well-rounded diet that includes eggs for choline and other foods that provide all the essential pregnancy nutrients, you may not need as comprehensive of a prenatal vitamin.
I would call myself a mostly healthy eater, but being pregnant triggers a lot of food aversion for me. I don’t want to eat eggs for breakfast; I want bland foods like toast and cereal. So I felt more at ease knowing I was making up the gaps.
After our first child was born and I was breastfeeding, we naturally found ourselves adjusting to life as new parents. We like to cook but it became harder on weeknights to plan a comprehensive, well-thought-out meal. So again, I felt more confident knowing I had something to fall back on as we figured out a new flow.
The fish oil supplement passes the fishy burp test
Compared with others I’ve taken, the fish oil has not left me with any fishy burp side effects — not even once. This is something — though rare and not why I stopped taking it — that I did experience when taking Ritual’s Prenatal.
Experiencing that taste once is enough for one lifetime. So I’m pleased and impressed that FullWell’s Fish Oil has not done me dirty in this way.
Overall thoughts
Whether it’s due to FullWell vitamins, I can’t say for sure, but I do feel like I have enough energy to get through the day, despite the fact that I am juggling working from home, a toddler, being pregnant with number two, general mom duty, and — previously — breastfeeding.
Of course, every mom is going to feel tired (and I definitely feel it more now, pregnant with a toddler at home). I don’t think a prenatal can totally solve that. However, I don’t feel excessively wiped out, and I like to think that taking the right vitamins and getting enough nutrients has helped give me a fighting chance.
FullWell prenatal vs. competitors
Besides FullWell, plenty of other prenatal supplements are on the market. They vary in terms of price, certifications, and the specific nutrients that they provide.
Here’s how FullWell compares with a few of its competitors when considering the percent daily value recommended for pregnancy and lactation.
FullWell | Perelel (1st Trimester Pack) | Natalist | Ritual | Care/of | |
Vitamin A | 115% | 38% | 54% | — | 15% |
Vitamin C | 229% | 42% | 40% | — | 17% |
Vitamin D | 667% | 333% | 333% | 333% | 167% |
Vitamin E | 526% | 53% | 79% | 37% | 26% |
Thiamin | 357% | 214% | 11% | — | — |
Riboflavin | 625% | 188% | 125% | — | — |
Niacin | 139% | 83% | 100% | — | — |
Vitamin B6 | 1,000% | 150% | 100% | — | 95% |
Folate | 227% | 117% | 222% | 167% | 100% |
Vitamin B12 | 5,357% | 357% | 571% | 286% | 93% |
Biotin | 1,429% | — | 286% | 429% | 100% |
Pantothenic acid | 2,143% | 86% | — | — | 43% |
Choline | 55% | 22% | 27% | 10% | 20% |
Calcium | 31% | — | 15% | — | 17% |
Iodine | 86% | 52% | 52% | 52% | 52% |
Iron | — | 56% | 100% | 67% | 67% |
Magnesium | 75% | 8% | 13% | 8% | 25% |
Zinc | 154% | 192% | 30% | — | 50% |
Selenium | 286% | 71% | 79% | — | 50% |
Copper | 58% | 77% | — | — | 38% |
Manganese | 192% | — | — | — | — |
Chromium | 267% | 67% | — | — | 33% |
Molybdenum | 200% | — | — | — | — |
Potassium | 2% | — | — | — | 1% |
Product | Price | Certifications | Other products offered |
---|---|---|---|
FullWell | • $49.95 for one-time purchase • $42.45–$44.95 per month for subscriptions • $63.20 for the prenatal and fish oil bundle | • third-party tested • certified by Friend of the Sea | • male prenatal • omega-3s • herbal blends |
Perelel | • $58.24 for one-time purchase • $49.50 per month for subscriptions | • third-party tested | • vitamin packs • multivitamins • herbal blends • probiotics |
Natalist | • $60 for one-time purchase • $55 per month for subscriptions | • third-party tested • certified plastic neutral | • male prenatal • omega-3s • single nutrients • fertility products |
Ritual | • $39 | • third-party tested • verified by Non-GMO Project • verified by USP | • multivitamins • protein powders • synbiotics |
Care/Of | • $18.99 | • third-party tested • C.L.E.A.N. certified | • multivitamins • single nutrients • protein powders • collagen • omega-3s • herbal blends • probiotics |
Frequently asked questions about FullWell vitamins
Yes, all FullWell products are third-party tested for harmful contaminants. Additionally, the company provides a detailed report of the testing results for each product, which can be accessed on its website.
FullWell’s prenatal supplement doesn’t contain DHA. The company claims the stability of DHA can be compromised when added to a multivitamin. So, it offers a separate fish oil supplement, which provides omega-3 fatty acids like DHA.
Yes, each 8-capsule serving of FullWell’s Women’s Prenatal Multivitamin contains 800 mcg of folate, which is about 227% of the DV for people who are pregnant.
No, FullWell’s Women’s Prenatal Multivitamin doesn’t contain iron. Instead, the brand recommends taking iron separately if needed at a dose recommended by a healthcare professional.
Takeaway
FullWell is a supplement manufacturer that offers several products intended to support fertility and reproductive health.
The company uses high quality, research-backed forms of nutrients to optimize absorption and ensure that you’re meeting your needs.
FullWell also prioritizes safety and transparency by thoroughly testing all products in-house and at an independent lab, plus providing detailed testing results to customers.
But many of the company’s products are expensive, and certain supplements may not be suitable for everyone, including people following a vegan or vegetarian diet.
Plus, the brand might not be a good fit for people who dislike taking multiple capsules each day or those who prefer an all-in-one prenatal rather than mixing and matching various supplements.