Calculator
Prenatal: cost and NHS baseline checker
The job of a prenatal supplement is to hit the NHS baseline of 400 micrograms of folic acid (before conception to 12 weeks) and 10 micrograms of vitamin D a day. This tool checks whether a product meets that floor and what it costs per day. The two essentials can be bought very cheaply on their own, and eligible women can get them free on Healthy Start. Information only, not medical advice.
How the calculation works
We divide the pack price by the daily servings to get the cost per day, then compare your product's folic acid and vitamin D against the NHS baseline of 400 micrograms and 10 micrograms. If both are met, the product covers the essential floor; if either falls short, we flag it. We also show the cost over a 90 day pre-conception to 12 week window for context. The tool prices the baseline only; extra nutrients are not scored.
Reference figures: 400 mcg folic acid (before conception to 12 weeks) and 10 mcg vitamin D daily, from NHS, Vitamins, supplements and nutrition in pregnancy, as of 2026-06-11.
Information only, not medical advice. This tool is educational and is not a substitute for a registered clinician. It does not diagnose anything and does not recommend that you take any supplement. Always read product labels and speak to your GP or pharmacist before starting, stopping or combining supplements. Choose a pregnancy-specific product and check the label: the NHS advises avoiding supplements containing vitamin A (retinol) and high-dose multivitamins in pregnancy. Ask your midwife, GP or pharmacist.
Read more
See our trying to conceive guide, the pregnancy guide and the best prenatal vitamins UK roundup. More calculators on the cost per effective dose hub.
Frequently asked questions
What is the NHS prenatal baseline?
The NHS advises 400 micrograms of folic acid a day before conception and until 12 weeks of pregnancy, plus 10 micrograms of vitamin D a day throughout pregnancy. Those two are the non-negotiable floor. A prenatal that meets them is doing the essential job; many add extra nutrients, but the extras are where the price often climbs.
Do I need an expensive prenatal multivitamin?
Not necessarily. The two essentials, 400 mcg folic acid and 10 mcg vitamin D, can be bought as plain supplements very cheaply, and eligible women can get free vitamins through the NHS Healthy Start scheme. A premium prenatal is convenient and adds nutrients such as iodine and omega-3, but the calculator shows what you are paying for that convenience versus the bare baseline.
Why does the tool warn about vitamin A?
Because the NHS advises pregnant women to avoid supplements containing vitamin A (retinol) and high-dose multivitamins, as too much vitamin A can harm the baby. A product labelled as a general multivitamin rather than a pregnancy-specific one may contain vitamin A. Always check the label and choose a pregnancy-specific product, and ask your midwife, GP or pharmacist.
Some women need more than 400 mcg of folic acid. Does this tool cover that?
No. Some women, including those with a higher chance of neural tube defects, are advised a 5 mg prescribed dose of folic acid, which is a clinical decision. This tool only checks whether an over-the-counter prenatal meets the standard 400 mcg and 10 mcg baseline. If you have been advised a higher dose, follow your prescriber.
Editor, Her Vitals
Oliver leads Her Vitals's editorial coverage of women's life-stage health and supplements. He curates and reviews existing branded products across trying to conceive, pregnancy, postnatal, perimenopause, menopause and the senior years, weighing what the evidence supports against guidance from bodies such as EFSA, the NHS and NICE, and is clear that the content is information rather than medical advice.
Last reviewed: 11 June 2026