Perelel specializes in third-party tested supplements for people at various stages of the reproductive cycle. A Healthline editor and dietitian shares her experience using the Perelel Trimester Prenatal Packs.

Pros

  • offers a wide selection of products for various reproductive stages
  • most subscriptions include free shipping
  • Trimester Prenatal Pack subscriptions automatically update as pregnancy progresses
  • third-party tested and produced in current good manufcaturing practices (CGMP) certified facilities
  • all products are non-GMO and free from gluten, soy, and artificial colors and fillers

Cons

  • the supplements are expensive
  • the supplements are not suitable for certain dietary restrictions, including vegan or vegetarian diets
  • some supplements contain ingredients such as lemon balm, ashwagandha, and L-theanine, which are not recommended for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding
  • our found that the trimester packs caused constipation
Kelli McGrane, MS, RD headshot
  • Name: Kelli McGrane, MS, RD
  • Role: Healthline nutrition editor and registered dietitian

After finding out I was pregnant with baby number two, I started doing my research to determine which prenatal vitamin would be best for me.

I ultimately decided on Perelel’s Trimester Prenatal Packs and took them throughout most of my pregnancy.

Here are my six main takeaways:

The trimester packs are a great value

Perelel Second Trimester Prenatal PackShare on Pinterest
Photography by Kelli McGrane, MS, RD

As a dietitian and editor of content about dietary supplements (including prenatal vitamins), when I found out I was pregnant, I thought I knew the exact prenatal that I was going to purchase — and it wasn’t Perelel.

While I liked Perelel, FullWell was at the top of my list because it offers more choline and vitamin D. However, when I factored in the cost of shipping and buying the accompanying omega-3 supplement, the monthly cost added up to over $80, which was more than I was comfortable spending.

The more research I did, the more I kept coming back to Perelel.

Yes, Perelel might also seem expensive at first, but because the packs include high quality forms of the nutrients that I was looking for, and because I felt confident that I would consume enough choline in my diet, I ultimately came to the conclusion that Perelel’s daily packs offered the best value for my needs.

The signup and delivery processes are straightforward and convenient

Getting started with Perelel was straightforward. Because I was in my first trimester, I simply selected the First Trimester Prenatal Vitamin Pack, clicked the Subscribe & Save option, entered my due date, and added the product to my cart.

My first shipment arrived approximately 7 days later. Subsequent orders arrived about 1 week before I needed them, which was really handy because I never had to worry about going a day or two without my prenatal.

The daily packs are surprisingly helpful, but five pills a day is a lot

Pills from the Second Trimester Pack lined up next to a penny for size comparisonShare on Pinterest
Photography by Kelli McGrane, MS, RD

I was skeptical about whether daily packs would be more convenient than a standard vitamin jar. While I probably wouldn’t pay more for daily packs, it was definitely a nice bonus.

Especially during pregnancy, when you might have multiple supplement bottles, the daily packs came in handy for weekend trips to the mountains and longer vacations.

Not only did I like not having to lug multiple bottles around, but the packs also made it easy to remember whether I’d taken my prenatals — which, between “pregnancy brain” and chasing around a 2-year-old, isn’t always the easiest thing to recall.

The biggest downside of Perelel was the number of pills. I don’t mind swallowing pills, and Perelel’s capsules are relatively easy to swallow. However, there were days when gulping down five capsules made me feel a bit nauseated.

Don’t keep the omega-3 tablet on your tongue for too long

I’m happy to report that the omega-3 tablet didn’t cause the infamous fishy burps that can occur with some fish oil supplements. However, the tablet definitely had a fishy taste that became more apparent the longer it sat on my tongue.

The multivitamin contains iron, which made my constipation worse

Iron needs are higher during pregnancy to support an increased blood supply. For that reason, many prenatals, Perelel included, contain iron. However, a not-so-fun side effect of supplemental iron is constipation.

Because constipation is already a common symptom of pregnancy, some people may find that an iron-containing supplement, like Perelel, makes their constipation worse.

It’s important to note that Perelel’s prenatals contain a form of iron that is less likely to cause constipation than other forms. However, toward the end of my first trimester, I found that I was getting constipated and needed to switch to an iron-free prenatal for a few weeks until my bowel habits started to normalize again.

Once I was a few weeks into my second trimester, I was able to keep things moving by drinking lots of water, eating plenty of soluble fiber-rich foods, and alternating between Perelel and an iron-free supplement every few days. I ultimately kept with this regimen the rest of my pregnancy.

Because iron needs vary by individual, it’s important to talk with your OB-GYN or other healthcare professional about whether an iron or iron-free prenatal is right for you.

A quality prenatal seems to make a difference

During my first pregnancy, I wasn’t as picky about the prenatal I chose and went with an inexpensive — though third-party tested — option from my local pharmacy. While my son was perfectly healthy, I didn’t experience some of the positive side effects that are often associated with prenatals, like thicker hair and stronger nails.

In contrast, during my second pregnancy, I noticed subtle differences: My hair was thicker and shinier, my nails didn’t break as easily, and I felt overall more energized, despite going through pregnancy with a toddler at home.

While there were likely multiple factors at play, I do believe that these positive side effects were at least in part due to the high quality of Perelel’s prenatal.

Key points of what we like about Perelel Prenatal Pack

  • orders arrive 1 week before you need them
  • daily packs make it easier to know when you’ve missed taking them
  • no fishy burps with the omega-3 supplement
  • our tester found her hair thicker, nails stronger, and became more energized

With its convenient packaging and extensive product selection, Perelel has recently emerged as one of the most popular prenatal brands on the market.

It was founded in 2020 by Alex Taylor and Victoria Thain Goia, alongside Victoria’s OB-GYN, Dr. Banafsheh Bayati, MD, OB/GYN, FACOG.

The brand was born after the founders became frustrated with the lack of available high quality, sustainably sourced products and decided that prenatal supplements shouldn’t be one-size-fits-all.

Perelel offers daily multivitamins and single vitamins for men and women, vitamin packs formulated to support conception, and prenatal supplements designed specifically for each trimester.

All the supplements are third-party tested for purity and potency, non-GMO, and free of gluten, soy, and artificial colors and fillers.

Perelel notes that all of its supplements are third-party tested to ensure safety and quality, though it doesn’t disclose the specific lab or testing facility.

Perelel also claims that its supplements are manufactured in facilities that are CGMP certified.

While most of the ingredients in the brand’s supplements are supported by evidence, a few are less well supported by research.

For example, many of Perelel’s supplements contain a “beauty blend” with biotin, which supposedly plays a role in hair, skin, and nail health. Growing research generally suggests that biotin supplementation is unlikely to be beneficial unless you have a deficiency or certain underlying health conditions.

Not all of Perelel’s supplements are suitable for pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Specifically, several of the company’s products feature ashwagandha, including:

  • Mom Multi Support Pack
  • Recovery Support Pack
  • Libido Support

These supplements should not be used during pregnancy, as they could have negative effects on fetal health if taken in high doses.

Ashwagandha is also not recommended for people who are breastfeeding, as there is limited research on its safety. It can interact with several medications, including some sedatives, blood thinners, thyroid supplements, anxiety medications, high blood pressure medications, and diabetes medications.

Be sure to talk with a doctor or other healthcare professional before starting any supplementation to address any concerns, especially if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or have underlying health conditions.

Online reviews of Perelel’s supplements are also generally positive and are listed publicly on the company’s website.

Many reviewers express satisfaction with the convenience of the once-daily packs and the effectiveness of the products.

Some also state that certain ingredients included in the formulations, such as ginger, can help with nausea and morning sickness.

Meanwhile, less favorable reviews report that certain supplements have a fishy taste and odor or note dissatisfaction with the high price tag of products.

A few also state that the number of pills in each pack can be overwhelming and may be difficult to keep down.

Both Perelel and Ritual prioritize high quality ingredients and offer prenatal vitamins that are third-party tested to confirm purity and potency.

However, Perelel’s prenatals differ in that they’re formulated based on trimester and are more comprehensive. In contrast, Ritual’s prenatal is designed to help bridge nutrient gaps in an otherwise balanced diet. For this reason, it contains only 12 essential vitamins and minerals.

A benefit of Ritual is that its prenatal is $10 cheaper and is suitable for people following a vegan diet.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve dietary supplements. However, Perelel states that its products are manufactured in CGMP-compliant facilities.

The company also notes that its supplements are third-party tested to ensure purity and potency, though it does not disclose the name of the testing organization.

Yes, each Perelel daily trimester pack contains 117% of the daily value for folate in the form of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF), the biologically active form of vitamin B9. To support early development, the 1st Trimester Pack includes an additional folate supplement.

Perelel is a supplement manufacturer that specializes in providing vitamin packs specifically curated for various reproductive stages.

In addition to its extensive selection of third-party tested supplements, the brand’s once-daily packs and recurring subscriptions — which are automatically updated as you progress through your pregnancy — may make it a convenient alternative to other prenatal vitamin options.

However, it’s expensive and not suitable for certain dietary restrictions, and it requires taking multiple pills per day, which might not be a good option for everyone.