Needed vs. Perelel: My Prenatal Pick As A Nurse And A Mom
When I became pregnant, I did what most new moms do: I started researching everything. But as a registered nurse, I wasn’t just looking for a prenatal that sounded good, I wanted one that could truly support me and my baby, backed by clinical research and real nutrient needs.
Two brands stood out during my deep dive: Needed and Perelel. Both have clean reputations and expert-backed formulations. But when I compared the labels, formats, and long-term benefits, one clearly aligned with what I knew my body needed.
Here’s how they stack up:
If you care about Choline (and you should)… Needed
Choline was the nutrient that tipped the scale for me.
It’s essential for baby’s brain development, spinal cord formation, and placental health. And yet, it’s often missing or barely included in most prenatals. Why? It’s bulky, hard to formulate with, and expensive.
Here’s the comparison:
- Needed: 150 mg
- Perelel: 120 mg
Research suggests that pregnant women need at least 450 mg/day, and many experts recommend aiming for 900 mg. Since most women only get about 320 mg from diet (mostly from eggs), supplementation really matters.
Needed stands out for the emphasis it places on Choline, offering one of the highest doses I found in any prenatal I researched. They even offer a Choline add-on if you want to go higher.
For me, that made the decision clear.
If you struggle with pill fatigue or nausea… Needed
In early pregnancy, I couldn’t stomach multiple pills, and Perelel’s daily packs include 4–5 capsules: Core Prenatal, Omega-3, Anti-Nausea, and more. I appreciated the intention, but the format just didn’t work for me.
Needed offers both capsules and a powder format, and that powder changed everything. It has a light vanilla flavor that honestly felt like a sweet treat. I’d blend it into a smoothie or oat milk and be done, no gag reflex, no forgotten pills, just simple and satisfying.
If you want higher levels of key nutrients across the board… Needed
Once I looked past the packaging and compared dosages, Needed stood out again.
| Nutrient | Needed | Perelel |
| Folate | 900 mcg | 700 mcg |
| Vitamin B12 | 150 mcg | 24 mcg |
| Magnesium | 100 mg | 30 mg |
| Riboflavin (B2) | 5 mg | 3 mg |
| Zinc | 15 mg | 11 mg |
These higher doses aren’t just for show. Needed’s formula was developed with perinatal practitioners and informed by nutrient testing from thousands of mamas. It’s designed to help you thrive, not just meet the minimum.
If you want a prenatal tailored to your trimester… Perelel
One area where Perelel shines is in their trimester-specific packs. They adjust ingredients and blends depending on where you are in your pregnancy. It’s thoughtful and smart.
That said, Needed’s formula is already designed with optimal levels across the board. And with their add-on options for iron, omega-3s, and Choline, you can still customize based on how you’re feeling without needing to change your entire routine.
For me, simplicity won.
If you care about ingredient quality and transparency… Needed
Both brands use methylated B vitamins, chelated minerals, and bioavailable forms that are easy to absorb and gentle on digestion. As a nurse, this was a must-have.
Where Needed pulls ahead is in how transparent they are. They don’t just say “bioavailable”, they explain why each form matters and how your body actually uses it. Their doses are based on research, not just hitting 100% DV targets, and that gave me confidence in every scoop.
My Final Choice: Needed
After comparing every label, every capsule, and every claim, I chose Needed, and I haven’t looked back.
They gave me:
- A therapeutic level of Choline I couldn’t find anywhere else
- Clinically-backed doses of essential nutrients
- A format I could actually stick with
- And the ability to grow with me through pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond
Perelel is a solid option, especially if you like a more curated pack. But if you’re looking for a prenatal that goes deeper, gives you more, and truly supports you at every stage, Needed is the one to beat.