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Supplements

When should I start taking a prenatal?

Ideally at least three months before trying to conceive — the neural tube closes before most people know they are pregnant.

Reviewed by Lunara Expert Advisory Panel · May 2026

Public health guidance recommends 400–800 mcg of folic acid or folate daily for anyone who could become pregnant, starting at least one month — ideally three — before conception. The neural tube closes around week four of pregnancy, often before a missed period.

Three months is also roughly the window in which developing eggs mature, which is why many fertility protocols use a 90-day runway for nutritional support generally.

A prenatal is a supplement to food, not a replacement for it. Look for adequate folate, iodine, vitamin D and iron, and check any additional products you take so you do not double up on the same nutrients — particularly vitamin A.

The short version

  • Start at least 1–3 months before trying.
  • 400–800 mcg folate/folic acid daily is the standard recommendation.
  • Avoid stacking multiple products with overlapping vitamin A or iron.

When to talk to a clinician

  • Prior pregnancy affected by a neural tube defect — a higher folic acid dose may be advised.
  • Diabetes, epilepsy medication, coeliac disease, or bariatric surgery history.
  • Known anaemia or iron overload before starting an iron-containing product.

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Educational information only. Ask Lunara is a search layer over expert-reviewed content and does not provide diagnosis or personal medical advice. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Always talk with your healthcare provider about your own situation.