Is it bad if I keep forgetting to take my prenatals?

November 15, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the CDC, approximately half of all pregnancies are unplanned, making consistent nutrient intake, especially folic acid, critical from the earliest stages. If you find yourself asking, 'Is it bad if I keep forgetting to take my prenatals?', the answer depends on the frequency, but regular forgetfulness can pose risks to both you and your baby's health.

Quick Summary

Missing an occasional prenatal vitamin is not a cause for panic, but consistently forgetting can lead to nutrient deficiencies that impact fetal development and maternal well-being. Understanding the importance of key nutrients like folic acid and iron is vital, as is implementing strategies to build a consistent daily habit.

Key Points

Single Missed Dose: Don't panic if you miss one dose; it's unlikely to cause harm, but don't double up the next day.
Regular Forgetfulness Risks: Consistently missing prenatals can lead to nutrient deficiencies, which are linked to complications like birth defects and low birth weight.
First Trimester Importance: The first trimester is critical for fetal development, especially for neural tube formation, making consistent folic acid intake vital.
Key Nutrient Impact: Missing key nutrients like folic acid, iron, and vitamin D can increase risks for both maternal anemia and fetal developmental issues.
Simple Memory Tricks: Use visual reminders like a pillbox, phone alarms, or associating it with a daily habit to improve consistency.
Consult Your Doctor: If you struggle with consistency or experience side effects, discuss alternative vitamin options or dosages with your healthcare provider.

Understanding the Role of Prenatal Vitamins

Your body's nutritional needs increase significantly during pregnancy to support both you and your growing baby. While a healthy diet is crucial, it is often challenging to get all the necessary vitamins and minerals from food alone. This is where prenatal vitamins act as an important insurance policy, filling nutritional gaps and ensuring a steady supply of key nutrients for optimal fetal development.

The Impact of Occasional Missed Doses vs. Regular Forgetfulness

Missing a single prenatal vitamin dose is not a cause for alarm. A healthy, balanced diet can often compensate for a day's lapse, and the immediate impact on your baby is likely minimal. However, the real concern arises from chronic forgetfulness. When you regularly skip your prenatals, your body may not maintain sufficient levels of essential nutrients over time, which can lead to deficiencies.

Critical Nutrients at Risk from Skipped Doses

Folic Acid: Crucial for preventing neural tube defects (NTDs) like spina bifida and anencephaly, which develop in the first month of pregnancy. Regular intake is especially critical in the preconception period and first trimester.
Iron: The body's blood volume increases by up to 50% during pregnancy, requiring more iron to prevent maternal anemia. Chronic iron deficiency can impact fetal brain development and increase the risk of preterm birth and low birth weight.
Vitamin D: Essential for fetal bone and teeth development and maternal bone health. Deficiency is linked to a higher risk of preterm birth, gestational diabetes, and preeclampsia.
DHA (Omega-3 Fatty Acid): Supports the baby's brain and eye development. Inadequate intake may impact fetal cognitive and visual function.

Potential Risks of Long-Term Skipping

Skipping prenatals for a month or longer, particularly during the critical first trimester, can increase risks for both mother and baby. Over time, sustained nutrient deficiencies can lead to more pronounced health issues. These risks include:

Increased risk of neural tube defects due to insufficient folic acid.
Maternal anemia and associated fatigue from low iron, which can impact fetal oxygen supply.
Higher risk of preterm birth and low birth weight infants.
Potential for developmental delays in the baby.
Complications for the mother, such as preeclampsia and gestational diabetes.

Tips for Remembering Your Daily Prenatal

Making your prenatal vitamin a consistent habit is key to avoiding these risks. Try some of these strategies to stay on track:

Link it to an existing habit: Take your prenatal with breakfast, when you brush your teeth, or with another daily activity you won't forget.
Visual cues: Keep the vitamin bottle in a highly visible place, like on your kitchen counter, by your coffee maker, or on your nightstand.
Set an alarm: A simple, recurring alarm on your phone can serve as a powerful daily reminder.
Use a pill organizer: A weekly pillbox allows you to prepare doses for the week and see at a glance if you've missed one.
Consider a different form: If the pills cause nausea, talk to your doctor about switching to a gummy or chewable version that might be easier to tolerate.

Comparison of Occasional vs. Frequent Missing


Feature	Occasional Missed Dose (e.g., 1-2 times a week)	Frequent Missed Doses (e.g., several times a week or longer)
Immediate Risk	Very low. Unlikely to have a significant impact on health outcomes.	Higher risk of causing nutrient gaps and deficiencies over time.
Nutrient Levels	Generally maintained, especially with a healthy diet. Body can recover quickly.	Increased risk of depleted nutrient stores, particularly folic acid and iron.
Fetal Impact	Minimal, as the body can buffer a short-term deficit.	Potentially significant, especially during critical developmental windows like the first trimester.
Maternal Impact	Negligible, unless an underlying deficiency already exists.	Increased risk of maternal anemia and other pregnancy-related complications.
Recommended Action	Just resume your regular schedule. Do not double up on the next dose.	Re-establish a consistent routine and discuss any concerns with your healthcare provider.

Conclusion

While a single forgotten prenatal vitamin is not a reason to worry, consistent and long-term neglect can lead to nutrient deficiencies with potentially serious consequences for both mother and baby. The body's need for key nutrients like folic acid, iron, and DHA is critical during pregnancy, and prenatals help ensure these needs are met. Establishing a daily routine with simple reminders, using a pill organizer, or discussing alternative formulations with your doctor are effective strategies for staying consistent. Remember, consistency is more important than perfection. If you find yourself frequently forgetting, talk to your healthcare provider to get back on track and ensure the best possible start for your baby.

For more information on the specific nutrient recommendations during pregnancy, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides comprehensive guidelines on folic acid and other essential vitamins and minerals.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, missing a single prenatal vitamin is generally not a big deal and should not cause you to worry. Just resume your regular daily dose as soon as you remember. The occasional missed dose is common and unlikely to harm you or your baby.

No, you should never double up on your prenatal dose. Taking too much of certain nutrients, like iron or Vitamin A, can be harmful. Just continue with your regular schedule the next day.

Regularly forgetting your prenatals can lead to nutrient deficiencies, particularly in folic acid and iron. This increases the risk of neural tube defects, maternal anemia, low birth weight, and other developmental issues.

If your prenatal vitamins cause nausea, try taking them with food or before bed. You can also ask your doctor about switching to a different brand, or a chewable or gummy formulation, that may be easier on your stomach.

While a balanced diet is very important, it is difficult to obtain the high levels of certain nutrients, like folic acid and iron, needed during pregnancy from food alone. Prenatals are designed to fill these critical gaps.

It is most important to take prenatals, especially folic acid, before conception and throughout the first trimester. This is when the neural tube is forming and is crucial for preventing birth defects.

It is never too late to start taking prenatal vitamins. While the beginning of pregnancy is critical, continuing to take them throughout pregnancy helps maintain nutrient levels for your health and your baby's ongoing development.