Why MICHIKO Built Its Own Prenatal Multivitamin (And Why It Matters For Your Baby)
The MICHIKO Prenatal Multivitamin
When MICHIKO Co-founder Sirinrada became pregnant, she did what almost every expectant mother in Thailand does first. She walked into pharmacies, scrolled through online stores, and started reading labels.
What she found surprised her. Generic doses. Cheap nutrient forms. The same single recipe sold to every pregnant woman regardless of her diet, her blood work, or her trimester. So MICHIKO did what we have always done when the market does not give patients what they deserve. We built our own foundation, and we personalise the rest with you.
The Gap A Mother Found On Pharmacy Shelves
Most prenatal options on the Thai market fell into one of two camps. Either they were imported general-purpose pregnancy multivitamins designed for Western populations and Western diets, or they were locally produced products that focused on one or two nutrients, usually iron and folic acid, while leaving big gaps elsewhere. Very few were formulated around what an expectant mother in Bangkok actually needs given her food, her sun exposure, her stress levels, and her stage of pregnancy.
Three things stood out to her when she compared what was on the shelves with what the science actually recommends.
Why A Prenatal Multivitamin Is Not Optional
Pregnancy creates the single largest nutrient demand of a woman’s life. The body is building a brain, a heart, a spine, a placenta, a blood supply, and a thousand other systems from scratch. The science here is settled, not speculative.
Folate is the headline nutrient. Folic acid supplementation, ideally starting before conception, prevents neural tube defects like spina bifida. The American Pregnancy Association and ACOG recommend 400 to 1,000 mcg of folic acid daily for women trying to conceive.
DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid, is the quiet hero of fetal brain development. It accumulates in the fetal brain rapidly during the second half of gestation. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend 250 to 375 mg of EPA plus DHA per day for pregnant and lactating women, and intake among women of child-bearing age remains very low. We do not include DHA in the base multivitamin because the right dose varies significantly by diet and trimester. Instead, our medical team prescribes a separate DHA supplement personalised to the patient.
The role of Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation
Research consistently shows that Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (MMS) outperforms standard iron and folate alone.
A 2025 clinical review reported that MMS reduces miscarriage, pre-eclampsia, anemia, preterm birth, and placental insufficiency, while improving DHA status and breastmilk quality.
MMS containing 800 mcg of folic acid was more effective than 400 mcg alone in the same review.
Formulated By A Longevity And Anti-Aging Specialist
Sirinrada identified the gap. Translating that gap into a clinically sound formulation required a different kind of expertise. That is where Dr. Wisutthiya Boonsom, known to patients as Dr. Gift, stepped in.
Dr. Wisutthiya Boonsom (Dr. Gift)
As a board-certified specialist in Preventive and Anti-Aging Medicine with more than 13 years of experience, Dr. Gift brings a longevity-first perspective to every formulation decision. Pregnancy is not only the start of a new life. It is also one of the most consequential nutritional windows in a mother's own long-term health.
Dr. Gift personally led the development of the MICHIKO Prenatal Multivitamin. Every nutrient form, every dose, and every exclusion was reviewed against current obstetric and longevity research, then balanced against what works for women living in Thailand.
The combination matters. A founder's lived experience of what is missing on the shelf, paired with a longevity specialist's training in how nutrition shapes both maternal and child outcomes for decades to come. That is the team behind every bottle.
What Is Inside The MICHIKO Prenatal Multivitamin
The MICHIKO Prenatal Multivitamin is a single daily capsule that delivers a complete profile of evidence-based ingredients. No hidden fillers. No proprietary blends. Every input is reviewed by our medical team, and your specific dosing protocol is set during consultation based on your blood work and trimester.
Foundation nutrients for pregnancy
The headline nutrient for pregnancy. Folate supports neural tube development in the earliest weeks of gestation, before many women even know they are pregnant.
Chelated iron is gentler on a pregnant stomach than ferrous sulfate, the form responsible for most nausea and constipation complaints during pregnancy.
Essential for maternal thyroid function and fetal brain development, often underconsumed in modern diets even where salt is iodised.
Critical for fetal bone development and reduced risk of certain pregnancy complications. Particularly relevant for Bangkok-based women with low sun exposure and indoor lifestyles.
Methylated B-complex for energy and methylation
The active, methylated form of B12. More usable than synthetic cyanocobalamin, especially for women with MTHFR gene variants.
The B-complex backbone that supports energy production, red blood cell formation, and the elevated metabolic demand of pregnancy.
Supports neurotransmitter production and is often used clinically to help manage pregnancy nausea. Dosing is set under medical supervision.
Supports hair, skin, and nail integrity during pregnancy and contributes to healthy fetal growth.
Minerals, co-factors, and antioxidants
The foundation for fetal bone and tooth development, plus protection of maternal bone density across pregnancy and lactation.
Supports muscle function, sleep, and the cardiovascular system. Often deficient in modern diets, including in Thailand.
Trace minerals for immune function, thyroid support, and fetal cellular development. Delivered in chelated forms for better absorption.
Copper supports iron metabolism and connective tissue formation. Chromium supports blood sugar balance, important when insulin sensitivity shifts during pregnancy.
An antioxidant that also supports iron absorption, immune function, and collagen formation for healthy maternal tissues.
A precursor to glutathione, the body's master antioxidant. Supports detoxification and may help protect against oxidative stress during pregnancy.
Why we do not publish the exact doses on this page
The MICHIKO Prenatal Multivitamin is a prescribed protocol, not a one-size-fits-all product. Your dosing is set by our medical team during consultation, based on your blood work, your trimester, and any existing conditions or medications.
The full ingredient list and clinical doses are reviewed with you in person, and your bottle is dispensed accordingly. This is part of how we keep the formula safe, effective, and genuinely matched to you rather than to an average woman who does not exist.
Why The MICHIKO Prenatal Is The Starting Point, Not The Finish Line
Walk into any pharmacy in Bangkok and you will see the same pattern. One pink box for "all pregnant women." The same fixed dose, the same fixed combination, sold to a 26 year old in her first trimester and a 41 year old expecting twins. The science of pregnancy is shared. Their bodies and needs are not.
The MICHIKO Prenatal Multivitamin is the strong, evidence-based foundation. What sets our approach apart is what happens around it.
How we personalise around the prenatal base
Iron demand rises sharply in the second and third trimester. DHA matters most for fetal brain growth in the second half of gestation. We review and adjust each trimester.
Vitamin D, ferritin, B12, and other markers are checked, not assumed. The data drives the protocol, and high-dose ingredients are adjusted to your actual levels.
DHA is not in the base capsule because the right dose varies. We prescribe a separate DHA supplement chosen to fit your fish intake and your trimester.
Severe morning sickness, low energy, sleep disruption, or thyroid changes are individual. We adjust your plan to match what you are actually experiencing.
If you take medication for thyroid, diabetes, or any other condition, your protocol is adjusted to avoid interactions and support your specific situation.
The plan continues after delivery. Nutrient needs during lactation differ again, and we adapt so both mother and baby continue to be supported.
This is what we mean when we say we work with new mothers, not at them. The bottle is the same starting point. What surrounds it is built around you.
Designed For The Way You Actually Live
A prenatal that sits forgotten in a cupboard does nothing for anyone. We designed the MICHIKO Prenatal Multivitamin to fit into the rhythm of a real day, whether you are heading to the office, travelling for work, or managing a busy household.
Each box is a 30-day supply, dosed once daily, with clean packaging that travels easily in a handbag or weekend bag. No oversized bottles. No complicated schedules. Just one consistent daily step taken at the time that works for you.
We replenish stock automatically when you book your follow-up consultation, so you never run out at the wrong moment. Most patients pair it with a monthly check-in via LINE so we can adjust as your pregnancy progresses.
Who Should Take It, And When
The answer most people miss is earlier than you think.
The neural tube closes within the first 28 days of pregnancy, often before a woman knows she is pregnant. That is why folate supplementation is recommended for any woman who could become pregnant, not just those actively trying. Many specialists recommend starting a prenatal multivitamin at least three months before conception.
The MICHIKO Prenatal Multivitamin was designed for you if you are:
Trying to conceive, or open to the possibility within the next year.
Currently pregnant in any trimester.
Breastfeeding. DHA and several other nutrients continue to matter for the infant during lactation.
Recently postpartum and rebuilding nutrient stores after a recent pregnancy.
If you have a chronic condition, are on medication, or have specific dietary restrictions, our medical team will review your situation in consultation before recommending a daily protocol. That is part of the standard MICHIKO approach. We do not believe in "take this and hope."
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I start taking a prenatal multivitamin?
Ideally three months before conception. Folate is most critical in the first 28 days of pregnancy, which is often before pregnancy is detected. If you are already pregnant, start as soon as possible.
Can I just take a regular multivitamin instead?
A regular adult multivitamin is not designed for pregnancy. Doses of folate, iron, and iodine are typically too low, and some ingredients (such as high-dose vitamin A as retinol) can be unsafe in pregnancy. A purpose-built, personalised prenatal protocol is the right tool for the job.
Will the iron in MICHIKO Prenatal upset my stomach?
We chose a chelated iron form specifically to reduce the nausea and constipation that drive many women to stop taking iron-containing prenatals. Most patients tolerate it well. If you have a sensitive system, take it with food and water.
Why are some ingredients dosed higher than in a typical drugstore prenatal?
Several ingredients in the MICHIKO Prenatal are set at therapeutic levels chosen for specific clinical reasons, such as addressing the widespread vitamin D deficiency we see in Bangkok-based women or supporting pregnancy nausea management. These doses are prescribed and monitored by our medical team based on your blood work and trimester. This is why the multivitamin is dispensed after consultation rather than sold off the shelf.
Does MICHIKO Prenatal include DHA?
No, DHA is not in the base capsule. The right DHA dose varies significantly by diet and trimester, so we prescribe a separate DHA supplement that is personalised to you. This pairs with the multivitamin to give you the complete pregnancy nutrient profile.
How is this different from buying a prenatal at a pharmacy?
A pharmacy prenatal is the same fixed-dose product sold to every pregnant woman. The MICHIKO Prenatal Multivitamin is the foundation, but your protocol is personalised. Our medical team adjusts dosing, adds DHA and other targeted nutrients, and reviews your blood work each trimester to make sure the plan still fits what you actually need.
Do I still need to eat well if I am taking a prenatal?
Yes. A prenatal multivitamin is insurance against gaps. It is not a replacement for a varied diet rich in vegetables, protein, healthy fats, and whole grains. Think of it as a floor, not a ceiling.
Can my husband take this too?
No. This is formulated for pregnancy and lactation, and the higher doses of certain ingredients are not appropriate for general use. If your partner is interested in a multivitamin to support fertility or general health, our medical team can recommend a more appropriate option.
Where can I get the MICHIKO Prenatal Multivitamin?
The MICHIKO Prenatal Multivitamin is dispensed after a medical consultation, not sold off the shelf. Visit either MICHIKO Wellness branch in Bangkok (EmSphere on the 7th floor of EM TOWER, or Phaholyothin 21), or contact us through LINE at @michiko.wellness to book your consultation.
Built By Mothers, Personalised By Doctors, Designed For You
When you build a wellness clinic, your values get tested every time you face a real patient. The Prenatal Multivitamin is one of those moments where what we believe became something we built.
We believe pregnant women in Thailand deserve more than a generic pink box. They deserve a foundation formulated by a team that has actually been through pregnancy themselves, and a doctor-led plan that adapts as their body, their baby, and their trimester change.
If that sounds like the standard you want for your own pregnancy, we would love to meet you. Available at both Bangkok branches, EmSphere and Phaholyothin 21. Open daily from 10:00 to 20:00.
