Latest blog by Andrea Donsky, co-founder of NaturallySavvy.com. Read more...

Natural Pregnancy and Prenantal FAQ

  • How can I get calcium in my diet?

    Naturally Savvy

    Q: I know calcium is important during pregnancy but I am allergic to dairy. What foods are good sources of calcium? A: Good food sources of calcium are almonds, almond milk, sesame seeds and tahini, leafy green vegetables, broccoli, sardines, sea vegetables, soybeans, navy beans, bok choy, Brazil nuts, and oranges.

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  • Am I pregnant?

    Naturally Savvy

    Q: What are the first signs of pregnancy? A: The signs differ for all women. The most common signs are a missed period, breast tenderness, frequent urination, mild cramps, increased sense of smell, abdominal bloating, and nausea.

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  • How much weight should I gain while pregnant?

    Naturally Savvy

    Q: How much weight should I gain while pregnant? A: The current recommendations are to gain somewhere in the vicinity of 25-35 pounds. The exact number will depend on your pre-pregnancy weight as thinner women are encouraged to gain a little bit more to have increased fat stores for future breastfeeding while heavier women are encouraged to gain a bit less as they already have accumulated fat stor...

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  • How can I deal with constipation?

    Naturally Savvy

    Q: I have become constipated during my pregnancy. What can I do to increase the frequency of my bowel movements? A: The most important factors for healthy bowel function are adequate fiber consumption (a minimum of 25 grams a day), enough water (about 8 glasses a day), a good supply of probiotics, and essential fatty acids in the diet (good sources are fish oil or flax seed oil). Try these strateg...

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  • Should I avoid diet products?

    Naturally Savvy

    Q: Should I avoid diet products? A: Even though many doctors and medical experts argue that artificial sweeteners are safe to consume, the reality is that these substances cause negative side effects for many of the people who use them. The best approach would be to avoid these products and to limit sugar consumption. During pregnancy, a woman's diet should be as natural as possible to mini...

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  • Is fish safe to eat while pregnant?

    Naturally Savvy

    Q: Can I eat fish while pregnant? A: The answer to that question is not so simple. There are many opinions as to which fish are safe to eat and even how much fish is safe to consume. The most useful guideline to consider is to avoid larger fish such as shark, tilefish, tuna, and swordfish entirely as they are exposed to larger amounts of mercury. It is recommended to strictly limit conventionally...

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  • What supplements should I take while pregnant?

    Naturally Savvy

    Q: What are the top supplements I should consider while pregnant? A: As far as supplements go, the top recommendations would be to choose both a good quality multi-vitamin and mineral formula to ensure you prevent any deficiencies as well as a good quality Omega 3 supplement. The Omega 3 supplement - a good choice is purified fish oil - will assure that your baby has access to the right supply of ...

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  • Getting nutrients while dealing with nausea

    Naturally Savvy

    Q:  I have terrible nausea and it is turning me off of most food. What can I do to make sure I get nutrients into my body? A: Try and stick to bland tasting and smelling foods (often it is the odor that can turn a pregnant woman's stomach) and limit harder to digest foods such as red meat, cheese, and processed foods that contain trans fats. Although it is tempting to want to eat fast foods ...

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  • Should I Take Omega 3's While Pregnant?

    Naturally Savvy

    Q. Should I be taking an Omega 3 fish oil supplement while I am pregnant or should I just eat more fish? - Elana A: According to, pregnant women need to avoid eating raw and certain types of fish since they can contain high levels of mercury, PCB’s and other heavy metals. Examples of this include farmed fish and larger fish such as Sword Fish, Halibut, Canned Tuna, Pike and Large Mouth Bass. Also,...

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