What to expect when you see a naturopath during pregnancy
What does a naturopath do during pregnancy in Toronto at Oona? From first‑trimester nausea and fatigue to third‑trimester birth preparation, here is what to expect.
Written by Dr. Sarah Mickeler, Founder, Oona Wellness Group Toronto and Newmarket
By the time most people walk through our doors at Oona, they have likely already had a few appointments related to their pregnancy or postpartum. On paper, everything looks normal. And still, something does not feel right. The nausea has not eased. The exhaustion feels heavier than expected. Anxiety shows up early and stays. Heartburn, constipation, headaches, trouble sleeping, it starts to layer, and somehow there has not been space to really talk about any of it.
This is where a naturopath during pregnancy in Toronto can fit in. Not as a replacement for your medical care, but as part of your circle of support. Alongside it, with the time and attention to look at how you are actually feeling day to day.
Most prenatal care is focused on screening rather than prevention. A naturopath fills the space in between, addressing the things that affect how you feel that a standard appointment does not have time to reach.
What a naturopath does during pregnancy
At Oona, we look at the full picture: your symptoms, your nutrition, your bloodwork, your stress, your sleep, and your history. Dr. Alexsia Priolo has been working with pregnant women at Oona in Toronto since 2019. She works alongside your existing care team, communicates with your medical providers where appropriate, and builds a plan that is specific to your pregnancy, your body, and your goals.
Our naturopathic care services are designed to support you through all stages of pregnancy, from the first trimester through to birth preparation.
Looking at bloodwork differently
Standard prenatal bloodwork is very good at identifying serious conditions that need medical intervention. What it is not designed to do is optimize. A result that falls within the normal range may still represent a level of iron, vitamin D, thyroid function, or blood sugar that is suboptimal for a healthy pregnancy or for how you feel day to day.
Dr. Alexsia reviews your existing bloodwork with pregnancy‑specific targets in mind. She may recommend additional tests where the standard panel has not looked at something relevant to your symptoms or your history. She interprets results in context, not just against a reference range.
Supporting nausea and first trimester symptoms
We hear this all the time in clinic. Nausea hits more than 70% of pregnant women, and despite the name, it’s almost never just in the morning. Yet the standard advice hasn’t really evolved: eat some crackers, sip ginger tea, hang in there. For a lot of women, that barely scratches the surface of what they’re dealing with.
Because this isn’t just a minor inconvenience: it’s weeks, sometimes months, of feeling constantly off. Food becomes unappealing or impossible. Energy tanks. Even a short walk can feel like you’ve run a race. And then there’s the mental side of it, lying in bed exhausted but unable to sleep because your brain won’t settle.
The good news is, there are options that actually move the needle. Not guesswork, not “try this and see,” but treatments backed by evidence: specific forms and doses of vitamin B6, therapeutic‑grade ginger, targeted nutrition changes, acupuncture. The key is that it’s not one‑size‑fits‑all. What helps one person might do nothing for someone else.
That’s where a personalized plan matters. Dr. Alexsia looks at the full picture, your symptoms, your body, your pregnancy, and builds something tailored, not generic.
And yes, acupuncture often plays a role. It can be incredibly helpful, whether you’re dealing with nausea, pelvic pain, or getting your body ready for birth.
Nutrition and supplements that fit you
Most people know they’re supposed to take a prenatal vitamin. It’s kind of the baseline advice. But very few actually know if that one capsule is covering what their body needs, or what might still be missing.
That’s where a more thoughtful approach comes in. Dr. Alexsia doesn’t stop at “are you taking a prenatal?” She looks at what’s underneath that. Your iron levels. Vitamin D. Omega 3s. Choline. Magnesium. Whether you’re realistically getting enough protein in a day. Not in theory, but in your actual, real‑life routine.
She’s not pulling from a standard checklist; she’s looking at your labs, your history, how you’re feeling, and building from there.
The reality is that the gap between “technically fine” and truly supported can be pretty big. Take iron, for example. You can be within a normal range on paper and still feel completely drained. When levels are optimized, not just acceptable, it shows up in your energy, your focus, even your mood.
Managing common pregnancy symptoms
Heartburn. Constipation. Wildly painful leg cramps that wake you up at 3 a.m. Headaches. Sleep that falls apart in the third trimester. Swelling. Pelvic pain. Numb, tingly hands from carpal tunnel.
Most women hear the same thing when they bring this up: it’s normal, it’s part of pregnancy, just ride it out.
And yes, these symptoms are common. But that doesn’t mean they’re inevitable, or even normal. And it definitely doesn’t mean you’re supposed to just grit your teeth and get through it.
A lot of these issues are surprisingly responsive to the right kind of support. Small but targeted shifts, how you’re eating, what you’re supplementing, how your body is being supported physically, can make a real difference. Acupuncture can help. So can dialing in specific nutrients or adjusting routines in a way that actually fits your day‑to‑day life.
The goal isn’t perfection. It’s feeling like yourself again, or at least a version of yourself that isn’t just surviving the next nine months.
Mental health and emotional support
Pregnancy isn’t automatically this glowing, joyful chapter for everyone. That’s just not the reality we see.
Anxiety, in particular, shows up a lot more than people expect. It’s one of the most common mental health challenges during pregnancy, often affecting as many or more women than depression, and yet it still gets far less attention. You can have a perfectly “normal” ultrasound and still feel completely unsettled. Worry about the birth. Mixed feelings about becoming a parent. Grief that hasn’t gone anywhere after a previous loss. Strain in your relationship. Or just this quiet, disorienting sense that the version of you from before is slipping away.
Those experiences are real. And they don’t cancel themselves out just because everything looks fine on paper.
Naturopathic care isn’t meant to replace therapy or mental health support when that’s what’s needed. And when it is, Dr. Alexsia works closely with our mental health team to make sure you’re getting the right kind of care.
But there’s also a physical side to anxiety that often gets overlooked. Nutrient deficiencies. Poor sleep. Ongoing symptoms like nausea or pain that wear you down over time. Those things matter, and they’re part of the picture she addresses. When you start to support the body properly, it can take some of the edge off, and create a bit more steadiness to build from.
Blood sugar and gestational diabetes
Gestational diabetes affects a significant proportion of pregnancies. Risk factors include previous gestational diabetes, PCOS, a family history of type 2 diabetes, carrying excess weight, and older maternal age. But gestational diabetes also occurs in women without any of these risk factors.
Naturopathic care has meaningful tools for supporting blood sugar balance throughout pregnancy, through nutritional strategies, specific supplementation, and lifestyle guidance. For women who receive a gestational diabetes diagnosis, Dr. Alexsia supports this alongside your medical care, helping you navigate what is often a frightening and confusing time.
Preparing for birth
Later in pregnancy, the focus naturally shifts toward getting ready for birth, and one piece that matters more than most people realize is positioning. A baby who’s head down and whose back is in the right position is generally in the best spot for a smoother, more efficient labour.
When a baby isn’t quite there yet, there are ways to gently support that shift. Acupuncture and moxibustion are both commonly used to encourage optimal positioning. Dr. Alexsia has extensive experience working with breech and transverse babies, especially using moxibustion, and supports families who want to give things the best possible chance of turning before birth. We also work closely with our chiropractors, who are experts in fetal positioning, so care is coordinated from multiple angles.
In the final weeks, acupuncture can also play a role in labour prep, supporting cervical ripening and helping the body get ready for what’s ahead. The goal of labour prep acupuncture is to encourage a more efficient birth, and it can really work a treat. It also comes with a much‑needed acu‑nap, which, at that stage of pregnancy, can feel like a small miracle.
What an appointment feels like
The first appointment is the longest. It starts with a real conversation covering your health history, your experience of this pregnancy so far, your existing bloodwork, your diet, your sleep, your stress, and your specific concerns. Dr. Alexsia asks questions that most prenatal appointments do not have time to ask.
From there, she builds a plan that actually fits you. It may include nutritional guidance, targeted supplementation, acupuncture, or a referral back to your medical team with specific questions. Follow‑up appointments track how you are responding and adjust as things change, because pregnancy changes quickly.
Virtual appointments are available across Ontario for patients who are not in Toronto or who prefer to be seen from home.
You do not need to arrive with your labs organised or your history perfectly recalled. Come as you are and tell her what has been happening. That is enough to start.
Frequently asked questions
Is naturopathic treatment safe during pregnancy?
Yes, when provided by a properly trained and licensed naturopathic doctor. Dr. Alexsia has specialized in pregnancy care for nearly a decade. Any supplements, herbs, or treatments she recommends are chosen with your specific stage of pregnancy in mind. Nothing is used based on general wellness claims. Everything has a clinical reason.
What is the difference between my OB or midwife and a naturopath?
Your OB or midwife monitors your pregnancy medically, tracks fetal development, manages risk, and supports you through birth. A naturopath works with how you feel, what you eat, what your body needs nutritionally, and the symptoms and experiences that standard appointments do not have time to address. Most of Dr. Alexsia’s patients have a midwife or OB, and she works alongside them, not instead of them.
Can a naturopath help with nausea?
Yes. This is one of the most common reasons women come in. Dr. Alexsia uses specific forms of vitamin B6, clinically effective ginger, dietary modifications, and acupuncture, all of which have solid evidence behind them.
Do I still need a prenatal vitamin?
Usually yes, but Dr. Alexsia helps you choose a prenatal that actually meets your needs and may adjust the dosage or add additional supplements based on your bloodwork.
Can you order or review bloodwork?
Yes. Dr. Alexsia reviews your existing bloodwork and may recommend additional tests. She interprets results in context, not just against standard reference ranges.
Can naturopathic care help with anxiety during pregnancy?
She looks at the physical drivers of anxiety, including nutritional factors, sleep, and the physical symptoms that make anxiety worse. When psychological support is needed, she collaborates with Oona’s mental health team.
Can you help with gestational diabetes?
Yes, alongside your medical care. Dr. Alexsia provides nutritional strategies, supplementation, and ongoing guidance to support blood sugar balance.
Do you use acupuncture?
Yes. Acupuncture is often used for nausea, pelvic pain, headaches, sleep disruption, and labour preparation. Dr. Alexsia is a licensed Acupuncture Provider, so both naturopathic medicine and acupuncture are available within a single care relationship.
When should I start seeing a naturopath during pregnancy?
Anytime. Many women start as soon as the test is positive. Others come in the second or third trimester with specific concerns. There is no wrong time to begin.
Is naturopathic care covered by insurance?
Naturopathic medicine is covered by many extended health plans in Ontario. Check your plan for naturopathic coverage and annual limits. Oona offers direct billing wherever your provider supports it.
Are virtual appointments available?
Yes. Virtual appointments are available across Ontario for women who are not in Toronto or who prefer to be seen from home.
How do I know if I need this?
If something feels off, that is usually enough reason to start. You do not need a diagnosis or a clear answer before you come in.
A note from Sarah
A lot of women are told their bloodwork is “normal” and quietly land on the same conclusion: I guess I just have to get through this. That hasn’t been our experience at Oona. More often than not, there’s room to improve how someone is actually feeling, and you shouldn’t have to figure that out on your own.
When I was pregnant, I didn’t realize that was even an option. I assumed the nausea, the exhaustion, the anxiety, that constant sense that something huge was happening in my body and I didn’t fully have a handle on it, that was just part of the deal.
I didn’t know care like this existed. Care that actually looks at the full picture and responds in a way that makes sense for a real person, not just a chart. And once I saw how many women were moving through pregnancy and postpartum feeling unseen in that same way, it became pretty clear something needed to be built differently. That’s what led me to start Oona.
From the beginning, the idea was simple: care should reflect what people are actually going through, not just what shows up in their labs. Oona was built to raise the standard for fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum care, with a focus on the whole person, not just one phase or one system.
That means slowing down enough to really listen. Connecting the dots. Offering support that’s thoughtful, informed, and actually useful in your day‑to‑day life. Because this isn’t a small experience, and it shouldn’t be met with rushed appointments or half‑answers.
That’s the work Dr. Alexsia does. She looks at the full picture. She asks the questions that often get missed. She builds a plan around you, not a checklist. And she stays with you through the pregnancy, adjusting as your needs change, because they will.
Oona is where you don’t have to carry it alone. Oona is where it gets easier.
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If everything looks fine but does not feel fine, that is where we start. You do not need a diagnosis or a clear answer before you come in.
