The Healthy Pregnancy Guide
If you are pregnant, or are planning to become pregnant, this guide is for you!
Having a baby can be a wonderful experience, but it can also be a time of uncertainty. Many women have questions and concerns as they face all the changes that pregnancy brings. But with advice coming from everyone, it’s tough to know who to listen to. That’s why having the accurate information is so important! It will help you to make good decisions about how to take care of yourself before, during and after your pregnancy.
At the beginning of the guide, you will find important facts and questions related to a healthy pregnancy. They include:
- Prenatal Nutrition
- Folic Acid
- Alcohol and Pregnancy
- Physical Activity and Pregnancy
- Smoking and Pregnancy
- Oral Health
- Emotional Health
Prenatal Nutrition
Healthy eating plays a very important role in a healthy pregnancy. You need to eat foods from a variety of sources to make sure you get all the vitamins, minerals and nutrients you and your developing baby need. Eating well will also help you feel better, give you more energy and help keep your weight in check. It will also contribute to your baby’s healthy growth and development.
Folid Acid
Your baby’s brain, skull and spine form during the first few weeks of pregnancy, before you even know you are expecting! In order for them to form properly, you must have enough folic acid.
Alcohol and Pregnancy
Alcohol and pregnancy don’t mix. If you drink alcohol while you are pregnant, you are at risk of giving birth to a baby with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). FASD is a term that describes a range of disabilities (physical, social, mental/emotional) that may affect people whose birth mothers drank alcohol while they were pregnant.
Physical Activity and Pregnancy
There was a time when pregnant women were encouraged to avoid physical activity. Fortunately, attitudes about pregnancy have changed and medical experts now recommend regular physical activity as part of a healthy pregnancy.
Smoking and Pregnancy
When you or the people around you smoke, your baby smokes too. A smoke-free environment is best for both you and your developing baby.
Oral Health
Taking care of your teeth and gums is very important when you are pregnant. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can increase your risk of developing periodontal (gum and bone) disease. Poor oral health may also affect the health of your developing baby.
Emotional Health
When you are pregnant, the thoughts and feelings you experience can range from happiness and contentment -"I can't wait to hold my new baby", "I'm going to be a great mother" -to worry and stress- "Will I ever lose all this weight?", "Can I really support a baby on this pay cheque?" It's normal to experience these types of feelings. Your moods are changing right along with your hormones and your
body. That's why your emotional health is more important than ever!
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