A healthy pregnancy starts with a good relationship with your health care provider and a trustworthy source of prenatal education. As your pregnancy continues, there are many things you can do to reduce general discomforts and keep yourself healthy.
This class talks about health care and prenatal education. It describes your baby’s development, explains what you can do to make your pregnancy more comfortable and talks about adjusting to stress.
This class also includes:
Section 2 – I’m pregnant. Now what?
The best gift you can give your unborn baby is a healthy start in life. If you feel well and stay healthy, chances are your baby will too. Take good care of yourself by choosing the right caregiver, learning to work with your health care team and signing up for prenatal education, either online or through in-person classes.
Section 3 – What can I eat?
One of the most important factors for baby’s health as well as your own has to do with the food you eat throughout pregnancy. Sensible eating will give your baby the best chance of a healthy beginning.
This section will help you to:
- Learn about what makes up a healthy diet
- Know how much weight is good to gain in pregnancy
- Discover the nutrients critical to baby during pregnancy, including which foods are good sources of these nutrients
- Choose an appropriate multivitamin and mineral supplement
- Identify the foods you’ll need to avoid or modify to keep you and …
Section 4 – What can I do to stay healthy?
During pregnancy, the growing baby is vulnerable to a number of things that can affect its growth and development. A healthy lifestyle helps protect your baby.
Section 5 – How do I stay safe at home and in my community?
When you are newly pregnant, you may have lots of questions about keeping you and your baby healthy and safe. This section covers some of the most common issues.
Section 6 – How can I stay safe at work?
Working during a healthy pregnancy is usually safe. However, some jobs can pose certain risks and demands. Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns.
Section 7 – What medical tests might be done during my pregnancy?
During pregnancy, your caregiver may recommend some routine and/or other tests to check the health of both you and your baby. Talk with your partner and your caregiver to understand why the tests are done, what information will be obtained and what, if any, risks are involved.
We suggest you write the following questions on a small card for your wallet. Refer to it if you are offered a test or procedure.
- Why are you recommending this test?
- What information do you hope to get from this test?
- Is there another way to get this information?
- What are the …
Section 8 – When should I call my caregiver?
If you notice any changes, trust your instincts. You know your body and your baby best. Don’t hesitate to call your caregiver or birth centre at any time.
Section 9 – Managing stress
Getting the proper amount of rest, being able to manage stress and make use of relaxation techniques are as important to a healthy pregnancy as good nutrition and exercise.