What you should do when you find out that you are pregnant

It is important to see a health care provider to help you have a healthy pregnancy and baby. Make an appointment as soon as you know that you are pregnant. Once you are pregnant, continue to talk with other parents and your health care provider about ways in which you can prepare for the arrival of your baby. Register for York Region Health Services Prenatal Classes to learn from and share your experiences with other new parents and make informed choices.

How Fathers and Partners can be supportive during this time

If you are going to be a father, or if your partner is pregnant, there is a lot you can do during the pregnancy to help:

• Ask the expecting mother or health care provider how you can help
• Go to the health care provider with her
• Take prenatal classes
• Learn about pregnancy and birth
• Talk about how you like to parent your child
• Talk about breastfeeding
• If you are a smoker, try to cut down or quit 
• If your partner is a smoker, help her to cut down or quit  
• Support her to stop drinking alcohol
• Encourage her to be active
• Understand that she may be moody at times
• Help her rest when she is tired
• If you own a cat, you should change the cat litter box, as pregnant women can get toxoplasmosis, an infection from contact with cats and their feces 
• Carry things that are too heavy for her
• Understand that her interest in sex may change during pregnancy.
• Learn how to take care of your new baby
• Think about the things the baby will need. Get your home ready for the baby. Ensure you have an infant car seat to take your baby home from the hospital 
• Find out about classes or groups for new parents in your community.

Healthy Eating During Pregnancy
Please refer to the following link for more information about Healthy Eating During Pregnancy

Healthy Weights: Pregnancy
Please refer to the following link for more information about Healthy Weights: Pregnancy

What to Expect in the next 9 months
Pregnancy usually lasts 40 weeks (about 9 months) and has three parts. Each part is called a trimester. Each trimester is about 3 months long.

Tips on getting ready for baby

As your baby's due date approaches, the third trimester is the best time to start getting ready for the labour and birth of your baby, as well as bringing the baby home.

What you or your partner can do to prepare:

• Go on a hospital tour
• Make a list of things that your baby will need
• Decide who you want to have with your during labour and birth for support
• Make a birth plan or "wish list" 
• Decide where your baby will sleep. Get this place ready. It is recommended that your baby sleep in your room, in a crib on their back 
• Talk to your health care provider about labour and birth
• Talk to other parents about their labour and birth. Ask for advice about the first few weeks after delivery 
• Arrange for family or friends to help out during the first few weeks at home
• Talk about why babies cry and what you think you can do to soothe them
• Learn more about breastfeeding  
• Find out about maternity leave
• Rest when you can
• Ask for help when you need it
• Learn more about community programs for new parents  

Labour and Birth FAQ's (Frequently Asked Questions)

What is labour? Labour is the work your womb does to help the baby come out. For many hours, the uterus will tighten (contract), rest, and then tighten (contract) again. This helps to make the opening of the uterus (cervix) get thinner (efface) and open (dilate).

What is a contraction? A contraction is when your uterus gets tight, rests and then gets tight again. You will feel many contractions when you are in labour. When your cervix opens up to 10 cm, your contractions and your pushing will move the baby down the vagina and out into world.

How long does labour last? Every labour and every birth is different for each woman. It is hard to know how long your labour will last.

What are some signs of labour:
There are some normal signs of labour that will tell you if your labour may begin soon. Most women go into labour within a week of their due date. If you have signs of labour before you are 37 weeks pregnant, go to the hospital right away (see Preterm Labour section for more information)

Pre-labour vs. Labour Contractions

What are the differences between Braxton Hicks (pre-labour) contractions and true labour contractions?
Braxton-Hicks contractions are contractions of the uterus that occur during pregnancy. They are usually not painful and can last about a minute. The chart below will help you tell the difference between pre-labour contractions and true labour contractions.

Preterm Labour

Pregnancy normally lasts between 37 and 42 weeks. Preterm labour is labour that starts before 37 weeks. Babies who are born too soon may have health problems. Premature babies may need special care in the hospital.

Signs of Preterm Labour:

If you experience any of these symptoms, go to the hospital right away

• Bleeding from your vagina
• Cramps like you're having a period
• Stomach pains that do not go away (with or without diarrhea)
• Water leaking from your vagina
• Sudden increase in the amount of discharge from your vagina
• Sudden change in the type of discharge (mucousy, watery, bloody)
• Pressure that feels like the baby's head is pushing down
• Low dull backache below the waist that feels different than usual
• An urgent need to pee (urinate) or need to pee (urinate) often
• Contractions (tightening of the womb) that come often and do not go away
• Contractions that get stronger and closer together

It is not possible to prevent all preterm births, but there are things you can do to reduce the chances of preterm birth such as:

• Start seeing you health care provider as early as possible in your pregnancy
• Try to stop smoking or cut down
• Make your home and car smoke-free  
• Ask others not to smoke around you
• Go to a group program for pregnant women early in your pregnancy
• Be aware of how your body changes with pregnancy
• Take time to rest everyday
• Learn the signs and symptoms of preterm labour and what to do if you have them. Tell your support person as well.
• Eat healthy foods and follow Canada's Food Guide for pregnant women 
• See your health care provider if smelly fluid comes from your vagina that also makes you itchy
• See your health care provider if it is painful to pee (urinate)
• Find ways to manage stress in your life