| Health Risk |
Ask Yourself? |
Effects Before and During Pregnancy |
What You Can Do |
Stress |
- Do I feel my life is balanced and in control most of the time?
- When I feel stressed or depressed, do I get the help that I need?
- Am I sleeping well?
- Am I eating well?
|
|
- Get regular physical activity and eat healthy
- Learn the signs of stress and depression
- Get 7-9 hours of sleep
- Life with a new baby
|
Physical |
- Do I participate in different forms of physical activity each week?
- Am I physically active for at least 30 minutes, 3-4 times a week?
- Physical Activity Guidelines
|
- Regular exercise before pregnancy makes it easier to stay active during pregnancy
- Physical activity helps your baby to have a healthy birth weight
|
- Try not to go overboard with exercising, too much can make it hard to get pregnant
- Walk daily
- When possible, use the stairs instead of elevators or escalators
|
Nutrition |
|
- A daily balance of fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy products and protein, help build healthy sperm and eggs
- Underweight or overweight women may have difficulty getting pregnant
- Women in their child-bearing years need to take a multivitamin containing 0.4mg of folic acid to prevent birth defects of the brain and spine
|
- If you've had a problem with overeating or extreme dieting, this is a great opportunity to talk to someone about your concerns before you get pregnant
- Talk to your health care provider about healthy eating, physical activity and how to reach your healthy weight
|
Smoking |
- Do I smoke?
- Is my home smoke free?
- Do guests smoke outside the home?
- Do I stay away from second-hand smoke?
|
- A man's sperm is affected by smoke. A smoker's sperm has a harder time fertilizing a woman's egg
- Smoking during pregnancy can cause your baby to be born too soon or too small
- Smoking can increase the chances of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)
- Babies are more likely to have breathing problems and ear infections
|
- Give yourself time to cut down or quit before pregnancy
- Speak to a health care provider
- Call Smokers' Helpline at 1-877-513-5333 or visit www.smokershelpline.ca
|
Caffeine, Drugs and Alcohol |
- Do I need to cut down on my caffeine intake?
- Have I talked to my health care provider and/or pharmacist about the medications I am taking (prescribed and over the counter)?
- Do I avoid alcohol?
- Do I avoid recreational drugs such as marijuana or cocaine?
|
- Too much caffeine may cause your baby to be born too small or have birth defects
- Some medications (prescription and over the counter products) can make it harder to get pregnant or may cause problems during pregnancy
- Drinking alcohol can affect a man's sperm
- No amount of alcohol is safe during pregnancy
- Recreational drugs can lead to birth defects and learning disabilities in children
|
- Cut back on all sources of caffeine: coffee, tea, colas, chocolate and some medications
- While planning a pregnancy or during pregnancy limit your caffeine intake to 300 milligrams (1 ½ cups of coffee per day).
- Find out if any medications you are taking can be continued during pregnancy. You may need to change the dosage, stop using the medication, or change to a different medication before planning a pregnancy. Talk to a Health Care Provider before making changes to medications
- It is safest to stop drinking alcohol and taking drugs before planning a pregnancy
|
Environmental Chemicals |
- Have I thought about the environmental hazards that are around me every day?
|
- If men or women are exposed to chemicals such as lead, pesticides, solvents or mercury, it can become difficult to get pregnant and may cause health problems for the baby
|
- To learn more about the biological, physical and chemical hazards you use at work, home and play, read the labels on all containers
|
Relationships |
- Do I know the health history of my family and my partner?
- Do I have people to share my feelings with?
- Do I feel safe both physically and emotionally?
|
- Health problems can be passed on through families
- Woman abuse often starts or gets worse with pregnancy
- Having a baby can add stress to a relationship and not make it better
|
- If you know of any physical, mental, or other health problems such as cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia, or Downs Syndrome, you may want to talk to a genetic counsellor before planning a pregnancy
- Family and friends can be great support before, during and after pregnancy
- If you are being abused, talk to someone you trust
www.sandgate.ca
www.yellowbrickhouse.org
- If you are an abuser, talk to your health care provider
|
Physical Examination |
- Are my immunizations up to date?
- Have I been recently tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs)?
- Have I booked my "health before pregnancy" check up with my health care provider?
|
- Men and women benefit from a check up before pregnancy.
- If you have had problems with a previous pregnancy, have a medical condition, or are taking drugs, you may need specialized care before, during and after your pregnancy
- STI's may make it difficult to get pregnant and can harm an unborn baby
- Chlamydia is a common STI that has no signs or symptoms. If left untreated, it can lead to infertility
|
- Book a check up with your health care provider before getting pregnant
- Make sure your immunizations are current and up to date before pregnancy and then wait at least 3 months before you try to conceive
- Talk to your health care provider about being tested for STIs
- Learn how to prevent pregnancy until you are ready to start a family
- Pregnant women should not get "live virus" vaccines
|
Print 
