Healthy Pregnancy

Finding out you're pregnant can bring many feelings. You might be excited and happy, or you might feel nervous and unsure about what comes next. Even if this isn’t your first pregnancy, you may have questions and concerns. 

We want to help you have a healthy pregnancy and baby by connecting you to the information you need. Below, you’ll find advice on common pregnancy health topics. But it's always important to talk to a doctor or healthcare provider. They can give you guidance based on your own health and pregnancy. 

If you are pregnant, see a healthcare provider as soon as possible. This could be a doctor, nurse practitioner, OBGYN, or midwife. Starting the discussion early helps to support a healthy pregnancy. 

Food & Nutrition

Eating healthy during pregnancy helps your baby get the nutrients needed for growth. Some nutrients are especially important when you are pregnant. These include:  

• Folate (folic acid) 
• Iron 
• Omega-3 Fats 
• Calcium 
• Vitamin D 
• Vitamin C 

Canada's Food Guide provides information on the nutrition building blocks needed for a healthy pregnancy. 

Physical Activity

Being active while you're pregnant is safe and good for both you and your baby. 

Regular physical activity during pregnancy can: 

•        Help you stay fit and active
•        Make it easier to keep a healthy weight
•        Lower your chance of getting diabetes or high blood pressure
•        Boost your mood and make you feel better
•        Build strength to get your body ready for labor and birth

The Canadian Guideline for Physical Activity throughout Pregnancy recommends that pregnant people should get at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week. You should spread this over at least three days. 

Before you start or change any exercise, talk to your doctor or healthcare provider. This is very important if you have health problems that could make exercise unsafe during pregnancy. 

Alcohol

If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant, the safest choice is to avoid alcohol. Drinking alcohol while pregnant can hurt your baby's growth. It can also cause brain damage or birth defects. Alcohol before birth is the leading known cause of developmental disabilities in Canada. 

What is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)? 

FASD includes many physical, mental, and behavioural problems that can happen if a baby is exposed to alcohol during pregnancy. Children with FASD may: 

• Have trouble learning 
• Struggle to sit still (hyperactivity) 
• Find it hard to focus or remember things 
• Have difficulty controlling anger 
• Make poor decisions 
• Struggle to solve problems 

Important facts about alcohol and pregnancy: 

• There is no safe time to drink alcohol when pregnant. 
• There is no safe type of alcohol to drink when pregnant. 
• There is no safe amount of alcohol to drink when pregnant. 

Smoking & Vaping

Staying away from smoking and vaping is best for you and your baby. Using tobacco, breathing in second-hand smoke, or vaping during pregnancy can harm your baby’s health. 

Facts About Smoking & Vaping During Pregnancy 

• Smoking while pregnant: 
• Lowers the amount of oxygen your baby gets. 
• Raises the chances of problems during pregnancy and birth. 
• Raises the risk of miscarriage, early birth, stillbirth, low birth weight, and birth defects. 
• Raises the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). 
• Second-hand smoke can also harm you and your baby before and after birth. 
• Vaping exposes your baby to nicotine and other harmful chemicals. 

Cannabis

Studies show that there is no safe amount of cannabis to use during pregnancy. The safest choice is to avoid cannabis while pregnant. 

Using cannabis while pregnant can: 

• Raise the risk of early birth (preterm birth) 
• Lead to lower birth weight 
• Affect how your baby's brain develops 
• Increases the chances of learning, behavioural, and mental health problems later in life 

Classes & Clinics

CK Public Health has programs and services to help people who are pregnant or raising children. These programs also support their partners and families. 

Visit our Prenatal and Parenting Classes page to learn more and sign up for a session today.