- Child, Youth & Family Health
- Before the Baby is Born
- Baby's First Year
- Preschool (1-3)
- School Age (4-9)
- Youth
- Child Health - General Topics
- Advisories, Warnings and Recalls
- Allergies to Food
- Bonding with Your Child
- Breastfeeding
- Bullying Prevention
- Child Care
- Child Immunization
- Children with Special Needs
- Discipline Your Child
- Family Visitor Program
- Formula Feeding
- Growth Charts
- Head Lice
- Healthy Children Info Line
- Mealtime Struggles and Prevention
- Oral Health
- Positive Parenting
- School Based Programs
- Weaning Baby or Toddler
- Healthy Living & Health Protection
- Advisories, Warnings and Recalls
- Air Quality
- Alcohol & Drug Use
- Alcohol Related Topics
- Drug Related Topics
- Drug Use, Drinking & Driving
- Effects of Alcohol & Drug Use
- Information for Parents & Youth
- Information for Professionals
- Prevention & Treatment Resources
- Pregnancy, Breastfeeding & Substance Use
- Profile of Those Who Drink & Use Drugs
- Safe Party Planning
- Where to Get Help
- Bed Bugs
- Cancer Prevention
- Dental Health
- Domestic Violence
- Emergency Medical Services
- Environmental Health
- Food Safety & Inspection Results
- Infection Control in Institutions
- Infectious Diseases
- Lyme Disease
- Nutrition
- Older Adults
- Physical Activity
- Rabies
- Safety & Injury Prevention
- Sexual Health
- Smoking
- Sun Protection
- Travel Health
- Water Quality
- West Nile Virus
- Clinics, Classes & Events
- Clinics
- Classes & Education
- Building on Your Strengths (B.O.Y.S.)
- CAN-BIKE
- Families & Schools Together (FAST)
- Food Safety Certificate
- Girl Time
- Growing Bodies Open Minds
- Growing Healthy Two-gether
- Me? Breastfeed?
- Nobody's Perfect
- Prenatal Classes for Youth
- Preparing for Parenthood
- Puberty Education Workshops for Teachers
- Routine Universal Comprehensive Screening
- Events & Health Fairs
- Research, Resources & Publications
- Partners & Professionals
Healthy Pregnancy
Learn at a Prenatal Health Fair how a healthy pregnancy helps build a healthy baby.
Public Health programs work with the community to support healthy pregnancies so that all babies have the best possible start in life.
Here you can find useful information and resources regarding healthy lifestyles, pregnancy and work, emotional changes, physical changes, prenatal testing and monitoring, and health care.
You can also check the information from the Promoting Comfortable Pregnancy brochure, or download a list of Websites for women planning pregnancy or already pregnant, and their supporters .
Healthy Lifestyles
Active Living
For information about active living, please contact Reproductive Health at 519-883-2006. The following links may also help you be active:
Active Living: Before, during and after pregnancy
Exercise and Pregnancy Helpline
This hotline answers any question you might have about exercise and pregnancy.
Physical Activity Readiness - Medical Examination for Pregnancy Form
Bring this form to your health care provider to review and ensure you do not have any contraindications prior to exercising in pregnancy.
Physical Activity and Pregnancy DVD
Order the Exercise and Pregnancy DVD here that was developed by a leading researcher at University of Western Ontario - Dr. Michele Mottola.
Healthy Eating & Healthy Weights
Please check the Public Health Agency of Canada for information on grain products, vegetables and fruit, milk products, meat and alternatives, important vitamins and minerals, water, fibre, vegetarian eating, cravings and aversions.
Read more about healthy eating and healthy weights in pregnancy at these links:
Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation during Pregnancy
Healthy Eating and Weight Gain
Alcohol, Drugs / Prescription Drugs & Smoking in Pregnancy
These factors have the potential to complicate pregnancy in many ways. For information about alcohol, drugs and smoking in pregnancy, check these websites:
Alcohol, Nicotine, and Substance Use: Myths and Facts
Alcohol and Pregnancy Don't Mix
A Healthy Beginning: Cigarettes
A Healthy Beginning: How to Avoid Smoke
Is it Safe for My Baby - Methadone
For a nicotine dependency test, online discussion board, common questions, and information on second-hand smoke and how to talk to your doctor, please check the Pregnets website.
Pregnancy & Work
Working during pregnancy does not usually cause problems. Read more about work and pregnancy at the following links:
A Healthy Beginning: Pregnancy and Work
How to Be a Family Friendly Workplace
Occupational and Environmental Exposures
Emotional Changes
In pregnancy you may notice that your feelings change often. These mood swings are normal reactions to all the changes that occur during pregnancy.
For information about emotional changes and emotional health in pregnancy check these links:
Common Questions about Emotional Health
Emotional Changes in Pregnancy
Feelings of the Pregnant Woman
Physical Changes
Pregnancy is a time of change and each pregnancy is different. Many physical changes are possible during pregnancy, including nausea and vomiting, tiredness, breast changes, stuffy nose, heartburn, backache, varicose veins, stretch marks, shortness of breath, going to the bathroom often, vaginal discharge, groin pain, constipation, hemorrhoids, leg cramps and dizzy spells.
Keep in mind that eating healthy and remaining active will help prevent or alleviate some discomfort.
Please check these links to learn about the physical changes in pregnancy:
Prenatal Testing & Monitoring
Blood Type and Genetic Disorders
Glucose Test and Group B Streptococci (GBS) Test
Diagnostic Tests (Fetal Surveillance, Non-Stress Test, Biophysical Profile
Health Care
If you have not had your first prenatal visit, make an appointment with your healthcare provider immediately so you can discuss your pregnancy and get answers to your questions.
For more information about health care in pregnancy, please check these websites:
A Healthy Beginning: The First Prenatal Visit
A Healthy Beginning: Other Prenatal Visits
Healthy Pregnancy Presentation
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