Planning Pregnancy

You plan so many events. What about planning for pregnancy?

Parenting begins long before your baby is conceived. Babies begin to develop even before a woman knows she is pregnant. This means that the time to prepare for your baby's health is before you even get pregnant.

There are things that both men and women can do to improve the health of their future children.

If you are thinking of starting a family, you can:

Pick up a copy of Planning Ahead for Pregnancy and Parenting: A Practical Guide for those Planning a Pregnancy
Download a list of Websites for women planning pregnancy or already pregnant, and their supporters
Visit the Health Before Pregnancy website
Talk to your health care provider

Ideally, try to begin planning for pregnancy three months in advance.

Tips on How to Prepare

Prepare for Parenthood

To learn more, attend our Preparing for Parenthood program.

Discuss parenthood with your partner before you get pregnant.

Are you and your partner ready for a baby? Ask yourselves the following questions:

Why do we want a baby?
How will children affect our lifestyle?
How will having a baby affect work or career goals?
Can we afford it?
Do we have a supportive relationship?

Adopt a Healthy Lifestyle

Make healthy food choices.
Take folic acid daily before you get pregnant. *
Maintain a healthy weight.
Get active.
Avoid alcohol, smoking and drugs.
Avoid environmental hazards at work and home.
Take time to relax.

*Folic Acid (or Folate), a B vitamin, taken daily before pregnancy and in early pregnancy, can reduce the risk of certain birth defects of the brain and spine. Such problems are known as neural tube defects. If you are planning a pregnancy and have never had a child with a neural tube defect:

Eat a healthy diet that includes foods rich in folic acid: green leafy vegetables, legumes (dried peas, beans and lentils), nuts and seeds, orange juice, whole grain and enriched breads and cereals.
Take a supplement containing 0.4 mg of folic acid every day.
Look for flour, pasta and other enriched grain products to which folic acid has been added.

Consider your Family History & Medical History

Are you 35 years of age or older?
Are you taking any medication?
Do you have any medical concerns?

Have a Medical Check-Up

Are you immune to Rubella, Chicken Pox and other communicable diseases?
Get tested for Sexually Transmitted Infections.
Discuss any medications you are taking.

To talk to a Public Health Nurse about planning a pregnancy, call the Reproductive Health Phone Line at 519-883-2006.

To receive free resources call the Region of Waterloo Public Health Resource Centre or call 519-883-2256.

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