Acknowledgements vii
Foreword ix
About the SOGC and the authors x
Chapter One Planning a healthy pregnancy 1
It all begins with an egg 3
How your body supports new life 4
Visit your health care provider before you get pregnant 5
Learn about pregnancy 6
Pregnancy and the environment 8
Your medical history 10
Are you at your healthy weight? 10
Medicines and pregnancy 12
Immunizations and infections 13
Lifestyle and sexual history 13
If you have been pregnant before 14
Keep track of your monthly cycle 15
What if I am using the pill, the patch, or the ring? 16
What about other forms of birth control? 16
Let's talk about nutrition 17
Guidelines from Health Canada 22
Foods to limit or avoid during pregnancy 23
Other important nutrients 25
Nutrition tracking 32
Vegetarian diets 33
Exercise 33
Workplace 34
Smoking 34
Alcohol 36
Cannabis 37
Other drugs 38
My pregnancy journal 39
Chapter Two Off to a great start: the first trimester 41
Your changing body 43
Your growing baby 44
Choosing a health care provider 44
How often should I expect to visit my health care provider? 45
Your first prenatal visit 46
About weight gain 46
About vitamin supplements 48
Discussing your pregnancy 49
Our heritage and our health 50
You are expecting twins . . . or more! 51
Prenatal classes and preparing for birth 51
Travel during pregnancy 52
Sex during pregnancy 54
Exercise during pregnancy 55
Rules to follow when you exercise 57
Kegel exercises strengthen your core and pelvic floor muscles 59
What are these tests for? 59
Genetic screening 61
Tests that check your baby's health before birth 62
Infectious diseases to be aware of in pregnancy 67
About dental health 71
Common discomforts in early pregnancy 71
Diabetes 76
Your emotions during pregnancy 78
Abuse during pregnancy 80
Miscarriages do happen 82
My pregnancy journal 84
Chapter Three Gentle growth: the second trimester 87
Your changing body 89
Your growing baby 90
About fetal movement 91
Weight gain during the second trimester 91
About work 91
Common discomforts during the second trimester 92
When there are complications in the second trimester 96
Preterm labour 99
Labour and checking for preterm labour 102
Preterm babies 102
My pregnancy journal 104
Chapter Four The home stretch: the third trimester 107
Your changing body 109
Your growing baby 110
Your prenatal care 110
When there are complications in the third trimester 112
What to expect during labour and birth 114
Writing your birth plan 116
Common things included in a birth plan 117
Feeding your baby 124
Breastfeeding-the natural and healthy way to feed your baby 126
Breastfeeding myths-true and false 127
My pregnancy journal 131
My pregnancy journal 132
Chapter Five Getting ready for baby's birth 135
Your changing body 136
Your baby at full term 137
Common discomforts in late pregnancy 138
Overdue babies 139
My pregnancy journal 142
Chapter Six Your time is here 145
When labour begins 146
The importance of labour support 148
The stages of labour 150
The first stage of labour 150
Medication-free ways to make labour easier 153
Special Breathing 153
Body positions during labour and birth 158
Hydrotherapy 159
Using your voice during labour 160
Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS) 160
Using medication for pain relief 161
The second stage of labour 162
Making room for the birth 164
The third stage of labour 165
After the birth 166
The fourth stage of labour 167
Bonding with your baby 167
Apgar score 168
Medical help during labour and birth 169
Postpartum hemorrhage 174
How long will you stay in hospital or birthing centre? 174
If things do not happen as you planned . . . 176
Saying goodbye to a baby 177
My baby's journal 179
Chapter Seven Taking care of yourself 181
Your changing body after the birth 182
The baby blues 183
Normal vaginal discharge 184
Having sex again 185
Common discomforts after giving birth 186
Your body shape after pregnancy 189
Menstrual periods 190
Birth control choices 190
If you have completed your family-sterilization 194
My personal journal 195
Chapter Eight Taking care of your newborn 197
First impressions of your baby 198
How to handle your baby safely 199
What to expect at your baby's first check-up 204
Getting your baby immunized 205
Vaccination questions and answers 207
Jaundice (yellowish skin and eyes) 207
Circumcision 209
Newborn care 211
Sleeping in a safe environment 218
Feeding your baby 219
Breastfeeding 220
Breastfeeding positions 222
How to get started 224
Breastfeeding tips 226
Expressing breast milk 227
Common breastfeeding problems 228
Spitting up (reflux) 232
Why babies cry 233
What about soothers (pacifiers)? 236
Parenting classes 237
Chapter Nine Finding help 239
Key resources and services 240
Other reading 249
Labour action list 251
Index 255
