Cigarettes have some harmful effects on baby and should be avoided. This is easier said than done. If you do smoke and want help to stop, be sure to talk to your doctor about it. Nicotine replacement products are safe in pregnancy when used under doctor supervision. E-Cigarettes have not been studied in pregnancy. If you current use one or are thinking about starting, please talk to your doctor first and be sure you know what is going into the vapourizer.
Very few drugs have been studied in pregnancy so it is always best to check with a doctor or pharmacist. This website, MotherToBaby, from The United States, has factsheets for parents that answer frequently asked questions about exposures during pregnancy and breastfeeding. As a general rule it is okay to take the occasional Tylenol (acetaminophen) but use Advil (ibuprofen) with caution and not after 30 weeks.
Most women can work until close to their due date. Depending on your type of job we may need to make some modifications to your duties if you are able to. Some medical conditions that develop in pregnancy may require that you go off work before baby comes. Take some time to look into what medial benefits and maternity leave benefits are available to you at work and through Service Canada.
Anything you did prior to becoming pregnant can be continued. Exercise is actually very beneficial and may reduce the length of your labour and your pain in labour. As you get a bit larger some things will be more difficult and may require modifications. Swimming is a very safe and excellent choice when pregnant.
Most foods are fine in pregnancy in moderation. Foods that often get asked about are tuna, deli meat, soft cheese and of course sushi. As a general rule, sushi is safe as long as you avoid raw fish. A can of tuna per week, the occasional sandwich with lunch meat, and the occasional unpasteurized cheese is otherwise fine in pregnancy. Regarding alcohol, we don’t know what amount is safe in pregnancy, so it is best to avoid it. There are a lot of non-alcoholic options out there now.
Comfort measures may ease labor pain directly or indirectly by soothing and relaxing you. Here are some examples: Create a calm environment: Dim lights, peaceful surroundings, soft music, privacy and warmth. Increase physical comfort: Walking, slow dancing with a partner, pelvic rocking, positioning pillows for comfort, sitting and swaying on birth ball (a large physiotherapy ball), lifting up the abdomen and/or rocking in a rocking chair. Walking with a Partner Walking with a Doula Slow Dancing Rocking on a Birth Ball Kneeling and Resting on a Birth Ball [...]
Hi, new mom. Like you, I had to make the difficult decision whether to feed my baby formula. I really wanted to nurse, but there were complications with my supply and I chose to switch to formula after a lot of discussions and a lot of tears. I was sad, disappointed, frustrated and felt like I was letting my baby down. I was also totally overwhelmed with all the options including brands, liquid versus powder, bottle styles, nipple sizes, how to prepare formula and properly sterilize bottles. And feeding formula can be expensive! Below are some great links to help with [...]
Breast Feeding, A New Mom's Story. When my son was born, he had difficulty latching to my breast. I was lucky to have the guidance of my midwives who recommended that I see a lactation consultant right away. Even with this help, my baby's latching issue continued for a few weeks until he was diagnosed with a tongue tie and I was diagnosed with inverted nipples. After researching about tongue tie releases and discussing with my midwives and doctor, my husband and I decided to go ahead with the procedure. It was a really hard decision, but I felt strongly about [...]
Most people think that having a baby is all excitement and endless joy, but for so many women a variety of other feelings may also be present. Postpartum depression and anxiety is an issue for approximately 1 in 6 to 1 in 8 women. The symptoms they experience may present during pregnancy or after the baby has arrived. Symptoms of perinatal depression and anxiety can include physical symptoms, thoughts, feelings, or be seen in the woman’s behaviours. Some examples of the most common symptoms are listed below: thoughts of feeling like a bad mother or thoughts that she is not [...]
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