Pregnancy

Being physically active is good for both you and your baby.

Being active can:

• Help you gain the right amount of weight.
• Make you feel good.
• Help you relax and feel less stressed.
• Help you sleep better.
• Give you more energy.
• Help make your labour, birth and recovery easier.

If you have not been physically active before, it's not too late to start. Talk to your health care provider before changing or beginning any physical activity routine.

• Check out the healthy pregnancy guide from Health Canada.
• Read about exercise in pregnancy.

Eating healthy food when you are pregnant will support the growth of your baby. Healthy eating also makes you feel better. It will give you energy and will help you gain a healthy amount of weight.

You can find out more about nutrition and healthy weight gain from our Healthy Eating for a Healthy Baby resource.

Smoke-free pregnancy

Smoking can cause your baby to be born too small or too early. Premature babies can have more health problems and can trouble eating or sleeping. A smoke-free home is the best environment.

If you are pregnant, try to stop smoking. If you cannot quit, try to smoke less. Quitting smoking is not easy. It is important to get help and support. Talk to your health care provider.

Second-hand smoke (the smoke you breathe if someone else smokes) is harmful. If your partner or friends are smoking, ask them to smoke outside.

If you are thinking of quitting smoking, remember:

• It's easier to quit if people around you do not smoke.
• Quitting smoking early in pregnancy can help your baby grow.
• It's never too late to quit.
• Help is available.

For more information, read smoking during pregnancy. You can read more about making your home smoke-free by reading your child is worth it.

Additional resources

• Smokers' Helpline 1-877-513-5333.
• Health Canada go smoke free.

There is no safe time, amount or type of alcohol to drink during pregnancy.

Your baby's brain and body are growing throughout pregnancy. It needs the healthiest environment possible. Talk to your health care provider about alcohol during pregnancy.

Read our alcohol in pregnancy information.

Substance use

It is important to take care of yourself and stay as healthy as possible during pregnancy.

Using substances such as marijuana, opiates or tobacco while you are pregnant can be harmful to you and your baby. Talk to your health care provider about any substances you are using during pregnancy.

For more information, visit substance use in pregnancy

Physical changes to your body

It is normal to experience many changes during pregnancy while your baby grows. Your relationship with others will also change. This includes your partner, your family and your friends.

Hormones cause changes you will feel during pregnancy. Many changes will go away after you have your baby.

Physical changes during pregnancy may include:

• Sore back.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Constipation.
• Heartburn.
• Hemorrhoids.
• Going to the bathroom frequently.
• Feeling tired.
• Increase in appetite.
• Tender breasts.
• Increased discharge from your vagina.

To help cope with these changes you can:

• Rest as much as possible.
• Ask for and accept help from family and friends.
• Eat small amounts of healthy food throughout the day.
• Avoid wearing tight clothes.
• Stay physically active.
• Wear supportive shoes that are comfortable.
• Use extra pillows in bed.
• Talk to your health care provider about any of your concerns.

Nausea and vomiting

Many women will have nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. It often starts in the early weeks then goes away. For some women, it does not go away.

Nausea and vomiting are not usually harmful for you or your baby.

Tips for nausea and vomiting

• Get up slowly from bed.
• Eat a few crackers when you wake up in the morning.
• Do not lie down right after eating.
• Eat small meals or snacks to make sure your stomach is not empty.
• Avoid spicy, fatty or fried foods.
• Eat cold food instead of hot food. Cold food does not smell as strongly.
• If cooking smells bother you, open a window while cooking. Or ask someone else to cook for you.
• Try sniffing lemons or ginger. This may help settle your stomach.
• Sip small amounts of fluids throughout the day.
• Get plenty of rest; nausea is usually worse when you are really tired.
• Get some fresh air.
• If your prenatal vitamins make your nausea worse, you can try taking them with food or just before bed. If you cannot take them at all, talk to your health care provider or pharmacist.

If you are having a lot of nausea and vomiting, you can also read tips to help you feel better during pregnancy.

Remember to talk to your health care provider before taking any medications to help you cope with nausea and vomiting.

Emotional changes

During pregnancy, it is normal to have many feelings and emotions.

Normal feelings can include:

• Excitement about having a baby.
• Feeling like the pregnancy is not really happening; especially in the first few weeks.
• Less or more interest in sex.
• Being worried that something is wrong with the baby.
• Being worried about labour and birth.
• Feeling lonely or isolated.
• Being tired and uncomfortable.
• Being unsure about having a baby, especially if the pregnancy was not planned.

Take care of yourself by:

• Taking time to relax.
• Getting enough sleep.
• Accepting help.
• Eating a healthy diet.
• Being physically active.
• Building a support network.
• Seeing your health care provider regularly.

While these feelings are normal, there are some feelings that might be symptoms of depression or anxiety during pregnancy.

Women who experience depression during pregnancy are sad and have less interest in things they usually enjoy. Other women may feel anxious. 

You are not alone. There is help. You will get better.

Some feelings that women may have include:

• Anxiety and worry.
• Guilt.
• Feeling alone.
• Panic.
• Anger and irritability.
• Hopelessness.
• Having no energy.
• Not being able to concentrate.
• Sleeping too much or too little.

Talk to your doctor or health care provider if you have any of these concerns. If you feel symptoms like these or others for more than two weeks, it is very important to talk to your health care provider.

You can learn more about Perinatal Mood Disorders.

Working during pregnancy

It is generally safe to work while pregnant.

Does your work involve any of the following?

• Heavy lifting, pushing or carrying.
• Sitting for long periods of time.
• Chemicals.
• Radiation.
• Loud noise.
• Extreme heat.
• Exposure to infectious diseases.
• High levels of stress.

If you answered yes to any of the above questions or if you have questions about your work setting, talk to your health care provider for advice.

Where can I get more information?

• Talk to your employer.
• Contact the Ontario Human Rights Commission at 1-800-387-9080 if you have questions about your rights during pregnancy.

Infections in pregnancy

Some infections, even when they are mild, can affect your health during pregnancy.

For more information, visit infections in pregnancy