Couple sitting on a couch looking at a tablet

Skip to Content

North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit Logo North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit Logo Print

Contact Us
  • Public Health
    Services
    • Breastfeeding Clinic
    • Community Events and Farmers Markets
    • Dental Clinic
    • Flu Shot
    • Food Safety Certification Training
    • Healthy Babies, Healthy Children
    • Infection Prevention and Control Investigations
    • Inspection Results and Enforcement
    • Needle Syringe Program
    • Parenting Workshops
    • Prenatal Classes
    • Private Drinking Water Testing
    • The Sexual Health Clinic
    • Vaccination Clinics
    • Vaccination Records
    • Vision Screening
  • Health
    Topics
    • Air Quality
    • Alcohol
    • Animal Bites
    • Beach, Lake and Pool Water
    • Breastfeeding
    • Cancer Prevention and Screening
    • Climate Change
    • Dental Health
    • Diseases
    • Drinking Water
    • Emergencies and Being Prepared
    • Flu/Influenza
    • Food Poisoning
    • Food Safety
    • Gambling
    • Healthy Aging
    • Healthy Eating
    • Home Health and Safety
    • Housing and Homelessness
    • Injury Prevention
    • Intimate Partner Violence
    • 2SLGBTQ+
    • Mental Health
    • Naloxone
    • Parenting
    • Perfluoroalkylated Substances (PFAS)
    • Physical Activity
    • Preconception and Pregnancy
    • Prenatal Resources
    • Racism
    • Reducing Weight Bias
    • Sexual Health
    • Sharps
    • Smoking, Vaping and Tobacco
    • Substance Use
    • Suicide Prevention
    • Vaccinations
    • Youth Engagement – IMPACT
  • Health Professionals
    and Partners
    • Camp Providers
    • Child Cares
    • COVID-19 Healthcare Providers, Hospitals and Long-Term Care
    • Designated Officers
    • Emergency Management
    • Group Home and Shelter Administrators
    • Health Care Professionals
    • Health Care Providers COVID-19 Vaccine Information
    • Long-Term Care and Retirement Homes
    • Municipal Resources
    • Nutrition Resources
    • Ontario Naloxone Program (ONP) Distributing Agencies and First Responders
    • Report an Overdose
    • Schools
    • Teaching Kitchen
  • Community Data
    and Reports
    • Chronic Diseases
    • Environmental Health
    • Health Behaviours
    • Housing and Homelessness
    • Indirect Impacts of COVID-19
    • Infectious Diseases
    • Injuries
    • Mortality
    • Nipissing Parry Sound Public Health Atlas
    • Oral Health
    • Population Demographics
    • Reproductive and Child Health
    • Substance Use
    • Well-being and Mental Health
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Accessibility
    • Board of Health
    • Careers and Placements
    • Contact Us
    • News and Events
    • Personal Health Privacy Policy
    • Programs and Services
    • RFPs and Tenders
Search Button

Back To Top

Preconception Health

HomeHealth TopicsSexual HealthPreconception Health
  • Open new window to share this page via Facebook Facebook
  • Open new window to share this page via Twitter Twitter
  • Open new window to share this page via LinkedIn LinkedIn
  • Email this page Email

You plan for many events like school, weddings, holidays, but what about having a baby? Did you know that 50% of pregnancies are unplanned? You decide whether to have children or not.

What to consider if you're thinking about having a child:

Alcohol 

High levels of alcohol use and binge drinking can have serious effects on your baby such as fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). FASD babies can have:
  • Small heads and slower growth
  • Abnormalities of the face
  • Learning and behavioural problems such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and learning problems

Alcohol can affect your baby in the early stages of growth, even before you know you are pregnant. There is no safe amount of alcohol use during pregnancy. Men who drink alcohol have a greater chance of a lower sperm count.

For more information, visit our alcohol page. Speak with your health care provider if you need help controlling alcohol use.

Smoking

Both partners should quit smoking before pregnancy to increase chances of conception as well as to be healthy and risk free. Smoking and second hand smoke can:
  • Lower a male's sperm count
  • Decrease a female's fertility
  • Increase the risk for miscarriage, premature births,
  • Increase the risk of labour and delivery complications

Medications

Medications that are known to cause harm will do so within the first few weeks of pregnancy, when the baby's major body systems are forming, and often before you know you are pregnant. If you are taking a medication that is known to be damaging to babies, you may need to switch to a medication that is safer but still right for you. 

It is important to discuss with your doctor the risks of medications that you are taking.

Nutrition

Eating well before you become pregnant will help prepare your body to meet the dietary needs of your developing baby when you do conceive. The recommended number of servings per day for females aged 19-50 are as follows:
  • 7-8 servings of vegetables and fruit
  • 6-7 servings of grain products
  • 2 servings of milk and alternatives
  • 2 servings of meat and alternatives

The recommended number of servings per day for males aged 19-50 are as follows:

  • 8 - 10 servings of vegetables and fruit
  • 8 servings of grain products
  • 2 servings of milk and alternatives
  • 3 servings of meat and alternatives

Add for more information, visit unlockfood.ca.

Folic acid

Folic acid (vitamin B9) helps grow and protect cells in your body. Folic acid before conception and during pregnancy decreases the risk of birth defects such as neural tube defects, heart and limb defects, urinary tract anomalies and oral facial clefts. Folate (natural source of folic acid) is found in dark green, leafy vegetables, citrus fruit, whole grains, and other foods. To increase your intake of folate, be sure to eat the following foods:
  • Fortified grains
  • Spinach
  • Lentils
  • Chickpeas
  • Asparagus
  • Broccoli
  • Peas
  • Brussels sprouts
  • Corn
  • Oranges
  • Folic acid is also included in most multivitamins

Exercise

Exercise decreases the risks that stem from obesity during pregnancy which can include: gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, pre-eclampsia, postpartum hemorrhage, miscarriage, still birth, caesarean section, and neural tube defects in the infant. Women who are fit before pregnancy have fewer aches and pains and more energy during their pregnancy. Being active on a regular basis by doing activities such as brisk walking, swimming, or yoga will make a difference to weight management and general well-being.

Vaccinations 

 There are a lot of things to keep in mind when you're considering pregnancy, and one of those should be to make sure your vaccines are up-to-date before becoming pregnant. Some infections, such as rubella, can cause complications and harm to your baby if contracted during pregnancy. Your vaccines must be completed three months before becoming pregnant, as vaccines that are live virus (measles, mumps and rubella, for example) can be harmful if received while pregnant.

Street drugs 

Street drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, and inhalants are dangerous for you and for your future child. They can affect your energy, motivation, judgment, appetite, sleeping patterns, memory, and mental health. Addictions take time to overcome and it may not be possible to quit using drugs if you become pregnant. If street drugs are taken during a pregnancy, there are risks for the baby such as addiction and withdrawal, brain damage, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), and low birth weight.

Sexually transmitted infections

Some sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can be cured and some cannot. Herpes, Hepatitis B, and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) are STIs that cannot be cured and can be transferred to the baby during pregnancy and birth. Chlamydia, gonorrhea, bacterial vaginosis, and syphilis are STIs that can be transferred to the baby during birth but can also can be cured if treated.

 

You can reduce the risk of getting an STI by avoiding these high-risk situations:

  • Having many partners
  • Not using condoms during sexual contact
  • Having anal sex without condoms
  • Injecting or using street drugs
  • Sharing needles

Symptoms of an STI are not always visible, so it is important to use condoms, limit the number of sexual partners, and ask new partners about their sexual history. If you have an STI and become pregnant, or get one while pregnant, talk to your health provider.

Additional resources

  • Your Journey Starts Here. The facts on pregnancy and childbirth from Canada's experts.
  • Healthy Baby, Healthy Brain
  • Unlockfood.ca

What to consider if you're not planning on having a baby:

Are you currently using birth control? If not, remember you are at risk of getting pregnant, as well as risking a sexually transmitted infection. 

Find a birth control method that is right for you and your partner. Visit us at the sexual health clinic to speak with a public health nurse, or visit your health care provider. Be honest and ask lots of questions. The Clinic is 100% confidential.

 

Health Topics
    • Air Quality
    • Alcohol
    • Animal Bites
      Toggle Section Animal Bites Menu
      • Rabies
    • Beach, Lake and Pool Water
      Toggle Section Beach, Lake and Pool Water Menu
      • Beaches
      • Public Spas, Pools and Hot Tubs
      • Harmful Algae Blooms
      • Swimmer's Itch
    • Breastfeeding
      Toggle Section Breastfeeding Menu
      • Using a Breastmilk Substitute
    • Cancer Prevention and Screening
      Toggle Section Cancer Prevention and Screening Menu
      • Sun Safety
    • Climate Change
    • Dental Health
      Toggle Section Dental Health Menu
      • Caring for Your Child's Teeth
      • Dental First Aid
      • Early Childhood Tooth Decay
      • School Screening Program
      • Water Fluoridation
    • Diseases
      Toggle Section Diseases Menu
      • Coronavirus (COVID-19)
        Toggle Section Coronavirus (COVID-19) Menu
        • Business and Workplaces
          Toggle Section Business and Workplaces Menu
          • Face Coverings and PPE
          • Signs and Screening Tools
        • COVID-19: What to do if Symptomatic, Positive or Exposed
        • COVID-19 Testing
        • COVID-19 Vaccine
        • Écoles/services de garde d'enfants et la COVID-19
        • Schools/Child Cares and COVID-19
      • Flu/Influenza
        Toggle Section Flu/Influenza Menu
        • About the Flu Shot
      • Hepatitis A
      • iGAS or Invasive Group A Strep
      • Lyme Disease
      • Measles
      • Monkeypox
      • Mumps
      • Shingles
      • Tuberculosis
      • West Nile Virus
      • Whooping Cough (Pertussis)
        Toggle Section Whooping Cough (Pertussis) Menu
        • Coqueluche - Foire aux questions
    • Drinking Water
      Toggle Section Drinking Water Menu
      • Lead
    • Emergencies and Being Prepared
      Toggle Section Emergencies and Being Prepared Menu
      • Cleaning up after a Flood
      • Drinking Water Disinfection Instruction
      • Emergency Kits
      • Food and Water Safety for Power Outages
    • Flu/Influenza
    • Food Poisoning
      Toggle Section Food Poisoning Menu
      • Farm Fresh Eggs Safety
    • Food Safety
    • Gambling
    • Healthy Aging
      Toggle Section Healthy Aging Menu
      • Age-Friendly Communities
      • Call-in and Online Activity Groups for Older Adults
    • Healthy Eating
      Toggle Section Healthy Eating Menu
      • Community Groups & School Programs
      • Cooking and Food Skills
        Toggle Section Cooking and Food Skills Menu
        • Freezing Fruit and Vegetables
      • Find a Registered Dietitian
      • Food and the Environment
      • Food Insecurity
      • Get Cooking
      • Healthy Food for Life
        Toggle Section Healthy Food for Life Menu
        • Nutrition During Pregnancy
        • Feeding Your Baby
        • Feeding Your Preschooler
        • Feeding Your School-Aged Child
        • Nutrition for Older Adults
      • Healthy Recipes
        Toggle Section Healthy Recipes Menu
        • A Cut Above the Roast
      • Northern Fruit and Vegetable Program
    • Home Health and Safety
    • Housing and Homelessness
      Toggle Section Housing and Homelessness Menu
      • Homelessness Factors
      • Housing is a Health Issue and a Human Right
      • Homelessness Prevention
      • Local Services to Address Homelessness
      • Stigma and its Impacts
    • Injury Prevention
      Toggle Section Injury Prevention Menu
      • Concussions
      • Helmets
    • Intimate Partner Violence
    • 2SLGBTQ+
      Toggle Section 2SLGBTQ+ Menu
      • Committing to 2SLGBTQ+ Equity
      • Homophobia
      • Pronouns
      • Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression
      • When Someone Comes Out
      • Youth and Teens
      • Positive Spaces and Other Training
      • Resources
    • Mental Health
      Toggle Section Mental Health Menu
      • 5 Ways to Well-being
        Toggle Section 5 Ways to Well-being Menu
        • Be Active
        • Connect
        • Give
        • Keep Learning
        • Take Notice
      • Mental Health Services
      • Postpartum Mood Disorders
    • Naloxone
      Toggle Section Naloxone Menu
      • Naloxone Training FAQ
    • Parenting
      Toggle Section Parenting Menu
      • New Parent Resources
      • Parenting During COVID-19
    • Perfluoroalkylated Substances (PFAS)
    • Physical Activity
      Toggle Section Physical Activity Menu
      • Active Transportation
      • Physical Activity Resources
        Toggle Section Physical Activity Resources Menu
        • Exercise Class Schedule
        • Virtual Exercise Classes
    • Preconception and Pregnancy
    • Prenatal Resources
    • Racism
    • Reducing Weight Bias
      Toggle Section Reducing Weight Bias Menu
      • Body Positivity
    • Sexual Health
      Toggle Section Sexual Health Menu
      • Birth Control
      • Men’s Sexual Health (Guys into Guys)
        Toggle Section Men’s Sexual Health (Guys into Guys) Menu
        • Santé sexuelle chez les hommes : pour les hommes qui aiment les hommes
      • Preconception Health
      • Pregnancy Testing and Options
      • PrEP
      • Sex After Having a Baby
      • Sexually Transmitted Infections
      • Sex & COVID-19
    • Sharps
      Toggle Section Sharps Menu
      • Safe Sharps Handling and Disposal
    • Smoking, Vaping and Tobacco
      Toggle Section Smoking, Vaping and Tobacco Menu
      • Quit Smoking
      • Arrêter de fumer ou de vapoter
      • Smoke-Free Spaces and the Law
      • Vaping and E-cigarettes
      • Vapotage et cigarettes électroniques
    • Substance Use
      Toggle Section Substance Use Menu
      • Cannabis
      • Drug-Related Stigma
        Toggle Section Drug-Related Stigma Menu
        • Let's work together to: Stop the shame. Stop the blame. Stop the stigma.
      • Healthy High - Risk-Taking Can Be Healthy
      • Methamphetamine Use
      • Opioids
      • Social Determinants of Health
    • Suicide Prevention
    • Vaccinations
      Toggle Section Vaccinations Menu
      • Adult Information
      • Child Care Information
        Toggle Section Child Care Information Menu
        • Vaccination Information for Parents
      • COVID-19 Vaccines
        Toggle Section COVID-19 Vaccines Menu
        • COVID-19 Vaccine & Vaccination Frequently Asked Questions
        • COVID-19 Vaccine: Information for Parents and Caregivers
      • Hepatitis B Vaccine Information
        Toggle Section Hepatitis B Vaccine Information Menu
        • Informations sur le vaccin de l'hépatite B
      • Meningococcal Disease Vaccine Information
        Toggle Section Meningococcal Disease Vaccine Information Menu
        • Informations sur le vaccin contre la méningococcie
      • Publicly Funded Immunization Schedule
      • School Information
        Toggle Section School Information Menu
        • Informed Consent
        • Consentement éclairé
      • TB Testing
      • Tetanus, Diphtheria and Whooping Cough Vaccine Information
      • The Law, Exemptions, Suspensions and Exclusions
        Toggle Section The Law, Exemptions, Suspensions and Exclusions Menu
        • Suspension Process
    • Youth Engagement – IMPACT

Contact Us

Subscribe to this page

North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit Footer Logo

  • Website

    • About Us
    • Employment Opportunities
    • News
  • Links

    • Accessibility
    • Privacy
    • Sitemap
    • Feedback Form
  • Resources

    Increase Contrast

Your lifetime partner in healthy living!

Copyright 2022 North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit

By GHD Digital

Browser Compatibility Notification

It appears you are trying to access this site using an outdated browser. As a result, parts of the site may not function properly for you. We recommend updating your browser to its most recent version at your earliest convenience.