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Pregnancy

HomeHealth TopicsPregnancy
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Wise lady at desk with toy blocks, waving.

Nurses with parenting experience, at your fingertips.

It takes a village to raise a child.

Make us part of your village.

Learn more

 

Prenatal Classes

The Health Unit is pleased to offer online prenatal classes. Our prenatal class series is focused on the health of you, your baby, and your family.

Healthy Pregnancy

The Sensible Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy

This brochure has important facts and questions related to a healthy pregnancy. The second half is a 10 month calendar to help you keep track of which week of pregnancy you are in.

Labour and Birth Information

Your Guide to Labour and Birth

Preterm Labour

Preterm Labour Signs and Symptoms

Through the Best Start Sources Centre website, learn about the signs of preterm labour and what to do if it happens from the Best Start Resource Centre.

Work and Pregnancy

Work and Pregnancy Do Mix

Most women continue to work during their pregnancy, whether they work from home, or travel to a workplace. If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, this brochure by the Best Start Resource Centre will help you think about how your work may affect your health and the health of your unborn baby.

Active Pregnancy

Pregnancy doesn't have to stop you from being active. 

This brochure, by PARC Physical Activity Resource Centre, discusses recommended physical activity during pregnancy.

Breastfeeding Your Baby

Breastfeeding Matters

An important guide to breastfeeding for women and their families. 

For additional information on Breastfeeding.

Caring for Your Mental Health

Your Guide to Postpartum

Bringing home a new baby can be exciting, but can also be overwhelming. It is helpful to understand the differences between the postpartum mood disorders and to know what to do if they happen.

Mental Health of Postpartum Families

Car Seat Safety - How to install

Rear-facing Car Seats

Transport Canada's brochure provides tips on properly installing a rear-facing seat.

Smoking Cessation Support

Smokers' Helpline

Smokers’ Helpline is a free, confidential service offering support and information about quitting smoking and tobacco use.

COVID-19 Vaccination Before and During Pregnancy, and While Breastfeeding

Reach out to your primary health care provider, midwife or OB/GYN to discuss your questions or concerns about receiving the COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Safe and effective

  • The vaccines are highly effective in preventing COVID-19 infection and protecting against severe illness.

  • Research has shown that the risks /consequences of getting COVID-19 and having severe illness from COVID-19 during pregnancy are significant, whereas vaccination before/ during pregnancy has no impact on adverse birth outcomes.

Before Pregnancy

  • There is no current evidence that COVID-19 vaccination affects fertility.

  • Fertility treatment is not a medical reason that prevents you from receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.

  • Several studies show there is no impact of COVID-19 vaccination prior to pregnancy or on the risk of miscarriage or any adverse pregnancy outcome.

For additional information:

Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada Statement on COVID-19 Vaccination in Pregnancy 

During Pregnancy

Deciding to get vaccinated is often challenging - even more so when you’re pregnant and hope to make the best decisions for yourself and your baby.

Check out this video discussing the benefits of vaccines and the risks associated with COVID-19 during pregnancy with Dr. Stephen Morris. He is an Obstetrician-Gynecologist with Health Sciences North:

  

  • Being pregnant increases the risk of having severe illness and hospitalization from COVID-19. This includes both maternal health issues and pregnancy complications.
  • Pregnant individuals can be vaccinated against COVID-19 at any time during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
  • The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommends a complete two- dose vaccine series with an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, such as Moderna or Pfizer, for pregnant and breastfeeding individuals.
  • The Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada (SOGC) state that all pregnant people in Canada should be offered COVID-19 vaccination at any time during pregnancy, or while breastfeeding (unless the person has symptoms, allergies or medical implications that would suggest otherwise).
  • Vaccination immediately before and/or during pregnancy has no impact on pregnancy outcomes (i.e., no change in the rate of miscarriage, preterm birth, stillbirth, growth restriction, high blood pressure during pregnancy, medical complications of pregnancy or death).
  • Partner and family want to help? Individuals that will be in close contact with the pregnant person or baby are encouraged to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to protect mom and baby.

While Breastfeeding

  • COVID-19 vaccines can also be safely given to people who are breastfeeding.
  • Receiving a COVID-19 vaccine while breastfeeding should not disrupt your breastfeeding and does not have an adverse impact on your baby.
  • The vaccine itself is not detectable in breastmilk.
  • Antibodies to COVID-19 have been shown to pass in breastmilk after maternal vaccination and may protect your baby against COVID-19.
  • We continue to recommend breastfeeding whenever possible.
  • It has many health benefits and offers the most protection against infection and illness throughout infancy and childhood.
  • Breastfeeding can provide important nutrition for your baby.
  • Breastmilk is not known to transmit the COVID-19 virus.
Pregnant individual eating fruit salad
Nutrition and Pregnancy

Healthy eating is important for a healthy pregnancy.

Learn more
Couple and toddler meeting with someone in living room
Let us come to you.

Learn about our Healthy Babies, Healthy Children program.

Learn more

We're here to help expecting parents. If you would like to speak to a Public Health Nurse, call us at 705-474-1400 ext 5351or email healthy.families@healthunit.ca. 

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