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Pregnancy is a time of many changes and many questions. If you think you may be pregnant, take a home pregnancy test or book an appointment to see your family doctor. One of the ways you might know you are pregnant is if you have missed your period. Some other signs of pregnancy are feeling like you are:
- tired or exhausted
- going to vomit (throw up)
- needing to urinate (pee) very often
- having tender, sore or sensitive breasts
If you're pregnant, you could have none or all of these signs. If there is a chance you could be pregnant, or if you have taken a test which says you are, it is important that you see your doctor. Your doctor will do a blood test to make sure you are pregnant and may do an ultrasound to see how far along you are. If you were not planning to get pregnant and are not sure how you feel about it, your doctor can help you decide what to do next.
Medical Care as your Pregnancy Continues
One of the things you need to decide early on is who you will be seeing for the rest of your pregnancy. According to the Ontario Medical Association, after your first prenatal visit you will have check-ups every four weeks until you are 28 weeks along. Between 28 weeks, and 36 weeks, you will have check-ups every two weeks. From 36 weeks until delivery, you will have check-ups every week. Early on in your pregnancy, you will also need to decide what you want to do about prenatal screening:
- "What is prenatal screening?"
- "Is prenatal screening right for me?" (scroll down on page)
- "What are my screening choices?"
Having a Healthy Pregnancy: Frequently Asked Questions
As your pregnancy continues, you may have many questions about how to be as healthy as possible and how to do what is best for you and your baby. Please see the topics below to learn more information.
- Prenatal Classes or Groups (most of the topics below are discussed in prenatal classes or groups)
- Nausea and Vomiting in Pregnancy
- Discomforts of Pregnancy (Month by Month)
- Weight Gain in Pregnancy
- Fetal Development
- Pregnancy Complications
- Maternal Health Conditions and Pregnancy
- Smoking and Pregnancy
- Alcohol and Pregnancy
- Exercise and Pregnancy
- Work and Pregnancy
- Sex During Pregnancy
- Travelling and Pregnancy
- Coping with Stress
- Oral Health and Pregnancy (Dental)
- Depression in Pregnancy
- Fetal Movement (Kick Counts)
- Birth Plan
- Pain Management During Labour
- Preterm Labour
- Breastfeeding
- Car Seat Safety
- Circumcision
Prenatal Information, Help and Support
- Prenatal Classes or Groups - Call Health Connections to learn more or to register (905-546-3550)
- Online Prenatal Program - register for FREE
- Prenatal Home Visiting (Healthy Babies Healthy Children or Nurse Family Partnership programs) - Call Health Connections to learn more or to register (905-546-3550)
- Prenatal phone support (Health Connections): Talk to a Nurse about any questions related to your pregnancy or coming baby (905-546-3550)
- "A Healthy Start for Baby and Me": Free Hamilton Prenatal Book
- "Healthy Pregnancy Guide" from Health Canada
More Prenatal Links
- Prenatal Nutrition Project - City of Hamilton
- Otis Drugs in Pregnancy Patient Fact Sheets (MotherToBaby)
- Best Start Ontario Resources
- Canadian Pediatric Society - Pregnancy and Babies
- Health Canada - Healthy Pregnancy
- Public Health Agency of Canada - Healthy Pregnancy
- SOGC Women's Health Information
- HHS Patient Information "Deciding What to do about your Pregnancy"
- Hamilton Right to Life
- Healthy Eating for a Healthy Baby
- Pregnant & Smoking? You are not alone!
- OMama - Born; Also available as an app