Is there a baby in your future?

• We plan for most things in life, work, school, retirement. What about your baby?
• Parenting begins long before your baby is conceived and since 50% of all pregnancies are unplanned, baby’s development is often well under way before mom even realizes she is pregnant.
• If you feel you are ready to start a family, there are many things that both men and women can do to improve the health of their future children.

Tips to help you prepare

• Discussing parenthood with your partner
• Are you both ready to be parents?
• Do you know how much a child will change your life?
• What do you know about raising a child and what costs will be involved?
• Do I/we lead a healthy lifestyle?
• Do I eat healthy meals and snacks?
• Do I have a smoke free home? Are you prepared to make one?
• Do I lead an active lifestyle?
• Do I avoid alcoholic drinks?
• Do I use recreational drugs?
• Have I talked to my health professional about any prescription or over the counter drugs?
• Have I thought about the biological, physical and chemical hazards that surround me or my partner every day (ex: at home or work)?
• Consider both of your family and medical histories
• Do I know my own and my partners health history?
• Have I had a checkup recently?
• Are your immunizations up to date?
• Have I been tested for sexually transmitted diseases?
• Support of Friends and Family
• Do I feel safe physically and emotionally?
• Do I have people to share my feelings with?
• Start taking Folic Acid daily before you get pregnant
• Folic acid or folate (a B vitamin) taken daily before getting pregnant and in early pregnancy can reduce the risk of certain birth defects of the brain and spine - known as neural tube defects. 
• If you are planning a pregnancy and have never had a child with a neural tube defect:
• Eat a healthy diet that includes food rich in folic acid (green leafy vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds, orange juice and whole grain and enriched breads and cereals).
• Take a supplement containing 0.4 mg of folic acid daily.
• Look for flour, pasta and other enriched grain products that have had folic acid added.
• Is it the real thing? Pregnancy confirmation
• When you think you may be pregnant, (if you have a missed period or are experiencing pregnancy symptoms) take a pregnancy test and see your doctor as early as possible.
• Call and book into prenatal classes as soon as your pregnancy is confirmed. Early prenatal classes are for those before 16 weeks of pregnancy.

For more information:

• Call the Reproductive Health Program at the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit - 474-1400 or 1-800-563-2808 to speak to a Public Health Nurse
• Best Start website - www.healthbeforepregnancy.ca   
• Public Health Agency of Canada: Are you Thinking of Becoming Pregnant? http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/hp-gs/think-pense-eng.php