Adults / Seniors

Alcohol / Drugs

Babies / Children

Beauty & Body Art

Cancer

Clinics

Dental Services / Oral Health

Developmental Assets /
Value Every Kid

District Health Profile

Drinking Water

Emergencies / Disasters

Environmental Health Issues

Food Safety

Handwashing

Harm Reduction

Health Care Professionals

Health Equity

Heart Health

Immunization / Vaccines

Infectious Diseases /
Prevention / Control

Injury Prevention

Lyme Disease

Nutrition

Physical Activity

Preconception / Pregnancy

Rabies

Recreational Water

Reports & Newsletters

School

Sewage / Land Control

Sexual Health

Smoking / Tobacco

Sun Safety

Weather

Workplace Health

Preconception

A healthy baby starts before you get pregnant. If you are already pregnant, you've got options. To find out more about your options, visit: www.areyousafe.ca

Top 10 Things to Think About:

1. Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are very common. Get tested!
   
   
2. Reduce alcohol, smoking, and drug use. The safest amount before and during a pregnancy is none at all. The Health Unit has free and confidential services for injection drug users.
   
   
3. Females should take a multivitamin with 0.4-1.0 mg of folic acid to prevent birth defects. Some women may need to take more.
   
   
4. Eat healthy foods and get regular exercise.
   
   
5. Find out about any family history of health problems.
   
   
6. Have the relationships you want, social support, and low stress levels.
   
   • Community Supports - Preconception & Healthy Pregnancy
     
     
7. Get up to date with immunizations. However, it is not recommended to have any live vaccine at least three months prior to pregnancy.
   
   
8. Breathe the cleanest air possible. Second-hand smoke, some beauty products, and other chemicals in the air can be harmful.
   
   
9. Get to know your body and be the healthiest you can be! Some health conditions, if not controlled, could put you/a baby at risk. Some examples of these health conditions are diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, thyroid disease, asthma, STIs, depression and eating disorders.
   
   
10. Visit your healthcare provider with this Preconception Healthcare Visit Checklist, and find out more about what you should know and do before becoming pregnant. For free pregnancy tests, STI testing, immunizations, and much more, visit a Health Unit clinic. Find a clinic near you at www.areyousafe.ca

To learn more about improving your health before or during a pregnancy call the Health Action Line at 1-800-660-5853.

Need support dealing with an addiction?

• Call TriCounty Addiction Services at 1-800-361-6948.
  
  
• For more information on quitting smoking, check out Smoking/Tobacco

Concerned about infertility? Find out more here!

Additional Resources:

Public Health Agency of Canada: Healthy Pregnancy

The Best Start Resource Centre has an excellent web resource for couples planning a pregnancy. If you would like a copy of the printed booklet 'Is there a baby in your future? Plan for it' please call the health unit at 1-800-660-5853.