Planning for Pregnancy

The preconception guide is a planning tool to help you think about your health before pregnancy. It can help you:

• Identify steps that may support a healthy pregnancy.
• Think about your reproductive goals and timing.
• Prepare questions for a health care provider.
• Learn what areas of health may need attention before pregnancy.

You can use this guide whether you are:

• Planning pregnancy now.
• Thinking about pregnancy in the future.
• Unsure about your plans.
• Not planning pregnancy, but want to support your health.

For more information visit Getting Started: Why Health Before Pregnancy Matters.

Learn more about fertility.

Women in Durham Region have several options for how to proceed after having a positive pregnancy test for an unplanned pregnancy. Visit our Pregnancy Options page for more information.

Healthy eating

Your nutritional health, before and during pregnancy, influences the health of your developing baby. That is why it is important to eat well when you are planning for pregnancy.

• Eat a variety of healthy foods each day.
• Choose foods with healthy fats instead of saturated fats.
• Choose fish low in mercury.
• Make water your drink of choice.
• Be mindful of your caffeine intake.
• Maintain a healthy weight - calculate your Body Mass Index (BMI) using your current weight.

More tips for healthy eating

Take folic acid

• Folic acid helps the baby’s spine and brain to develop during the first few weeks of pregnancy, before you may even know you are pregnant.
• Not getting enough folic acid will increase your risk of having a baby with birth defects of the spine and brain.
• If you are planning a pregnancy or are pregnant, you need to take a multivitamin with 0.4 mg of folic acid every day.

Folic acid information

Physical activity

Physical activity is good for both you and your partner before, during and after pregnancy. There are many ways to add physical activity to your daily routine.

Physical activity guidelines

Reducing or stopping the use of alcohol, tobacco, cannabis and drugs can help you grow a healthier baby.

Alcohol

• If you are trying to become pregnant, avoiding alcohol is the safest choice.
• Stopping drinking can protect your fertility and prevent harm to the fetus, which can occur very early in pregnancy before most individuals even know they're pregnant.

Canada’s Guidance on Alcohol and Health

Tobacco and vaping

• Quitting smoking before pregnancy has many benefits for both you and your future baby.
• Tobacco use can decrease both male and female fertility and can increase the risk of pregnancy and birth complications.
• A smoke and vape free environment is best for everyone.

Tobacco and vaping information

Cannabis

Since cannabis was legalized, its use has become more common. If you are trying to become pregnant, stopping cannabis use is the safest choice. Cannabis use by either partner can reduce fertility and can make it harder to get pregnant.

Cannabis information

Mental health

• Everyone feels worried, sad or stressed at times.
• High levels of stress can affect your chance of becoming pregnant.
• Taking care of your emotional health is as important as your physical health.

If you have concerns about your mental health or have been diagnosed with a mental health illness, talk to your health care provider before you become pregnant.

• Mental Health Information
• Mental Health is for Everyone booklet

Healthy relationships

It’s important to have a healthy relationship before starting a family. Abuse can happen to anyone and often starts or becomes worse with a pregnancy.

Help is available

Planning to start a family?

Talk to your health care provider about:

• Medical conditions
• Medications
• Vaccines
• Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

Planning for a pregnancy and having a baby can uniquely impact the mental health and wellbeing of 2SLGBTQ+ people. Navigating the process of assisted reproduction, family planning and pregnancy can be difficult. Everyone should be able to access quality care regardless of their gender identity, gender expression or sexual orientation.

Resources and services:

• Durham Sexual Health Clinic
• Durham Community Health Centre – Gender Care Team
• PFLAG Durham Region
• Sherbourne Health 2SLGBTQ Family Resources
• Providing Inclusive, Affirming and Safer Perinatal Care to 2SLGBTQIA+ Individuals

You are new to Canada, what do you need to know about having a baby here?

Prenatal care, birth practices, and traditions surrounding the birth of a baby differ from country to country and can be quite different in Canada compared to the country you came from.

For more information visit:

• Pregnancy Planning for Newcomers to Canada
• Giving birth in a new land
• Durham Welcome Centre Immigrant Services
• Newcomer Services