Best Start - Prenatal Education Program

Physical & Emotional Fitness

Pregnancy and Stress

Ling

Good Stress / Bad Stress

Pregnancy Stress

Physical discomfortsPhysical discomfortsHormonal changesHormonal changesHealth of mother & babyHealth of mother & babyCoping with labour & deliveryCoping with labour & deliveryBecoming a parentBecoming a parentChanging relationships Changing relationships Financial concernsFinancial concerns

More Than Mood Swings

Most of the time within the two last weeks...Most of the time within the two last weeks...Have you been sad, depressed or irritable?Have you been sad, depressed or irritable?Have you been unable to enjoy the things you used to Have you been unable to enjoy the things you used to enjoy?enjoy?Have you felt anxious, worried or panicky?Have you felt anxious, worried or panicky?Have you cried more easily?Have you cried more easily?

Have you experienced any recent losses or Have you experienced any recent losses or stressful life events?stressful life events?Do you have a history of depression, anxiety or Do you have a history of depression, anxiety or other mental health challenge?other mental health challenge?

Strategies for Coping

Let’s Get Active!

Pregnant and Active

Key hormones:Key hormones:Human chorionic gonadotropin Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)(hCG)ProgesteroneProgesteroneEstrogenEstrogenRelaxinRelaxinOxytocinOxytocin

Benefits of Active Living

Pregnancy Guidelines

Tips for Exercising Safely

Knowing When to STOP

Vaginal bleedingVaginal bleedingUterine contractionsUterine contractionsPainPainHeadacheHeadacheNauseaNauseaSevere shortness of breathSevere shortness of breathVision changesVision changesDizzinessDizzinessAnything that feels unusual or Anything that feels unusual or uncomfortableuncomfortable

Additional Resources

Health care providerHealth care providerPublic health departmentPublic health departmentPARmed-X for Pregnancy- PARmed-X for Pregnancy- www.csep.cawww.csep.caLocal fitness centresLocal fitness centresPrenatal fitness programsPrenatal fitness programsSOGC- SOGC- www.sogc.org/health/pregnancy_e.aspwww.sogc.org/health/pregnancy_e.aspExercise & Pregnancy Helpline- 1-866-937-7678Exercise & Pregnancy Helpline- 1-866-937-7678

Progressive Relaxation

This Best Start Resource Centre teaching tool This Best Start Resource Centre teaching tool was developed with input from a wide range was developed with input from a wide range

of individuals from these organizationsof individuals from these organizations

This document has been prepared with funds provided by the Government of Ontario

© 2011

www.beststart.org

The information represents the best practice guidelines at the time of publication.

The content is not officially endorsed by the Government of Ontario. Consult your health care provider for information specific to your pregnancy.