Overview

Even before you get pregnant, you can help make your pregnancy as healthy as possible. Take these steps:

• See a doctor or midwife for an examination. Talk about the medicines and natural health products you take. Discuss any health problems or concerns you have.
• Don't take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) unless your doctor says it's okay. Examples of these are ibuprofen and aspirin. They can raise your risk of miscarriage.
• Take a daily multivitamin or prenatal vitamin. Make sure it has 0.4 mg folic acid. This will lower the chance of having a baby with a birth defect.
• Keep track of your menstrual cycle. This is a good idea for a few reasons. It helps you know the best time to try to get pregnant. And it can help your doctor or midwife figure out when your baby is due and how it is growing.
• Make healthy choices. Eat well. Avoid caffeine, or limit your intake to 300 mg or about 2 cups of coffee or tea each day. Avoid alcohol, cigarettes, cannabis, and illegal drugs. Take only the medicines your doctor or midwife says are okay.
• Get plenty of exercise. A strong body will make pregnancy and birth easier. It will also help you recover after the birth. And exercise can help improve your mood. For women who did not exercise before they became pregnant, the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) recommends gradually accumulating at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity over a minimum of 3 days per week.