Overview

There is no sure way to prevent labour before your due date (preterm labour) or prevent most other pregnancy problems. But there are things you can do to increase your chances of a healthy pregnancy. Go to your appointments, follow your healthcare provider's advice, and take good care of yourself. Listen to your body, rest and sleep as needed, eat well, and exercise (if your healthcare provider agrees). And make sure to drink plenty of water.

How can you care for yourself at home?

• Make sure you go to your prenatal appointments. At each visit, your healthcare provider or midwife will check your blood pressure and weight. Healthy weight gain in pregnancy helps to prevent high blood pressure and diabetes in pregnancy. It also helps the normal growth of your baby. Your healthcare provider or midwife will also listen for a fetal heartbeat and measure the size of the uterus.
• Drink plenty of fluids, mostly water. Dehydration can cause contractions. If you have kidney, heart, or liver disease and have to limit fluids, talk with your healthcare provider or midwife before you increase the amount of fluids you drink.
• Tell your healthcare provider or midwife right away if you notice any symptoms of an infection, such as:
  • Burning when you urinate.
  • A frequent need to urinate without being able to pass much urine.
  • A foul-smelling discharge from your vagina.
  • Vaginal itching.
  • Unexplained fever.
  • Unusual pain or soreness in your uterus or lower belly.
• Avoid foods that may be harmful.
  • Don't eat raw meat, deli meat, raw seafood, or raw eggs.
  • Avoid soft cheese and unpasteurized dairy, like Brie and blue cheese.
  • Avoid fish that are high in mercury. These include fresh or frozen tuna (not canned "light" tuna), shark, swordfish, marlin, orange roughy, and escolar.
  • Limit how much liver and liver products (such as liverwurst or liver sausage) you eat. Liver is high in iron, folate, and vitamin A. Too much vitamin A may cause birth defects. If you eat liver, ask your doctor or midwife about how much is right for you.
  • Limit caffeine to less than 300 mg per day. This is about 2 cups of coffee.
• Do not smoke, use tobacco or tobacco-like substances such as cannabis or vaping. Using these products can harm you and your baby’s health. If you need help quitting, talk to your healthcare provider about stop-smoking programs and medicines, or go to the AlbertaQuits website. These can increase your chances of quitting for good.
• Do not drink alcohol or use illegal drugs. Alcohol affects everyone differently and may be a risk to your health. Alcohol passes through the placenta to your baby and may cause problems with your baby’s growth, health, and development.
• Follow your healthcare provider's or midwife's directions about activity. Your healthcare provider or midwife will let you know how much exercise you can do.
• Ask your healthcare provider or midwife if you can have sex. If you are at risk for early labour, your healthcare provider or midwife may ask you to not have sex.
• Take care to avoid falling. Changes in your body during pregnancy, such as a growing belly, can make you more likely to fall. Sports such as bicycling, skiing, or in-line skating can increase your risk.
• Avoid risky activities like horseback or motorcycle riding, water-skiing, scuba diving, and exercising at a high altitude (above 1,800 metres [6,000 feet]). If you live in a place with a high altitude, talk to your healthcare provider or midwife about how you can exercise safely. For information about activities you can do while pregnant go to Physical activity during pregnancy.
• Avoid things that can make your body too hot and may be harmful to your pregnancy, such as a hot tub or sauna. Or talk with your healthcare provider or midwife before doing anything that raises your body temperature. Your healthcare provider or midwife can tell you if it's safe.
• Do not take any over-the-counter or medicines or natural health products without talking to your healthcare provider, midwife, or pharmacist first.