Drugs and Medications during Pregnancy

Drugs such as marijuana, heroin, crack/cocaine, LSD, and other street drugs are not safe to use when you are pregnant. They could harm both you and your baby.

Babies born to mothers who take drugs may:

• Be born too soon and too small. 
• Have medical problems. 
• Go through drug withdrawal. 
• Have problems learning.

What you can do:

• Do not use street drugs during pregnancy. 
• Talk to your health care provider and ask about programs to help you quit. It is important to let your health care provider know if you are taking any medications or herbal products during your pregnancy. 
• Prescribed medications, over-the-counter medications and natural health products such as some herbal teas can affect your unborn baby.

Some products that are unsafe during pregnancy can be taken safely while breastfeeding.

It is always important to let your health care provider know that you are breastfeeding. Your health care provider will then consider different medication options for you.

Sexuality, Smoking and Alcohol during Pregnancy

It is safe to have sex when you are pregnant. There may be changes in your sexual needs and desires. Both of you need to discuss how you feel and discuss what you expect from one another. Explore comfortable activities that please both of you.

Your health care provider may advise you to avoid sex with certain health conditions.

If you, or your partner are anxious about having sex during pregnancy, or if sex is painful, talk to your health care provider.

Smoking or being around people who smoke during your pregnancy and after your baby is born, can harm both you and your baby.

Smoking can cause problems during pregnancy. Your baby may:

• Not get enough food or oxygen. 
• Be born too soon or too small. 
• Die suddenly during pregnancy. 
• Be more at risk to die from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). 
• Have health or learning problems.

What you can do:

• Ask friends and family not to smoke near you while you are pregnant and after the baby is born. 
• Make your home and car smoke-free areas. 
• Once the baby is home, smoke outside and away from your baby. 
• Ask for help to quit smoking or to smoke less. 
• There is no safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy. There is no safe kind of alcohol. 
• There is no safe time to drink alcohol during pregnancy. It is best not to drink alcohol at all if you are pregnant.

Mothers who drink alcohol when they are pregnant may have a baby who has:

• Brain damage 
• Vision and hearing problems 
• Trouble walking and talking 
• Organs that do not work properly 
• Birth defects 
• Problems learning, remembering, and thinking things through 
• Problems getting along with others

During pregnancy and breastfeeding, many mothers choose an alcohol-free drink instead. This is the safest choice. If you decide to drink while breastfeeding, limit the amount you drink to one or two standard drinks per occasion.

NOTE: Some things at home and work can harm your unborn baby.

What you can do:

• Talk to your health care provider about: 
• Pesticides (used for killing insects
•  Mercury (in some fish) 
• Lead (in some paint) 
• Asbestos (in some home insulation) 
• Solvents (in some paints) 
• Extreme heat (for example hot tubs and saunas) 
• Plastics 
• X-rays 
• Some cleaning products

Physical Activity during Pregnancy

Being active during pregnancy is important for you and your baby. It helps with healthy weight gain during pregnancy and helps you return to a healthy weight afterwards. Being active also helps with leg cramps, feeling tired, constipation, sore back, and shortness of breath. When you feel good it is also very good for the baby’s health.

Speak to your health care provider before you increase your physical activity.

What kind of physical activity can I do?

During pregnancy you can do many physical activities like:

• Swimming (take pregnancy swimming classes) 
• Walking outside 
• Yoga and relaxation techniques 
• Gardening 
• Prenatal fitness classes 
• Kayaking or canoeing 
• Low impact aerobics 
• Biking outside on safe bike paths or on a stationary bicycle 
• Stretching 
• Kegel exercises 
• Weight training with low weights and high repetitions

If you are already active doing light to moderate physical activity, you can continue to do your activities. If you already do vigorous-intensity aerobic activity, such as running, you can continue doing so. If you are not active, try to do light to moderate physical activity.

Talk to your health care provider about your plans to be active. Check your local community for physical activity programs in your area. Ask your friends, spouse or partner to be physically active with you.

When you exercise:

• Drink plenty of water (before, during, and after you are active). 
• Try not to get too hot or too tired. 
• You should be able to talk when you are active. 
• If it hurts or feels uncomfortable, slow down or stop the activity

Work during Pregnancy

Most jobs are safe during pregnancy. A few small changes at work can add to your comfort and will help you to have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby. Some women must stop working or must change to a different type of work when they are pregnant. Talk to your health care provider about the type of work that you do.

You may need to make some changes or take extra care at work while you are pregnant if:

• You must stand up for long periods of time. 
• You must lift, push, or pull heavy items. 
• You are in contact with chemicals. 
• You work with X-rays. 
• You work in a noisy work place. 
• Your work place is very hot or very cold. 
• You work with animals, young children, or sick people. 
• You work long hours or do shift work.