Frequently Asked Questions
When should I tell people (my boss, my parents, my friends) that I am pregnant?
Does my nausea and vomiting harm the fetus?
Can I sleep on my back or my stomach?
Do I have to have prenatal screening?
I’m feeling uncertain and fearful about being a parent. Is this normal?
Is it important for me to attend prenatal classes?
When should I tell people (my boss, my parents, my friends) that I am pregnant?
This is a personal decision. Some women want to share the news, and tell everyone right away. Some women prefer not to tell people until the 2nd trimester. The risk of miscarriage is highest in the 1st trimester. Therefore, some women do not tell people because they may want to keep a miscarriage private if it happens, while others do share their news because they may want the support of friends or family if a miscarriage happens. There is no “right” time to tell people.
Does my nausea and vomiting harm the fetus?
During pregnancy, the fetus takes the nutrients it needs from your body, regardless of your dietary intake, so even if you aren’t eating very much, or if you are vomiting your food, the growing fetus should be fine.
Here are some tips to help with your nausea:
- eat smaller amounts of food every one to two hours during the day
- try to keep taking your folic acid supplement even if you can’t take prenatal vitamins for a period of time
- eat whatever appeals to you during this time
- avoid fatty and fried foods
- drink fluids such as apple juice, ginger ale, water, and clear black tea
- try eating cold meals to avoid food smells, or have someone else cook
- try not to get too tired
- wear loose clothing around your chest and waist
For more information about some of the common changes you may experience during the 1st trimester, and more suggestions to help reduce nausea, click here.
Can I sleep on my back or my stomach?
Yes. During your 1st trimester your uterus is goring bigger, but as long as you do not feel dizzy when you lie down on your back, then plenty of blood is going to your brain. If you feel dizzy when lying on your back, roll to your side or onto your stomach, as long as you are comfortable. Don’t lie flat on your back after the 4th month of pregnancy. The weight of your baby presses on your major arteries and veins and can reduce the blood flow to you and your baby.
Do I have to have prenatal screening?
It is your choice whether to have prenatal genetic screening. For personal reasons, some couples want to have prenatal genetic screening blood tests and/or special ultrasounds, while others do not. These tests can tell you the chance of your baby having a genetic abnormality, and are available to all pregnant women in BC. This screening can tell you the chance of your baby having Down syndrome, trisomy 18 or an open neural tube defect. Although most babies are born healthy, all women have a chance of having a baby with these conditions – even if they and their families are healthy. For more information, and points to keep in mind when making your decision, click here.
I’m feeling uncertain and fearful about being a parent. Is this normal?
During your pregnancy, your body and hormones are changing, and you have to adjust to having a baby growing inside you. While having a baby is usually a time of celebration, is can also be a stressful time, and you may find it hard to cope with sudden changes to your life. These changes may leave you feeling sad, overwhelmed and confused. It is normal to have many feelings about a new pregnancy. It may help to share your feelings, or to spend time with other new parents, a pregnancy support group, or new parent group.
If you are experiencing unexpected mood changes, and you are feeling down for longer periods of time and the things that used to give you joy no longer do, you may have perinatal depression. For more information about depression during or after pregnancy, click here. Also, talk with your health care provider now about how you are feeling.
Is it important for me to attend prenatal classes?
Prenatal classes are available for a fee to pregnant women and their partners. Funding may be available through your local public health office if you are unable to pay for these classes. Prenatal classes provide information and support on what to expect physically and emotionally during childbirth, the early days of parenting and how best to prepare for these experiences. Women and partners that attend prenatal classes usually have healthier pregnancies and healthier babies. The classes are led by a facilitator, a public health nurse or a trained child birth educator. The following is usually covered in a prenatal class:
- Fetal growth and development
- Healthy eating and nutrition for you during pregnancy
- Changes you can expect during Pregnancy and strategies to help you cope
- Information on preterm Labour or low birth weight babies
- How to be physically active during pregnancy and after birth
- Labour and Delivery support – team support, relaxation techniques, and variations in labour
- Parenting – what supports and resources are available to help you be a new parent or expectant father
- Six weeks after birth includes information on breastfeeding, infant safety, how to care for you and how to care for baby.
To find out where a prenatal class is in your community, you can call your local public health office.
