Your initial influence

You might think it’s too early to start planning for the big day, but it’s never too early to starting thinking about what kind of birthing experience will be the ideal one for you. 

Packing for the hospital is not quite as simple as packing for a weekend trip since you leave home pregnant, and return with an extra bundle of joy. Your baby will need some amenities and don’t forget your labour coach either. Here's what to pack for the hospital when having a baby.

Here’s an outline that starts with your third trimester, and takes you right through to your upcoming labour.

There are so many things to do before bringing baby home from the hospital. One thing is for certain, if you have a car, you’ll need a properly-installed rear-facing infant car seat to bring your baby home safely.

You want to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet. You know it has benefits for both you and the baby growing in your belly. You likely wonder which nutrients are critical for the healthy growth and development of your baby, so how can you pick out which foods to eat during pregnancy?

Even before you conceive, every bite counts. Wait, that’s a lot to consider, right? Don’t worry, this healthy eating breakdown serves up diet information that will matter to you.

Being pregnant is an exciting experience, not only are you anticipating the day you finally hold your baby in your arms, but your body is also going through amazing changes.

Expecting a child gives new meaning to eating a well-balanced diet. Eating a healthy diet during pregnancy will help your baby to get a healthy start and it's also the perfect excuse for you to make some healthy lifestyle changes. The key to good nutrition is variety. Use Canada's Food Guide every day to help you choose a variety of foods from each food group. It's easy to make healthy choices for you and the baby growing inside of you!

Pregnancy is a time for healthy lifestyle changes. Just like a healthy diet, regular exercise is part of a healthy lifestyle, which is even more important now because soon you’ll have a little person to think about. But before running out the door, it is important to check with your doctor about exercising during pregnancy.