Make your family part of planning for the new baby.

Pregnancy is a time of great anticipation and excitement. You and your family are looking forward to a new member. At the same time, pregnancy also means lots of decisions to make and lots of changes to cope with. The Pregnancy section of this site details these changes and the things that you can do to protect your health and the health of your fetus.

There are a number of decisions you will want to make about the birth itself. You will want to think about where you want to give birth and who you would like your caregivers to be. Many Canadian hospitals now have specialized birthing facilities, which provide a comfortable and supportive environment. If you choose to use the services of a midwife, you will have the option of delivering in a hospital or at home. For more information to help you decide where and with whom to give birth, click on Considering your care options.

There are a number of other things you can do to prepare for the birth of your child. You may want to choose a friend or partner who can provide physical and emotional support during the birth. You might also want to consider paying a prenatal support person called a doula. Many women attend prenatal classes with their chosen labour support person to learn what to expect throughout the pregnancy and birth. To learn more about these decisions and other practical issues, such as packing for the hospital, click on the Preparing for birth link below.

You can also prepare for the time after the baby arrives. You may want to arrange for a friend or family member to stay with you after the birth. If you already have children, you may want to prepare them for the arrival of a new sibling. If you and/or your partner are working, you will want to arrange for pregnancy and parental leaves to care for your new baby. To learn about these and other issues, click on Planning for a new baby.

• Considering your care options

• Preparing for the birth

• Planning for the new baby