The best gift you can give your unborn baby is a healthy start in life. If you feel well and stay healthy, chances are your baby will too. Take good care of yourself by choosing the right caregiver, learning to work with your health care team and signing up for prenatal education, either online or through in-person classes.

Pregnancy lasts approximately 40 weeks, but each woman and each pregnancy are unique. Click on this link to calculate your "due date," but remember that this is only an estimate!

Pregnancy calculator

One of the best ways to give your baby a healthy start in life is to get early, and ongoing, prenatal care. Family doctors, midwives and obstetricians all offer prenatal care (caring during pregnancy) and delivery of your baby.If you haven't chosen a caregiver, here are some tips to help you find one:

• Ask your friends.
• Ask your family doctor if you are looking for a specialist.
• Call your Health Region for a list of doctors taking new patients or check the page on the Alberta Health Services website, Find a Doctor
• Contact the College of Physicians and Surgeons for a list of doctors who are taking new maternity patients (1-800-561-3899).

To find a caregiver who matches your needs, you may want to meet before your first examination. Some questions you may want to ask:

• Where will my baby be born (which birth centre)?
• What are the basic routines and procedures that I can expect during my pregnancy? For example, you may want to discuss routines for office visits, phone consults, usual tests and procedures.
• Will you be attending the birth of my baby? (If not, who will?)
• What are my choices during pregnancy and labour? Some tests and procedures are optional and will depend on the situation and your caregiver. You may want to discuss topics such as positions in labour and birth, labour support, medications, induction of labour and episiotomy.
• What support will I have for breastfeeding?
• Are there extra charges for your service that Alberta Health Care does not cover?

You may have other questions as well. You need to be able to talk to and trust your caregiver throughout your pregnancy. If you feel uncomfortable or hurried during your appointment or if you have questions or concerns say so.

Now that you are pregnant, you might be feeling excitement, anticipation and maybe even a little anxiety over all of the changes that pregnancy and your new baby will bring to your life. The new routine of prenatal care visits to your physician, ensuring that you eat well and get lots of rest, as well as the pressure of picking out baby names may at times feel overwhelming!

Classes: Sign up for in-person or online prenatal classes through the Calgary Health Region

Resources: Pick up a copy of From Here through Maternity, a comprehensive guide for families produced by Alberta Health Services, Calgary Zone.  It is available at no charge from your doctor or at the one of the many in-person childbirth education classes offered by the Region. From Here through Maternity includes information on your pregnancy, your labour experience, taking care of yourself, your new baby, feeding your baby and resources for families. In addition, books, magazines and electronic resources on pregnancy and childbirth are available through your local library.