It is normal and healthy to gain weight during pregnancy. The general guideline for weight gain is based on your pre-pregnancy weight. If your weight before pregnancy was healthy, average gain should be 11.5 - 16 kg. If you were underweight before pregnancy, average gain should be 12.5 - 18 kg. If you were overweight before pregnancy, average gain should be 7 - 11.5 kg. If you were obese before your pregnancy, average gain should be 5 - 9 kg. If you are carrying twins, then the weight gain should be between 16 and 20.5 kg.  Discuss what' is right for you with your caregiver.

For most women, morning sickness disappears after the first three months of pregnancy. In some cases, however, it can go on longer. Talk to your caregiver about your situation.

All pregnant women need a daily multivitamin supplement that contains folic acid and iron.  Talk to your caregiver about the supplement that is right for you.  Healthy food should always be your main source of nutrients.

Use canned light tuna during pregnancy. Canned white tuna higher in mercury than canned light tuna.

Good sources of iron include red meat, legumes, fortified cereals and other fortified grain products and dried fruit. The iron that comes from plant foods will be better absorbed by your body if eaten with Vitamin C-rich foods, like citrus fruits and juices and broccoli, cabbage, potatoes, tomatoes and peppers.

There is nothing inherently unsafe about airplanes during pregnancy. However, most airlines put restrictions on pregnant women in the last month of pregnancy, so check before you buy your tickets. Also, if you are traveling late in pregnancy, consider the possibility of going into labour at your destination. Is this acceptable to you? Having a baby in a foreign country, especially the USA, is very expensive. Be sure to check into insurance, and ask specifically whether care related to your pregnancy will be covered.

Unless advised by your caregiver not to have sex during your pregnancy, it is safe.

It can be quite overwhelming to go shopping for baby stuff, as stores have so many different products and choices. Without the help of someone who has been through it, you could easily spend your whole budget in one short trip. Keep in mind, while there is an extraordinary amount of baby stuff available to buy in the stores, most people only really need a small proportion of it. Many baby products available are not recommended for safety reasons, so check out the chart below for ideads of products to avoid. Everyone will have different needs, depending on their circumstances; however, the chart below should give you some ideas:

Things not to buy:

Most new mothers worry that they won't know when to go to the hospital. Sometimes it can be hard to judge, as each labour is different, but here are a few guidelines. In the Calgary Health Region, most caregivers advise expectant mothers to go to the birth centre when:

- contractions have been 5 to 7 minutes apaprt for one hour, if this is your first baby. If it is not your first baby, go to the birth centre when your contractions are 7 to 10 minutes apart.

- contractions are becoming stronger and you're no longer comfortable at home.

- your membranes have ruptured.

- there is a decrease in your baby's mvements.

- there are abnormal signs such as vaginal bleeding or signs of preterm labour.

 Trust your instincts!

Water breaking, or "rupture of membranes," occurs as a first sign of labor in only 10-12% of births. It usually happens much later - in active labor.  In fact, it may take so long that your caregiver might propose the option of rupturing the membranes for you!

On television, we get the impression that we should race to the hospital after her first contraction.  In actual fact, research has shown that being at the hospital before she's in solid active labor is associated with significantly higher chances of having a C-section. If your doctor has given you specific guidelines about when to come in, follow those.  But, if she's had a normal, low-risk pregnancy and your doctor has not given special instructions for when to come in, these are some additional guidelines that many doulas and midwives find apply to most laboring women in solid active labor:

• She can't walk or talk during a contraction
• She's not concerned about her appearance, and less concerned with modesty
• Between contractions, she's not experiencing pain, but she's quiet and focused - not into chatting

NOTE: If you notice that she's grunting or "bearing down" during a contraction, phone 911.  This is a precaution. In all likelihood, she will still make it to the hospital to deliver her baby.

While few mothers would argue that contractions can be rather painful, understanding what causes them and knowing that they are a natural and necessary part of this "bodily function" and can help. The sensations associated with contractions are related to three main sources:

• The contracting, or shortening, of uterine muscle fibers as they "pull up" and dilate (open) the cervix. The calf cramps you may be experiencing at night are very similar - it really hurts, but you know it's not damaging you.
• The pressure of the baby's head on the cervix as the uterus pushes the baby down.  This is essential to help the cervix thin out.  Without that pressure, the labor will take much longer!
• The pressure on the pelvic bones and strain on the ligaments around the pelvis as it opens to make more space for the baby. The hormone "relaxin" has been at work in your body for months loosening your ligaments so that they can safely stretch. 

Try to remember that contractions aren't the enemy - something to be feared or to fight against.  Welcome each contraction, and hope that it's strong!  A strong contraction means that the positive work of labor is being done, and you'll meet your baby sooner.

Giving birth feels a lot like having a rather large bowel movement!  This makes sense because the rectum is located right behind the birth canal and the baby's head puts pressure on it.  In fact, for many women the first sign that the 2nd stage is starting is the sensation of needing to have a bowel movement. While a small amount of stool may be expelled when some women are pushing, remember that many women experience frequent loose bowel movements when labor begins.  Your body cleans itself out in preparation! Even if it does happen, your caregiver will take care of it quickly and no one will notice. The bottom line is that worrying about it might make your pushing efforts less effective - you can't tighten the muscles in your bottom without also blocking baby's exit!

Unlike other mammals, the human birth canal is curved, and requires some maneuvering on the part of the baby.  The baby enters the birth canal with his chin tucked. As he descends, he turns his face toward Mom's tail bone, and tips his head back as he comes around the corner. Once emerged, he turns his head back to align with his body for the birth of his shoulders. It's interesting to note that if you're laying on your back, the "corner" turns into a "hill". You and your baby must both work against gravity to get the baby up the hill and out. Also, the ligaments around your pelvis have loosened to allow for more opening, and also to allow the tailbone to act like a "trap door" as the baby's head moves past.  Can it swing open if you're laying on it?  Can you think of other positions that might make the job easier for both of you? You may feel the urge to be in a particular position, or if you're not sure, your caregivers can help you get into "gravity enhancing" positions that help the baby move through the birth canal with greater ease. Positions that involve squatting can create as much as 15% more space in the pelvis. You may also find changing positions frequently helpful.

That depends on a number of factors.  If the baby has experienced distress during the labor, the medical team may like to take the baby for closer observation as a precaution. You'll be reunited as soon as possible. In other cases, Mom may not be ready to hold the baby right away due to being very tired, or receiving stitches, for example. (NOTE: In these circumstances, Dads or others can provide an excellent "second best"!) 

In most cases, however, Mom and baby are both ready to begin interacting immediately. Studies have repeatedly shown that mothers and babies do best when routine medical procedures are delayed and they spend time together right after birth - especially when they are skin to skin.  Babies warm immediately to just the right temperature, and their heart and breathing rates become regular and stable. They cry very little, if at all.  Mothers' vital signs also stabilize nicely when the pair is in skin to skin contact. The baby will instinctively look for the breast, and when she suckles, Mom's body will be stimulated to release oxytocin.  This will help expel the placenta and stop any excessive bleeding.

You will notice how alert your baby is.  He will even search for your face when you talk.  Babies recognize the voices they heard regularly in the womb! If you and your baby can't be together right away, don't fret.  As soon as you're able to hold your baby, remove her blankets and snuggle skin to skin. You can still experience this special bonding, even if it's delayed.

We never know ahead of time how long labour will take. It could be several hours or even a day or more, so it's important to keep up your energy with fluids and light snacks. Once labour gets really active, you may not feel like eating or drinking, but try to take a few sips of water or juice between each contractions, so you stay well hydrated.

Soft lighting and comforting scents are great to use while you are labouring at home. (Don't forget to blow out the candles before you leave for the hospital!) For safety reasons, use of candles is not permitted in the hospitals. Use of strong scent is also discouraged, due to the number of people with scent allergies.  Many mothers find that their senses become more acute as labour progresses, and they no longer like strong scents or noise.

In general, Cesarean birth is considered riskier for both mom and babe then vaginal birth. The SOGC does not advocate Cesarean birth for all women, as it has short and long term effects on the recovery and future reproductive health of the mom. Babies born to moms that have elective cesareans have a greater difficulty adjusting to life outside the uterus and may need to be cared for in the special care or intensive care nursery.

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Research shows that there are a number of things that you can do to reduce your risk of needing a cesarean:

1. Move around in labor
2. Stay home in early labor
3. Try to avoid pain medication in early labor
4. Avoid unnecessary induction
5. Avoid unnecessary continuous fetal monitoring
6. Have a doula
7. Be informed
8. Communicate with your health care provider

Bumper pads are one of the items that increase the risk of suffocation, when used in baby's crib. They cut off the flow of air at the level of the mattress, and can lead to lack of oxygen in the crib. As well, there is the chance that baby will roll over and suffocate up against them. When baby is older, the danger is baby using the bumper pads as a "stepping stone" to fall out of the crib. For all these reasons, they should NOT be used at any age.

The simplest way to check the bath water is to test it with your wrist or elbow. Hands are not good at gauging temperature, and you may make the water too hot if you only test it with your hand.

You don't need to adjust the temperature of your house just for baby. Normal room temperature (18-21 C) is fine.

Yes you can. Just be sure to dry the cord well with a Q-tip, when the bath is over.

Generally baby should wear about the same number of layers of clothes as you are comfortable in. If you are going to be out in the cold for a long time, baby should have one extra layer on. In winter, baby's head, hands and feet should be protected from the cold. In the summer, a wide-brimmed hat and clothing that covers the skin should be used to protect baby from the sun.

Yes. Dress baby warmly, including a hat, and check on baby often to make sure baby is okay. Babies need fresh air, as do parents. Many parents find taking baby for a walk helps calm a fussy baby, and may even help baby sleep better.