The Parenting Choice

Parenting can be a positive choice for anyone who feels prepared to take on this role. It is important to consider that the choice of parenting will affect every aspect of your life, from your present social and economic lifestyle to your future goals. Parenting is a lifelong commitment that requires plenty of energy, patience and love.

You may find it helpful to ask yourself some questions about parenting and your ability to be a parent right now. The following self-questionnaire brings up some of the many issues involved in parenting. There are no right or wrong answers — the questions are meant to help you make a decision that will be right for you.

Think about your answers and what they mean to you. You may want to discuss your answers with a family member, your partner, a friend or a counselor.

If you wish to continue the pregnancy it is a good idea to get medical, nutritional and emotional support as soon as you can. This is important both for your own health and the health of the fetus. If parenting is an option for you and you would like more support in this area, please refer to the Resource Section below.


Taking Care of Yourself During Pregnancy

It’s a good idea to take care of yourself all the time but it is especially important when you are pregnant. Women who are pregnant need extra care and attention because their bodies are doing some incredible work. Not only is it physically demanding to be pregnant, it can be emotionally taxing as well. Take care of yourself and don’t be afraid to ask for what you need from others. It is perfectly okay to eat more, sleep more, cry more, laugh more, forget things, make noises you never did before and gain weight. Some women seem to glow when they are pregnant and others get acne. All that matters is that you love yourself and respect the changes your body is undergoing.
For more information about how to have a healthy pregnancy see:

Health Canada’s Sensible Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy

Government of Alberta Health and Wellness – Health Eating and Active Living for Pregnancy









Sexual Intercourse During Pregnancy
Most women and their partners can enjoy sexual intercourse during their entire pregnancy. In fact, some women find sex even better because they can relax and not worry about getting pregnant! Sexual intercourse should be avoided if:

• You have a history of miscarriages.
• You have a history of premature labour.
• Your water has broken.
• Labor has begun.
• There is pain.
• You cannot find a comfortable position.
• You are in the final three months of your pregnancy and your partner has herpes.

Even though you are clearly not worried about an unplanned pregnancy anymore, it is still a good idea to wear a condom to protect yourself from sexually transmitted infections (STI). Some STIs, like chlamydia, can cause problems for the fetus while in the uterus or during birth. Chlamydia can cause blindness for a fetus undergoing a vaginal birth.


Tests During Pregnancy

During pregnancy your health practitioner may recommend tests to check the health of both you and your fetus. Before you agree to any tests, discuss them with your partner, support people and your doctor or caregiver. Be sure you ask questions and understand:

• why your health practitioner wants the tests done.
• what information will be obtained.
• what risks are involved, if any.

See Alberta Health Services Pregnancy Care website for more details regarding these tests.

Blood Test
A blood test is usually done early in the pregnancy to check your blood type and to find out if you are Rh negative. If you are Rh negative and your partner is Rh positive then you will require an injection of Rhogam at 28 weeks to prevent any complications during delivery. This test involves taking a small blood sample.

Glucose Test
This test is done at 28 weeks to determine the amount of sugar in your blood. Too much sugar may mean complications for both you and your unborn baby during pregnancy. Changing diet may be all that is required to reduce the sugar level. This test involves a blood test after drinking an amount of sweet liquid.

Counting Fetal Movements
Doctors, nurses or midwives sometimes ask you to keep track of the number of fetal movements. An active fetus usually indicates a healthy fetus. Trust your instincts if you are concerned about less movement or a lack of movement and contact your doctor or care giver.

Ultrasound
This test uses sound waves to produce and image of your fetus. This tests is used to determine the due date, size and position of the fetus. The ultrasound is done by a hand held device that is rolled over your abdomen. The device produces sound waves and the echoes from those waves produce an image on a screen. This test usually requires that you drink a quantity of water before it is done.

Amniocentesis
Amniocentesis involves the removal of a small sample of the amniotic fluid surrounding the fetus. Amniocentesis may be done to check your fetus’s health, to help identify problems or to test the maturity of your fetus. It is not a routine procedure.

It is done as out patient at a hospital. A fine needle is inserted into your abdomen into the uterus and a small amount of amniotic fluid is removed. Of every 200 women who have this procedure one may have a miscarriage. Discuss this risk with your doctor or health care provider.

Group B Streptococcus (Strep) Test
At 36 weeks of pregnancy, a swap if taken from your vagina and sometimes your rectum to test for bacteria known as Group B Strep. This bacteria can cause medical problems for the baby during birth. If you test positie, you will be given antibiotics during labour and possibley after birth.

Fetal Monitoring
Fetal monitoring measures the fetus’s heart rate. Two sensors are placed on your abdomen and held there by an elastic belt for about 20 minutes.

Women over the age of 35 may be offered additional prenatal tests.


Pregnancy and Parenting Resources

If parenting is an option for you and you would like more support please check out the resources listed or call Calgary Sexual Health Centre for information, support and referrals.

FAMILY PHYSICIANS
The following have lists of doctors in the Calgary area who are accepting new patients.

MIDWIFERY AND BIRTH CENTRES
The Government of Alberta announced it will fund midwives starting April 1, 2009. This means that pregnant women can now deliver their babies with the assistance of a midwife in clinics, hospitals or their own homes at no cost.

PRENATAL AND POSTNATAL CLASSES






BREAST FEEDING






EDUCATION






PARENTING SUPPORT