1. Best Start - Prenatal Education Program Physical & Emotional Fitness

2. Pregnancy and Stress

3. Ling

4. Good Stress / Bad Stress

5. Pregnancy Stress Physical discomforts Hormonal changes Health of mother & baby Coping with labour & delivery Becoming a parent Changing relationships Financial concerns

6. More Than Mood Swings Most of the time within the two last weeks... Have you been sad, depressed or irritable? Have you been unable to enjoy the things you used to enjoy? Have you felt anxious, worried or panicky? Have you cried more easily? Have you experienced any recent losses or stressful life events? Do you have a history of depression, anxiety or other mental health challenge?

7. Strategies for Coping

8. Let’s Get Active!

9. Pregnant and Active

10. Key hormones: Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) ProgesteroneEstrogenRelaxinOxytocin Benefits of Active Living

11. Pregnancy Guidelines

12. Tips for Exercising Safely

13. Knowing When to STOP Vaginal bleeding Uterine contractions PainHeadacheNausea Severe shortness of breath Vision changes Dizziness Anything that feels unusual or uncomfortable

14. Additional Resources Health care provider Public health department PARmed-X for Pregnancy- www.csep.ca Local fitness centres Prenatal fitness programs SOGC- www.sogc.org/health/pregnancy_e.asp Exercise & Pregnancy Helpline- 1-866-937-7678

15. Progressive Relaxation

16. This Best Start Resource Centre teaching tool was developed with input from a wide range of individuals from these organizations of individuals from these organizations

17. This document has been prepared with funds provided by the Government of Ontario © 2011 www.beststart.org The information represents the best practice guidelines at the time of publication. The content is not officially endorsed by the Government of Ontario. Consult your health care provider for information specific to your pregnancy.