Last updated: December 5, 2024

Making your health a priority is especially important during pregnancy. Taking care of your mental, emotional and physical wellbeing will help you and your baby. Learn more about your health during pregnancy in this section.

There is a lot to learn about pregnancy. You don't have to know everything right away. You will learn about each stage as your pregnancy goes on. 

• Pregnancy          
• Pregnancy: Ways to find your due date
• Symptoms of pregnancy 

Learn more about how to look after yourself while you're pregnant:

• Quick tips: Healthy pregnancy habits

• Travel during pregnancy

• Getting help for perinatal depression

• Dental care during pregnancy

• Healthy eating during pregnancy

• Foodborne illness during pregnancy

• Pregnancy: Healthy weight gain

• Exercise during pregnancy

• Sex during pregnancy

• Sexually transmitted infections during pregnancy

• Pregnancy: Chemicals, cosmetics, and radiation

• Pregnancy and seatbelt use

You will likely experience many different symptoms during pregnancy. Learn more about common concerns and find tips to help manage any discomfort: 

• Back pain during pregnancy
• Pregnancy: Changes in bowel habits
• Braxton hicks contractions
• Fatigue during pregnancy
• Fever during pregnancy
• Heartburn during pregnancy
• Pregnancy: Hemorrhoids and constipation
• Pregnancy: Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Leg cramps during pregnancy
• Massage therapy during pregnancy
• Pregnancy: Pelvic and hip pain
• Swelling during pregnancy
• Urinary problems during pregnancy

Morning sickness

Many women experience morning sickness during pregnancy. There are ways to relieve the symptoms and feel better. Learn more:

• Nausea or vomiting during pregnancy
• Pregnancy: Dealing with morning sickness
• Acupressure for morning sickness
• Ginger for morning sickness

Learn more about health conditions you already had might affect you during your pregnancy:

• Depression during pregnancy
• HIV and pregnancy
• Lupus and pregnancy
• Multiple sclerosis and pregnancy
• Pregnancy and epilepsy
• Pregnancy and chronic high blood pressure
• Schizophrenia and pregnancy
• Cancer during pregnancy

You may wonder if you can take medicines during your pregnancy. It can be hard to know if a medicine is safe for your baby. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any questions. Learn more:

• Acetaminophen use during pregnancy  
• Immunizations and pregnancy
• Medicines during pregnancy
• Depression: Should I take antidepressants while I'm pregnant?

Your healthcare provider may recommend tests when you are pregnant. These tests can provide insight into the health of your baby. They are a good way to make sure you are healthy, too. Learn more:

• First-trimester examinations and tests
• Abnormal pap test while pregnant         
• Automated ambulatory blood pressure monitoring         
• Electronic fetal heart monitoring            
• Estrogen test
• Prenatal genetic screening (Perinatal Services BC)

BC Women's Hospital + Health Centre Pregnancy & Prenatal Care
Offers comprehensive pregnancy and prenatal care, including specialized prenatal diagnostic services and care for those who need more intensive monitoring and support.