Are you pregnant?

Pregnancy is a special time

It can be a time of joy and celebration. It can also be a time of uncertainty filled with many questions.

One thing is certain: pregnancy and the birth of a child bring many changes.

This information can help you or your partner to have a healthy pregnancy and to welcome a new life into your family.

Our resources in English

We also carry a list of Indigenous resources, of resources in French and of resources for newcomers to Canada.

Abuse
	You and your Baby Deserve to Be Safe - Brochure Best Start Resource Centre, revised 2013 This wallet sized fold-out brochure for women provides a self-assessment questionnaire and strategies (including contact information) for seeking and getting help.
	You and your Baby… - Printer-ready handout Perinatal Partnership Program of Eastern and Southeastern Ontario with the support of Best Start Resource Centre, revised 2014 These printer-ready handouts provide information on abuse and pregnancy in multiple languages. Available also in French, Arabic, Cree - N Dialect, Punjabi, Severn Ojibwe, Simplified Chinese, Somali, Spanish, and Traditional Chinese
Alcohol and Drugs
	Risks of Cannabis on Fertility, Pregnancy, Breastfeeding and Parenting - Booklet Best Start Resource Centre, 2107 This resource is for women and men, who are thinking about becoming parents, are pregnant, or who are new parents. It provides information about the effects of cannabis on fertility, pregnancy, breastfeeding, on children and adolescents when their mothers used cannabis during pregnancy and on parenting. This resource summarizes the current knowledge about the effects of cannabis.
	Be Safe: Have an Alcohol-free Pregnancy - Printer-ready handout Best Start Resource Centre with the support of the LCBO, 2012 The handouts provide information and tips for expectant parents about alcohol use in pregnancy. Available also in French, Arabic, Cree, Ojibway, Hindi, Punjabi, Tamil, Urdu, Simplified Chinese, Spanish and Tagalog
	Mocktails for Mom - Recipe Cards Best Start Resource Centre with support from the LCBO, 2012 This is a set of bilingual recipe cards for delicious non-alcoholic drinks, also called Mocktails.
	Mocktails for Mom - Brochure Best Start Resource Centre with support from the LCBO, 2011 This booklet has recipes for delicious non-alcoholic drinks, also called Mocktails.
	Be Safe: Have an Alcohol-free Pregnancy - Brochure Best Start Resource Centre with the support of the LCBO, revised 2009 This colour brochure provides information and tips for expectant parents about alcohol use in pregnancy.
Breastfeeding
	My Breastfeeding Guide - Booklet Best Start Resource Centre, 2015 My Breastfeeding Guide has information and answers questions you may have as an expectant parent or as a new parent. You can share this guide with the people who are supporting you. Available also in French, Arabic, Bengali, Filipino, Gujarati, Hindi, Korean, Persian, Punjabi, Russian, Serbian (Cyrillic), Somali, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Tamil, Urdu and Vietnamese
	Bilingual Online Ontario Breastfeeding Services Directory - Website Best Start Resource Centre, 2014 Breastfeeding mothers benefit from the support of other mothers. Visit the Bilingual Online Ontario Breastfeeding Services Directory at www.ontariobreastfeeds.ca to connect with and receive help and support from peers, professionals and experts.
	Breastfeeding Matters: An Important Guide to Breastfeeding for Women and their Families - Booklet Best Start Resource Centre, revised 2016 This booklet will help women and their families explore breastfeeding from prenatal decisions, learning breastfeeding basics to gaining confidence. Topics include: making an informed decision, getting started, learning to breastfeed, common concerns, frequently asked questions and where to get help. The booklet was tested by many pregnant and breastfeeding families and contains some of their quotes. Also available in French, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese (Simplified), Farsi, Gujarati, Hindi, Korean, Punjabi, Russian, Serbian, Somali, Spanish, Tamil, Tagalog, Urdu and Vietnamese. The fact sheets complement the Breastfeeding Matters booklet in special situations. They can be downloaded when needed. The following fact sheets are available: Blocked Ducts Breast Infection (Mastitis) Expressing and Storing Breastmilk Thrush
	Mixing Alcohol and Breastfeeding - Printer-ready Handouts Best Start Resource Centre with the support of the LCBO, 2013 The handout is a resource for mothers and their partners to help them make an informed choice when it comes to drinking alcohol while breastfeeding. Available also in French, Arabic, Cree, Hindi, Ojibway, Punjabi, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Tagalog, Tamil, and Urdu.
	Mixing Alcohol and Breastfeeding - Brochure Best Start Resource Centre with the support of the LCBO, revised 2016 The brochure is a resource for mothers and their partners to help them make an informed choice when it comes to drinking alcohol while breastfeeding.
	Breastfeeding Your Baby - Guidelines for nursing mothers - Chart Best Start Resource Centre, revised 2016 This 13 cm by 18 cm fridge magnet is a teaching aid for new mothers and their families. It is a good reminder for mothers on how to assess their infant’s breastfeeding effectiveness during the first three weeks. Colourful graphics and photographs with minimal text provide an at-a-glance look that new parents find particularly helpful. Available also in French, Arabic, Bengali, Filipino, Gujarati, Hindi, Korean, Ojibway, Persian, Punjabi, Russian, Serbian (Cyrillic), Somali, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Tamil, Urdu and Vietnamese
Child Development
	Healthy and safe sleep tips for infants 0-12 months - Did You Know? - Fact Sheet Best Start Resource Centre, 2015 These tips for parents and caregivers of infants aged 0-12 months provide practical suggestions on healthy and safe sleep. The tips support the current recommendations on how to reduce the risks of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep-related causes of infant death. These messages are consistent with the information provided in the Sleep Well, Sleep Safe - Booklet.
	Sleep Well, Sleep Safe - Booklet Best Start Resource Centre, revised 2017 This booklet is for parents of infants from 0-12 months and for all who care for infants. The booklet provides information on healthy sleep tips for infants and for parents. It also provides information on safe sleep tips on how to reduce the risks of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep related causes of infant death.
Mental Health
	M07-B Pregnancy and Life with a New Baby – Tear-off Pad Best Start Resource Centre, revised 2017. This sheet provides information to help women recognize if they have symptoms of depression or anxiety during pregnancy or postpartum. It also provides brief information on where to get help.
	Managing Depression - A Self-help Skills Resource for Women Living With Depression During Pregnancy, After Delivery and Beyond – Workbook Best Start Resource Centre, 2014 This workbook is for women living with depression during pregnancy, after delivery and beyond, and their clinicians or service providers. It provides information about depression and healthy lifestyle behaviours, and skills for managing depression. Concerned partners, family members or friends may also find this resource helpful.
	Pregnancy Is Not Always What You Expect - Booklet Best Start Resource Centre, revised 2013 Pregnancy is a time when some women are at greater risk of becoming depressed and/or anxious. This booklet talks about strategies to help women: Take care of their mental health before and during pregnancy Understand the risk factors that can lead to depression or anxiety during pregnancy Know if they are depressed or anxious during pregnancy Get help and treatment
	Life With a New Baby Is Not Always What You Expect - Booklet Best Start Resource Centre, revised 2015 This 12 page brochure provides pregnant women and new parents with information on the baby blues and potpartum mood disorders. Parents are encouraged to seek help and use strategies for self-care.
Nutrition
	Folic Acid - Poster Best Start Resource Centre, 2010 This bilingual poster (French one side, English on the other side) shares key messages about taking a multivitamin with folic acid prior to conception, and eating foods rich in folate.
	Healthy Eating for a Healthy Baby - Booklet Best Start Resource Centre and Nutrition Resource Centre, revised 2016 This booklet provides information for pregnant women on nutrition in pregnancy. It addresses current concerns and questions such as alcohol and fish consumption, food safety, weight gain and physical activity. Charts and recipes are also included. Available also in French, Arabic, Filipino, Hindi, Punjabi, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Tami l and Urdu
Prenatal and Postpartum Health
	Your Guide to Labour and Birth - Booklet Best Start Resource Centre, 2016 This easy to read guide will answers common questions about labour and birth. The information in the guide is from the section on labour and birth from the resource “A Healthy Start for Baby and Me”.
	Giving Birth in a New Land: A Guide for Women New to Canada and their Families - Booklet Best Start Resource Centre in collaboration with Halton Region Health Department, revised 2014 This booklet contains information for newcomer women who are pregnant and expect to deliver their baby in Ontario. They include information on local practices related to the prenatal and postnatal period, as well as services and resources available. Available also in French, Arabic, Chinese, Filipino, Hindi, Punjabi, Spanish, Tamil, and Urdu
	Important Signs to Watch for if you are Pregnant - Decal Best Start Resource Centre, revised 2012 This small decal provides critical information on important signs and symptoms to watch for during pregnancy and when to seek help. Available also in French, Arabic, Chinese (Simplified), Hindi, Punjabi, Spanish, Tagalog, Tamil and Urdu.
	Preterm Labour Signs and Symptoms - Brochure Best Start Resource Centre, revised 2016 This brochure provides critical information on how to recognize preterm labour signs and symptoms and when to seek help. Available also in French, Arabic, Chinese (Simplified), Hindi, Punjabi, Spanish, Filipino, Tamil and Urdu.
	A Healthy Start for Baby and Me - Booklet Best Start Resource Centre, revised 2016 This low literacy prenatal book includes information about prenatal care, healthy eating, healthy lifestyle, pregnancy, labour and birth, postpartum period, infant safety and early infant care.
Tobacco Misuse
	Creating a Smoke-Free Environment for Your Children - Video Best Start Resource Centre, 2010 This 24 minute video is on the social impact of second-hand smoke on young families. It contains testimonies of situations related to second-hand smoke experienced by families. Many strategies to reduce the exposure of young children and pregnant women to second-hand smoke are provided. Available online on YouTube or Vimeo
	Information on Second and Third-Hand Smoke - Handout Best Start Resource Centre, 2010 This document contains information on second and third-hand smoke, a summary of the strategies and sources of supplementary information.
	Smoke-Free Home - Image Best Start Resource Centre, 2011 Originally created as a sticker, this image can be applied on a door or window, indicating that the environment is smoke-free. Size: 7.6cm X 7.6cm or 3" X 3" Also available in JPG format.
Workplace
	Work & Pregnancy Do Mix! - Booklet Best Start Resource Centre, revised 2011 This booklet is for working women who are or who may become pregnant. It provides information on workplace risks, ways to reduce risks and sources of additional information. Available also in French, Arabic, Filipino, Hindi, Punjabi, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Tamil and Urdu
	Work & Pregnancy Do Mix! - Printer-Friendly Handout Best Start Resource Centre, 2008 This printer-friendly handout is for working women who are or may become pregnant. It provides information on workplace risks, ways to reduce risks and sources of additional information.