First Nations Pregnancy Resource Important Information and Phone Numbers
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Beginning Journey: First Nations Pregnancy Resource Important Information and Phone Numbers My Name: My Phone: My Health Care Provider Close Friend: Name: Name: Phone: Phone: My Hospital: Labour Support Person: Name: Name: Phone: Phone: Partner or Family Member: Public Health Nurse: Name: Name: Phone: Phone: Emergency Telehealth Ontario (Fire / Police / Ambulance): (24 hours a day, 7 days per week): 911 1-866-797-0000 Talk4Healing : A culturally grounded 24/7 anonymous online support for your fully confidential HELPLINE for mental health with trained counsellors, Indigenous women in Ontario available peers, self-help programs: in 14 languages 1-855-554-HEAL otn.ca/bigwhitewall A Message to Pregnant Women, their Families and Communities boozhoo! aaniin! tansi! se:koh! tawnshi! Hello! Bonjour! Pregnancy is a special time. It can be a time You may already know some of the information of joy and celebration. It can also be a time of in this book. Other information may be new to uncertainty filled with many questions. It is a you. We hope you find this book useful on your time of many changes – there is a lot to learn. journey of new beginnings. Remember that there are people who can help. Note: This book has information for people with healthy pregnancies. If you have health This book has information to support and problems, your health care provider may give help you prepare for pregnancy, have a healthy you additional or different health advice. pregnancy, and to welcome a new life into Some healthy pregnancies, such as carrying your family. It shares cultural knowledge more than one baby, also mean different from Elders, community members, and First health advice. The information in this book Nations care givers. It also provides medical does not replace the advice of a health care information. At the end of each chapter there is a page where you can make notes about your pregnancy and about your thoughts and plans. The book includes teachings from First Nations in Ontario. As you know, traditions and teachings vary by Nation and sometimes by community. You can learn about your traditions from Elders in your community. You may live in a remote community, in an urban setting, on-reserve or off-reserve. Since First Nations women in Ontario live in many different situations, a variety of information is provided, for example there is information about travelling to another community to give birth. Some information will be helpful to you, and some may not apply to you. 1 You and Your Baby 2 Table of Contents 1. Teachings and Customs ..................................................... 5 2. Support People Before & During Your Pregnancy ........... 11 Fathers, Partners and Family .......................................................................................................... 13 Programs for Pregnant Women ...................................................................................................... 14 Healthcare Providers ........................................................................................................................ 15 Prenatal Visits ................................................................................................................................... 17 3. Getting Healthy Before & During Your Pregnancy............ 21 Preparing for Pregnancy .................................................................................................................. 22 Medicines .......................................................................................................................................... 25 Smoking ............................................................................................................................................. 26 Alcohol .............................................................................................................................................. 28 Other Substances .............................................................................................................................. 29 Healthy Eating .................................................................................................................................. 30 Physical Activity ............................................................................................................................... 36 Work and School .............................................................................................................................. 37 Infections during Pregnancy ........................................................................................................... 38 Is Someone Hurting You? ................................................................................................................ 40 When to Get Help during Pregnancy ............................................................................................ 42 4. Your Pregnacy: First Trimester ......................................... 45 Stages of Pregnancy .......................................................................................................................... 46 First Trimester (1 to 3 months): Your Growing Baby ................................................................. 47 Getting Healthy for You and Your Baby ........................................................................................ 47 5. Your Pregnancy: Second Trimester ................................. 53 Second Trimester (4 to 6 months): Your Growing Baby ............................................................ 54 Getting to Know Your Unborn Baby ............................................................................................. 57 Table of Contents 6. Your Pregnancy: Third Trimester ...................................... 61 Third Trimester (7 to 9 months): Your Growing Baby ............................................................... 62 Preterm Labour................................................................................................................................. 66 Getting Ready for Birth ................................................................................................................... 69 Making a Birth Plan ......................................................................................................................... 71 Birth Plan .......................................................................................................................................... 72 Travelling to Give Birth ................................................................................................................... 74 What to Take to the Hospital or Birthing Centre ......................................................................... 76 7. Labour and Birth ............................................................. 79 What is Labour? ................................................................................................................................ 80 Signs of Labour ................................................................................................................................. 81 When to go to the Hospital, Birthing Centre, or Call Your Midwife ........................................ 83 Timing Your Contractions .............................................................................................................. 84 The Four Stages of Labour ............................................................................................................... 85 Staying Comfortable during Labour .............................................................................................. 86 Medical Procedures during Labour and Birth .............................................................................. 89 8. After Your Baby is Born ................................................... 93 Birth Registration ............................................................................................................................. 95 Changes to Your Body after Birth .................................................................................................. 95 Changing Feelings ............................................................................................................................ 98 When to See a Health Care Provider .......................................................................................... 100 Caring for Your Baby ..................................................................................................................... 100 When to Get Help for Your Baby ................................................................................................. 102 Breast Feeding ................................................................................................................................. 103 Keeping Your Baby Safe ................................................................................................................. 106 Safe Baby Equipment ..................................................................................................................... 107 Safety Tips ....................................................................................................................................... 112 When your Baby is Crying or Fussy ............................................................................................ 113 1. Teachings and Customs 1. Teachings and Customs Introduction Bringing Culture Into My Life This book is for people of First Nations Some people haven’t