During Pregnancy
Mental health, physical activity, weight gain, alcohol consumption, smoking, and drug use
A woman and her baby's health can be affected by her mental and physical well-being, including lifestyle choices made during pregnancy.
Mental health
Perinatal mood disorder (PMD)
A term that refers to a wide scope of mood changes, including anxiety and depression, that parents may experience during pregnancy or in the first year after the birth of a child.
Research suggests PMD can affect 1 in 5 mothers.
Research suggests PMD can affect 1 in 10 fathers.
17.1% of women who gave birth in 2013 in the KFL&A area reported mental health concerns.
Research indicates that when a mother has PMD her partner is 1.2 to 1.5 times more likely to also develop PMD.
Groups of women at greater risk of PMD include:
- lower income,
- younger age,
- immigrants, and
- those living in urban environments.
Smoking, alcohol, and drug use in 2012 and 2013 in the KFL&A area
Note: Many of these behaviours are under reported.
- At first prenatal visit, 17.1% of women reported smoking.
- 22% of all pregnant women lived with a smoker.
- At admission for birth, 15.3% of women reported smoking. Women 24 years and under had the highest rate of smoking (32.3%).
- 21.5% of all pregnant women lived with a smoker. 10.8% of non-smoking pregnant women reported living with a smoker.
- 2.2% of pregnant women consumed alcohol.
- 3.7% of pregnant women used illicit drugs. Marijuana was most common.
Weight gain and physical activity
In 2012 and 2013, 26.8% of women gained the recommended amount of weight during pregnancy in the KFL&A area.
Note: 21% of women have been excluded from this measure due to missing data; interpret with caution.
23.3% of pregnant women met the guidelines for physical activity in a recent study in Ontario.
Why does this matter?
To determine what supports and treatments are needed, it is important to be aware of the various factors and behaviours that influence a woman's health and well-being during pregnancy.
Data sources used
- Academic research
- Better Outcomes Registry and Network (BORN)
A full reference list and a print or digital copy of the report is available through Child and Babytalk in KFL&A.
More information about the data sources used is available online.