Mother's Day Message from Dr. David Butler-Jones and the Public Health Agency of Canada

May 9, 2008

Every second Sunday in May, we set aside time to thank moms for all their love and nurturing, and for what their efforts mean to a healthy and happy population.

This year I want to draw special attention to mothers of newborns and infants, and to women who are about to become mothers.  The health of women during pregnancy, delivery and new motherhood is an important part of the population's health as a whole, and must be a priority for families, communities and society.

There are many factors that influence mothers' health and the health of their babies and with this in mind, it is important to highlight the following public health messages:

• For all women: eat well, don't smoke and be active every day. 
• If you are planning on becoming pregnant, take a daily multivitamin containing 0.4 mg of folic acid.
• Have a smoke-free environment during pregnancy and for your new baby.
• Have an alcohol-free and drug-free pregnancy.
• Breastfeed if possible – Human milk is the best match for human babies.
• Ensure your baby is immunized.
• Consult your doctor and check on the safety of any medications in pregnancy before taking them.

For more information on tips for having a healthy pregnancy, I encourage you to visit www.healthycanadians.ca/pregnancy and get a copy of the Government of Canada's Sensible Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy. You can also request a copy of the guide by calling 1-800-O-Canada.

The Public Health Agency of Canada carries out a range of activities to help mothers and babies maintain and improve their health.  These activities include health surveillance and disease prevention, community-based health promotion for at-risk mothers and children, and public education.

One important example of health surveillance is our recent Maternity Experiences Survey. For the first time in Canada, we have comprehensive data on a wide spectrum of maternity experiences as reported by women. 

The survey covered a number of issues related to conception, pregnancy, labour and birth, and postpartum experiences, all from the perspective of new mothers.  I want to personally thank the over 6,000 women who contributed to the survey at such a busy time in their lives.

The results will provide a better understanding of the strengths and challenges in current maternity care policies and practices in Canada.

The care of new mothers and soon-to-be mothers works to ensure kids get the best start in life.

A very happy Mother's Day,

Dr. David Butler-Jones,
Chief Public Health Officer of Canada