Public Health Agency of Canada
Symbol of the Government of Canada

Share this page

Healthy Pregnancy

Healthy Pregnancy Quiz

Click here for the Complete list of questions and answers

1. While you are pregnant, it is safe to drink alcohol:

a. Once a day
b. Once a week
c. Now and then
d. Never

The Correct Answer is "D": There is no safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy. We know that a baby's brain is very sensitive to alcohol while it is developing, but we don't know how much alcohol it takes to do this damage. No alcohol is the best (and the safest!) choice for having a healthy baby. For more information, refer to the Alcohol & Pregnancy Fact Sheet.

2. While you are pregnant, you should gain no more than:

a. 20 pounds
b. 25 pounds
c. 30 pounds
d. it depends on your weight before pregnancy

It depends on your weight before pregnancy. If your Body Mass Index (BMI) prior to pregnancy was between 18.5 and 24.9, the recommended weight gain is between 25 and 35 pounds. However, if your pre-pregnancy BMI was between 25.0 and 29.9, the recommended weight gain is between 15 and 25 pounds. Similarly, if your BMI prior to pregnancy was greater than, or equal to, 30 the recommended amount of weight gain is between 11 to 20 pounds. Finally, if your BMI prior to pregnancy was below 18.5, your recommended weight gain is between 28 and 40 pounds. For more information, refer to the
Prenatal Nutrition Fact Sheet.

3. Now that I'm pregnant, I can eat more.

True
False

The Correct Answer is "TRUE": You need to increase your calorie intake, while maintaining a balanced diet. During your first trimester, you need about 100 extra calories each day. In the second and third trimesters, you need about 300 extra calories per day. By eating a variety of foods from the four food groups, you will ensure that you and your baby get all the vitamins, minerals and nutrients you both need. You should get the extra nutrition by choosing foods from the four food groups. For more information, refer to the Prenatal Nutrition Fact Sheet.

4. You can expect to lose a tooth during each pregnancy.

True
False

The Correct Answer is "FALSE": It's a myth that the calcium needed to make your baby's teeth comes from your own teeth. However, the condition of the mother's mouth is still very important to the overall health of the baby, and should never be overlooked. When you are pregnant, having periodontal disease (gum and bone disease) may increase the risk of delivering a premature or low birth weight baby. For oral health information, you can contact your dental professional. There is no harm in going to the dentist when you are pregnant; it's recommended that routine dental checkups continue during pregnancy. For more information, refer to the Oral Health Fact Sheet.

5. Folic acid is helpful for the proper development of the baby's skull, brain and spine.

True
False

The Correct Answer is "True": Folic acid is a B vitamin that is important for the healthy growth of your baby. It assists in the normal development of the baby's skull, brain and spinal cord during the first four weeks of pregnancy and reduces the risk of Neural tube defects (NTDs). NTDs are serious birth defects that occur when the neural tube fails to close properly during the early weeks of pregnancy. To help reduce the risks of NTDs, all women who could become pregnant should take a multivitamin containing 0.4 mg of Folic Acid every day. Women should also eat a balanced diet that includes good sources of folic acid such as dark green vegetables, corn, dried peas, beans, lentils, oranges and orange juice. For more information, refer to the Folic Acid Fact Sheet.

6. Second-hand smoke can hurt the foetus.

True
False

The Correct Answer is "TRUE": Studies show that regular exposure to second-hand smoke may harm you and your baby. Second-hand smoke contains the same toxic chemicals and carcinogens that smokers inhale. It is especially harmful to babies because their lungs are still growing and developing. If you are going to be around people who smoke, explain to them that you and your baby need smoke-free air. For more information, refer to the Smoking & Pregnancy Fact Sheet.

7. While I'm pregnant, my baby is well protected from the chemicals in cigarettes that you smoke.

True
False

The Correct Answer is "FALSE": When you or people around you smoke, your baby smokes too. When you smoke, you breathe in a gas called carbon monoxide that interferes with the transport of oxygen in your blood, so that your baby gets less oxygen. This lack of oxygen can cause your baby to grow more slowly, gain less weight or be born prematurely. If you smoke, the best thing you can do for your baby is quit. If you have problems quitting smoking, you should at least try to cut-down, until you find yourself able to quit completely. For more information, refer to the Smoking & Pregnancy Fact Sheet.

8. When you are pregnant, experts recommend that you accumulate 30 to 60 minutes of moderate activity:

a. Once a week
b. Twice a week
c. Most days, preferably daily.
d. Never

The Correct Answer is "C": Medical experts recommend regular physical activity as beneficial during pregnancy. The preferred types of activity during pregnancy are low-impact, such as walking and swimming. If you were not physically active prior to pregnancy, you should start easy and progress gradually. If you were already active before your pregnancy, you should be able to pursue your active lifestyle, while taking into consideration the fact that your body will change dramatically over the nine months of your pregnancy, and your approach to physical activity may have to change too. It's a good idea to speak with your doctor so you can talk about being active, and cover any health concerns you may have. For more information, refer to the Physical Activity Fact Sheet.

9. Pregnancy is an exciting time, so I should be feeling happy.

True
False

The Correct Answer is "FALSE": Pregnancy triggers an outpouring of various hormones, which can alter your mood in significant ways. One minute, you might be in tears, at other times you might feel fine; this is normal. You may feel anxious about becoming a mother, or about having enough money to care for your baby. Don't worry! Your concerns are perfectly normal and are something most new mothers-to-be experience. For more information, refer to the Mental Health Fact Sheet.

10. If you're well organized and determined, pregnancy shouldn't change your regular schedule.

True
False

The Correct Answer is "FALSE": You must realize that your changing body and your baby's rapidly developing body are on timetables of their own. You can't expect them to always fit in with your usual schedule of work, family and social activities. Sometimes, biology interferes with plans. You may be sleepy when you least expect it, or you may develop a complication that requires extra rest. Your best emotional health will come when you accept the changes you are undergoing and realize you can't control everything. For more information, refer to the Mental Health Fact Sheet.