Taking care of your health

man dangling baby shoes in front of pregnant woman

With a pregnant partner to support and a new baby on the way, your health is more important than ever. If you’re fit and healthy now, keep up the great work. If you’re not, it’s time to get on a healthier path — for yourself, and for your little one.

5 steps to better health

1. Get serious about prevention
You can reduce your risk of many health problems by taking care of the basics, like preventive tests and exams and making healthy lifestyle changes.

2. Take steps to keep yourself healthy
With a partner who needs you and a baby on the way, it’s time to break bad habits for good. We can help you make healthy changes, like quitting smoking. Get support by signing up for a class to quit smoking.

3. Hit the gym or the sidewalk
Play basketball instead of watching it on TV. Take the dog for a brisk walk. We recommend getting 150 minutes of activity per week. Start small if you need to — even 10 minutes of exercise a day is enough to make a difference — and work your way up. Attend a fitness and exercise class at your local Kaiser Permanente facility. Boosting your fitness has many health benefits, and can help you set a healthy example for your child.

4. Keep your weight in check
If you’re overweight, a little weight loss can make a big difference. Don’t know your healthy weight? Use our body mass index (BMI) calculator. Our healthy lifestyle programs can support your with weight loss goals.

5. Relax
If you’re feeling under pressure, try our digital self-care tools including easing anxiety and managing stress meditation sessions.