Virtual Prenatal Class

Carlington Community Health Centre

Perinatal Parent Support Program: Supported From The Start

This program provides ongoing support from the moment you know you are pregnant until 6 months after your baby is born. The program supports all Ottawa Residents with free services including prenatal classes, parent support classes, breastfeeding support (before and after birth), mental health support and one on one individualized support. 

If you are pregnant join here:

Pregnant in Ottawa:  Free, Live, Online Prenatal Classes (Weekly- In English only)

This  group is open to all Ottawa residents who are pregnant and / or are delivering in our region Click here to join as soon as you know you are pregnant.  No Facebook?  No problem! You can also email gszollos@carlingtonchc.org for the zoom links.

Or if your baby is between birth and 6 months old join here:

Ottawa Prenatal, Breastfeeding and Parent support (Weekly- In English only)

Parent sessions are Free, Live and Online every week and open to all Ottawa residents who are pregnant or parenting a child under 6 months. Click here to join the Facebook group, email gszollos@carlingtonchc.org for the zoom links or access the Zoom link directly below:

• 0-2 month old parenting session every Tuesday at noon, click here 
• 2-6 months every Tuesday at 2:30 pm, click here

Prenatal Breastfeeding Information Sessions (Monthly- In English only)

Open to all Ottawa residents click here to register or email Gszollos@carlingtonchc.org.

Question and Answer with a Lactation Consultant (Weekly- In English only)

Open to all Ottawa residents, get all of your breastfeeding questions answered in real time click here to register or email gszollos@carlingtonchc.org.

Managing Anxiety for new and expectant Parents (MAP- In English only) 

Open to all Ottawa Residents pregnant or parenting a baby under 6 months to register email gszollos@carlingtonchc.org.

Prenatal Breastfeeding Workshop

• Opportunity to learn about breastfeeding before baby arrives!
• Facilitated by a registered nurse/international board certified lactation consultant (IBCLC)
• Once monthly, Wednesdays on Zoom, 6-8pm
• Follow link below to register in advance:  Pinecrest Queensway Community Health Centre Events | Eventbrite

• How to prepare for labour and birth. 
• The four stages of labour. 
• How to time contractions. 
• When to go to the hospital/birthing centre and/or when to call the midwife. 
• Comfort measures in labor (positions, medications,…)

 Reading:

• A Healthy Start for Baby and Me : Best Start, 2020, chapters 5 and 6 
• Preterm Labor Signs and Symptoms : Best Start, 2020, the whole booklet 

Reflection:

• When is it important for you to go to the hospital or call the midwife?
• What is your goal for the birth?
• What comfort measures have you tried before?
• What comfort measures do you see yourself trying? Which ones do you think won’t work for you?
• What positions do you think will be helpful for pushing?

Added resources 

Online:  

• Pregnancyinfo.ca: is an evidence-based website about pregnancy and childbirth. It is an initiative of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada. 
• Your Guide to A Healthy Pregnancy : PHAC, 2021
• Oxytocin: To Help Start or Speed Up Your Labour : PCMCH, 2019
• Parenting in Ottawa: Ottawa Public Health source of information for parents 
• Ottawa Public Health, Covid-19 information for parents   
• From Tiny Tot to Toddler: From the Institut de Santé publique du Québec.  The link takes you to the different chapters from the manual.
• Canadian Blood Services : Cord blood donation  information
• Penny Simkin YouTube Channel
• The Ottawa Hospital Anesthesia Options in Childbirth

• Mother To Baby: Mother To Baby, is a service of the non-profit Organization of Teratology Information Specialists (OTIS).  The fact sheets provides information about medication and pregnancy/breastfeeding.  The telephone line is not available to Canadians.

Phone:  

• Health811: Call 8-1-1 to connect with a registered nurse for free, secure and confidential health advice 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Objectives:

• Importance of breastfeeding, skin‐to‐skin and colostrum. 
• Risks of not breastfeeding for mother and baby. 
• Current recommendation for breastfeeding duration. 
• Baby‐led latching and cue‐based feeding. 
• Steps for hand expression of breastmilk. 
• Proper position and latch and signs of adequate milk intake. 
• Partner support and community resources. 

Reading/Video: 

• Breastfeeding Matters : Best Start, 2020
• Natural Breastfeeding Position : Nancy Mohrbacher, 2014

Reflection:

• If you plan to breastfeed, why do you want to breastfeed?
• How long do you plan to breastfeed? 
• Where can you get help? 
• Which position do you think would work best for you?

Added resources 

Online:  

• Mother To Baby: Mother To Baby, is a service of the non-profit Organization of Teratology Information Specialists (OTIS).  The fact sheets provides information about medication and pregnancy/breastfeeding.  The telephone line is not available to Canadians.

• Parenting in Ottawa: Ottawa Public Health source of information for parents 
• Ottawa Public Health, Covid-19 information for parents  
• From Tiny Tot to Toddler:  From the Institut de Santé publique du Québec.  The link takes you to the different chapters from the manual..  
• Breastfeeding videos : Region of Waterloo Public health
• Hand Expression of Breastmilk : Stanford Medicine, 2006

Phone:

• Health811: Call 8-1-1 to connect with a registered nurse for free, secure and confidential health advice 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• LLLC (La Leche League Canada) Ottawa : 613-238-5919

• Some typical newborn characteristics 
• Common newborn care after the birth
• Types of routine newborn screening offered to parents
• Important tips for car seat, crib, and sleep safety
• Reasons why babies cry, soothing strategies and the dangers of shaken baby syndrome
• Signs that may indicate your baby is ill
• The importance of healthy attachment and ways to promote it
• Where to get more information

Reading/Video:  

• Here Come Baby videos : ParentingInOttawa.ca, all
• Child Passenger Safety : ParentingInOttawa.ca
• Safe Sleep video:  Public Health Agency of Canada
• Fever: What You Need to Know:  CHEO

Reflection:

• If your baby is crying, is it ok to pick her up?
• Do you know where to go for help if you have a question?
• Do you know when to go to the hospital if your baby is sick?
• If your baby falls asleep in the car seat, is it ok to leave them there?

Added resources 

Online:  

• Mother To Baby: Mother To Baby, is a service of the non-profit Organization of Teratology Information Specialists (OTIS).  The fact sheets provides information about medication and pregnancy/breastfeeding.  The telephone line is not available to Canadians.
• Parenting in Ottawa: Ottawa Public Health source of information for parents 
• Ottawa Public Health, Covid-19 information for parents  
• From Tiny Tot to Toddler: From the Institut de Santé publique du Québec.  The link takes you to the different chapters from the manual.
• Love Builds Brains Best Start 2020
• Life With a New Baby Is Not Always What You Expect: Best Start 2015
• Vitamin D: Canadian Paediatric Society
• Immunization: Electronic vaccination record
• Circumcision:  Canadian Paediatric Society
• Ontario Poison Centre

Phone:  

• Health811: Call 8-1-1 to connect with a registered nurse for free, secure and confidential health advice 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

• Ottawa Distress Centre: 613-238-3311
• Crisis Services Canada: 1-833-456-4566