Welcome to Ottawa Childbirth Education Association

Let's talk birth and babies!

Freedom of choice Based on a Knowledge of Alternatives

Practical tools to prepare for birth

Hands on parenting class for expectant parents

Bringing baby home

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For over 40 years, trusted by Ottawa's parents-to-be.

People who took our online class had this to say:

This course was provided via zoom and I don't feel like I missed out on anything by participating virtually. The instructor was extremely knowledgeable and answered every question. I felt her sympathy for all of the birthing women during this COVID19 environment.

Pre Natal – with Lilly Bianchi

OCEA's classes are fantastic! I have taken a handful and learned a bunch from each one. The facilitators are stellar, every class is worthwhile

Bringing Baby Home – with Brandie Lekovic

I HIGHLY recommend this course. Our instructor was so knowledgeable, and so understanding of the issues facing new parents. I feel so much more confident about our upcoming baby than before this weekend. Both my husband and I walked away from this weekend feeling more excited, and better prepared than before. The information was based on base practices/guidelines, but also incorporating real life parenting experiences. Truly, a really great course.

Bringing Baby Home – with Brandie Lekovic

Julia was great! She kept things light, down-to-earth, and didn't sugar coat things. We all tend to have ideas about what childbirth is like based on tv, movies and old-wives tales, but she was great at dispelling anything that may have mislead us in the past. Her knowledge and experience in the area of childbirth was incredibly helpful.

Pre Natal – with Julia Wykes

OCEA classes, like the Bringing Baby Home course, were our best investment pre-baby! We feel more confident, prepared, and better equipped to deal with the normal challenges facing every new parents. We cannot recomment OCEA classes enough - the instructors are truly amazing, endless source of knowledge and compassion. OCEA classes are huge confidence boosters, and they are also...fun (even virtually). We loved everything about the Bringing Baby Home, and our ongoing pre-natal class.

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

The OCEA Bringing Baby Home class provides a wealth of information and up to date, easily accessible and practical resources for soon-to-be parents, in easily digestible segments that leave participants feeling confident in their ability to parent their new son or daughter.

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

The slides accompanied by Erin’s explanation and the fact that it was interactive.

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

Brandie was amazing, very knowledgeable, answered all our questions. Very engaging instructor and would recommend her to anyone taking the course.

Pre Natal – with Brandie Lekovic

I've been reading a lot about parenting and have a sister in law who is very passionate about parenting and I have been around to watch her raising three kids so I have been exposed to a lot of the philosophies. I really appreciated the break down of the sleep discourses and looking at the sleep training stuff, as I had a friend who sent me a huge amount of sleep training info that was like an airplane manual it was so complex and I thought it seemed a little intimidating and unnecessary/counterintuitive, so I was glad to hear that it is not the bible of baby sleep approaches.

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

Erin, our instructor. She made the experience really positive and always made sure that as parents of twins we had that perspective. She is AMAZING!

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

Sure! The OCEA Bringing Baby Home class was one of the most valuable experiences that my partner and I have had coming into our experience as first-time parents. Our educator was knowledgeable and approachable, not just about the science but also about resources in the community. I would HIGHLY recommend this class for any parent-to-be. It was well worth the investment of time (a weekend) and money (but it was reasonably priced!).

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

The Bringing baby home class is an excellent course that equips you with the knowledge and resources to feel more confident going into new parenting. Highly recommend taking the course in your 2nd to 3rd trimester!

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

I had no idea what doing the class over Zoom would be like but Brandie was excellent!

Pre Natal One Day – with Brandie Lekovic

We very much enjoyed the online OCEA pre-natal course and are glad we took it. We appreciated that our instructor presented unbiased information on the birth process that was specific to Ottawa hospitals. Even my partner who already has experience with childbirth and babies learned a few new things! Would recommend to other expecting parents.

Pre Natal – with Misty Pratt

Discussions and candid disclosure of information about various topics

Pre Natal – with Julia Wykes

The one-day condensed course was a great preparation for giving birth and breastfeeding for both mom and dad! We left feeling more prepared and knowledgeable and armed with more resources for future readings.

Pre Natal – with Heather Olszewski

Erin was very personable and shared her expertise freely and in a non-threatening way. The way she laid out the information and gave us room to ask questions and determine the best route for our own choices was so appreciated. Her quick responses to questions on the chat was also most welcome.

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

This class was extremely informative and I would highly recommend it to any parents-to-be looking to learn more about childbirth in a safe, non-judgemental learning environment. As a new-mom-to-be, I feel better informed and empowered for having taken this class. Thank you!!

Pre Natal – with Colette Gignac

We felt a lot better after attending this particular prenatal course. It was well worth the time and money as first time, soon-to-be parents. We had tried other prenatal courses and left feeling scared and non-confident.

Pre Natal – with Lilly Bianchi

With so much conflicting information online for new parents, it can get overwhelming. We found OCEA classes just amazing, providing evidence-based information on everything from the labour process to bringing baby home. I would highly recommend the classes to all new parents!

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

Great course! Erin is so knowledgeable. We feel like this course will save us a lot of money and angst once the baby is born. I really appreciated how current the information was and the information about local options we can use to get help and support. I wish every new family could take part in this course!

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

We liked when studies, research, etc. were referenced when presenting information. There is so much information out there that it's nice to know when information has been validated by research.

Bringing Baby Home – with Brandie Lekovic

Before baby gets here

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Pre Natal Classes

OCEA's prenatal class will give you all the practical tools to prepare you for your birth whether at home, hospital or birth centre. Our small interactive group classes include the following information presented in small group formats ... Pre Natal Classes Schedule

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Bringing Baby Home

Our Bringing Baby Home class is a hands on parenting class for expectant parents that covers normal newborn behaviour, diapering decisions, bathing strategies, bonding and attachment and more! ... Bringing Baby Home Schedule

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Comfort Measures

This hands on class includes coping strategies to help you feel confident understanding the Pain - Tension - Fear cycle. How to interrupt this cycle using a variety of positions, massage and breathing techniques to help you at each step of labour and birth ... Comfort Measures Schedule

With baby

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Infant sleep class

Are you an exhausted parent that has tried everything and cannot get your baby to sleep? Do you want to find a solution that is not crying it out? We will be creating a space for parents to follow their instincts when it comes to their new baby... Infant sleep class.

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Infant Massage

Learn the health-giving properties of Infant Massage: growth and motor skill development, blood and lymph circulation, immune system stimulation, building bones, helping with gas and colic, aid with deeper and longer sleep, emotional and physical bonding time ... Infant Massage Schedule

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Baby at the Table

Baby at the Table – a baby foodie class for the first year. Thinking about introducing solids? Not sure when or where to start? Purées or Baby Led Weaning? Baby is eating solids and you want to connect with others, diversify recipes, or create mealtime routines? ... Baby at the Table

Specialty

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It Takes a Village

About to be a Grandparent? Or maybe an Aunt, Uncle or another "villager"? This class is just for you! Sure, babies will always be babies, but parenting has so many new dimensions these days. Let us get you up to date on newborn development, sleep, tummy time, infant feeding, car seats, and more. We also explore how to be helpful and supportive while keeping your family relationships happy and boundaries healthy. It Takes a Village

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CPR

Our virtual CPR classes focuses on infant choking, signs of readiness for starting solids, babyled weaning and baby proofing strategies. This life skills class is excellent for family and friends who are interested in learning all aspects of infant, child and adult CPR ... CPR Schedule

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Parenting Group

Join us for the new OCEA parent group, BABY STEPS! Come and discuss life with your newborn. This group is geared to families with babies from 0-6months, covering topics including family adjustments, creating new family traditions, normal sleep patterns, and Parenting Group Schedule

Tutoring

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Private Tutoring

OCEA provides private tutoring for individuals and couples unable to commit to an evening series or weekend class. Take a session on your own or with friends and we will meet your scheduling needs ... Private Tutoring Schedule

OCEA Social