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:

I would recommend this class to anyone. Even if you think you know it all, the setting allows you to explore so many options for childbirth. Ask your questions, talk to others in the group and see how other people are feeling about it. The class was amazing, but even the open discussions helped to open my eyes to new possibilities. Informative, comforting, empowering.

Pre Natal – with Lilly Bianchi

Absolutely! Taking this class is one of the best decisions we've made as first-time parents-to-be, and we are so glad that we enrolled before making any major purchases or having our baby shower. We are bombarded with so many decisions regarding feeding, diapering, transportation and parenting, and this class was very effective at presenting some of these options to us in an easy to understand way, which has made us feel empowered to make consumer choices that will best suit our lifestyle. The course paid for itself within the first hour, when we were able to immediately rule out some of the purchases that we assumed were "must haves".

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

We would highly recommend this course to any new parents. I thought I knew a fair bit going in, but came away with a ton of new information. We feel more excited and more reassured about our ability to manage our new arrival than we did before the course. It really increased our confidence.

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

I would recommend the Ottawa CEA to any first time parents! The course was very helpful and I came away with more knowledge and confidence about labour and delivery. The instructor was very knowledgeable and tailored the class to all needs (those having hospital or home births).

Pre Natal – with Lilly Bianchi

Brandie is an exceptional teacher, I really enjoyed her teaching style and found all the information to be super informative. She made me feel more confident in my body and the birthing process and took away some fear of labour. I also enjoyed listening to her experiences as a doula matched with the information of what was happening medically. Brandie is very approachable and I felt really comfortable asking questions and having a dicussion.

Pre Natal – with Brandie Lekovic

I highly recommend this course for all couples, especially those looking for a more natural birth experience, while also receiving valuable information on interventions. The instructor was incredibly helpful and put at ease a lot of our worries about some of the 'horror stories' and 'myths' surrounding labour and birth. All the information was educational and will be useful to us when our time comes. Her experience in the field was a valuable part of the teaching process and greatly appreciated.

Prenatal Classes for Midwifery Clients – with Lilly Bianchi

Great class. Exceeded my expectations and I feel much more prepared as a first-time mom. All the little details you don't think of until after the fact. Definitely worth the small fee for a greater piece of kind.

Bringing Baby Home – with Brandie Lekovic

All the hospitals are dropping their prenatal classes! You just can't learn this stuff solely online! Definitely check out Ottawa CEA.

Pre Natal – with Colette Gignac

Lilly was amazing - she is clearly extremely knowledgeable, answered every participant's question, and her voice was extremely soothing especially during the comfort measures section.

Pre Natal – with Lilly Bianchi

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

The bringing baby home class is a must for any new parent! It has really helped us to feel prepared and more confident and has provided us with information and resources which we will use for years to come. Also, our instructor was great and there was no question that she couldn't answer. She made everyone feel comfortable and brought a sense of humour and kept everyone interested and engaged.

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

Lilly is excellent! Would definitely take a course with her again. She is not only very knowledgeable but friendly as well. We really enjoyed the class!

Pre Natal – with Lilly Bianchi

This course provided it us with the knowledge and confidence we need to bring our bundle of joy into this world! In these uncertain times it reminded us to focus on things we can control! Erin was a great teacher. Thank you so much!

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

I would highly recommend the Bringing Baby Home Class to any new parent, regardless of how much experience they already have with babies and children. Our instructor, Brandie, provided a thorough, clear, objective overview of what a new parent needs to know in the first year. She had great, non-judgemental advice and made the job of being a new parent seem far less overwhelming.

Bringing Baby Home – with Brandie Lekovic

Erin was amazing and I would highly recommend her class. We found it incredibly valuable and she was just so lovely!

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

We really enjoyed the 1-day condensed Pre-Natal course from the Ottawa CEA. Both myself and my husband felt reassured and more prepared for labour after taking this course. My husband especially now feels as though he understands what to expect. Our instructor, Brandie Lekovic, was wonderful. She was very thorough, kind, funny, and knowledgeable. I would recommend this course to all first time parents.

Pre Natal – with Brandie Lekovic

We really appreciated Julia's approach. She was objective, knowledgable and funny! I appreciated her non-judgemental but also no-nonsense attitude very much:)

Pre Natal – with Julia Wykes

My partner and I were both really happy with how easy Zoom was to use. Brandie made it feel like we were really in class!

Pre Natal One Day – with Brandie Lekovic

The Ottawa CEA Pre Natal Class takes the fear and uncertainty out of the birthing process and replaces it with confidence and empowerment. I went from "I am not sure I am ready to do this" to "Let's do this!"

Pre Natal – with Lilly Bianchi

Julia is EXCELLENT! She was very knowledgeable and very funny! She knew how to navigate those awkward and uncomfortable topics with care and grace. If we have a 2nd baby, I would love to have Julia as my midwife :)

Pre Natal – with Julia Wykes

We thought Lilly was wonderful!! She kept the course engaging and shared a lot of useful information. She was also funny!! We would highly recommend her course to friends.

Pre Natal – with Lilly Bianchi

During such a difficult time to be pregnant (I never thought my pregnancy would be during a pandemic!) it was really nice to come together with other couples in the same boat. Though it wasn't as social as an in class opportunity likely would have been, the sense of community is such a nice feeling.

Pre Natal – with Lilly Bianchi

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

Private Classes

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Private Classes

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 class Schedule

OCEA Social