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

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

People who took our online class had this to say:

This experience was great! We would definitely recommend this session to others.

Pre Natal – with Julia Wykes

I would recommend this prenatal class to anyone having a baby! The mechanics of childbirth are so much more complicated than I thought, but Brandie explained everything perfectly! We laughed, and learned so much! I definitely recommend the course, it is SO worth the investment!

Pre Natal – with Brandie Lekovic

Bringing Baby Home was a practical, yet evidence-based course, to help expectant parents learn the ins and outs of the first year and beyond. An abundance of resources is presented to the participants in multiple formats - web-based, books, and also by using a hands-on approach. Hands-on introduction to both slings/carriers and diapers (disposable vs. multiple cloth) allows you sample products without the pressure of being in a store or purchasing a variety and figuring it out by trial and error. The instructor was extremely knowledgeable, approachable and encouraging. I would highly recommend this course as a step-above most baby courses!

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

I highly recommend the OCEA's Prenatal Class. As first time parents my husband and I had a lot to learn and this course was so helpful for us. We left class feeling like we are prepared for the birth of our baby. We were provided with all the tools and resources we need and our instructor was excellent. Thank you OCEA!

Pre Natal – with Sarah Hartell

She was fantastic. I really appreciated her non judgmental approach. She provided information in a scientific manner, without inserting a personal bias.

Pre Natal – with Julia Wykes

My husband and I were NOT looking forward to taking a pre-natal/birthing class, in fact we tried to get out of doing one. However our midwife urged us to take one because we are first time parents. All we had to go on about what would happen was from movies really and we were both dreading what we thought would happen. Both of us were actually really surprised at how much we enjoyed the class, and how much we learned. I can say now that I eat my words about not wanting to go, and we both are very glad to have all of this information in our arsenal to help us have a healthy birth.

Pre Natal – with Lilly Bianchi

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

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

This class was an excellent resource for new moms and dads to be - highly recommended! Be prepared to learn a lot that your baby books don't tell you.

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

My partner and I took the Bringing Baby Home course through the Ottawa CEA, taught by Erin Shaheen. Erin is very knowledge and took the time to answer any all questions the class had. All the topics were thoroughly presented and never felt rushed. She even provided lots of links, resources as well as information on local support services. We took this course about three months before the baby's due date, and we are so thankful that we did. After taking this course, we felt more confident about our decision making regarding feeding, sleeping, diapering and what items to purchase We look forward to taking more classes with Ottawa CEA!

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

Erin was incredibly personable, knowledgable, responsive and a very fun teacher. She was able to keep our attention throughout the day with her lovely jokes, depth of her knowledge and experience and kind and welcoming personality. We learned a lot from the class and truly enjoyed ourselves.

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

My husband and I really enjoyed the prenatal class. We left feeling armed with an abundance of knew information and we now feel more confident to be able to advocate for ourselves during the childbirth process. We also feel less nervous about childbirth knowing more about what to expect. I definitely recommend this class!

Pre Natal – with Colette Gignac

Our classes were interesting, detailed, dynamic, and fun. Our instructor put everyone at ease while preparing us for our birth. She used a range of teaching techniques that kept everyone interested. We were given a wealth of information that has really made us feel ready and excited. We did not expect to enjoy child birth education classes as much as we did. Thank you!

Prenatal Classes for Midwifery Clients – with Lilly Bianchi

We liked being able to following the course from our home. We also appreciated how flexible and understanding Erin was throughout.

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

The OCEA pre-natal classes are extremely valuable for first-time expecting parents. The information is shared in a very open, practical and fact-based manner without any judgement attached. It's easy to get overwhelmed by all the advice and research that is out there, but the OCEA classes really manage to distill this information and present it in a clear and structured way. The instructors are very experienced and knowledgeable and are great inter-personally. We were particularly impressed by how they handled giving online classes during the pandemic. They also provide a lot of Ottawa-specific information on the amazing resources that are available here. This was particularly useful to us as newcomers. We have many friends who have given birth in other countries, and when telling them about our experience with OCEA they have all said that nothing like this was available to them and it would have been so useful. Overall, we would highly recommend taking these classes.

Pre Natal – with Julia Wykes

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

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

Last weekend I was feeling super anxious about the unknowns of the birthing process, particularly in light of Covid-19. I feel so much better now after having taken this course. I feel much more educated, adequately prepared, and the fear of the unknown - while not gone, is way more in check now. Thank-you!

Pre Natal – with Julia Wykes

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

Amazing class for new parents to be. Very informative and we both feel more prepared for the birth of our baby

Pre Natal – with Brandie Lekovic

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

Before baby gets here

cart

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

cart

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

cart

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

cart

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.

cart

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

cart

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

cart

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

cart

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

cart

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

cart

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