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:

Thank you so much! We learned a lot and feel much more prepared now for when baby arrives.

Bringing Baby Home – with Brandie Lekovic

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

We really enjoyed Erin’s style and appreciated the additional materials sent to us. There were lots of opportunities to ask questions and Erin is clearly an expert! Her demonstrations were very helpful and her attention to everyone’s unique circumstances (eg. Which neighborhood we live in, which car seat we have) was much appreciated!! Would definitely recommend this class to others!!

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

We had a wonderful experience during our online class session. Misty is incredibly knowledgeable and the curriculum is easy to understand for first time parents. It helps to learn beyond medical knowledge presented in a textbook. We left the training feeling much more at ease about the birthing process and have many resources to refer back to if needed. Thank you! Crystal and Serge

Pre Natal One Day – with Misty Pratt

Bring Baby Home presented important information that helped my husband and I feel more prepared for our baby's arrival. The class set expectations accordingly around "stuff" baby will need and cleared up any old wives tales that surrounded topics such as: breastfeeding, solids, food allergies and swaddling.

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

We really appreciated the very frank, honest, non-judgemental explanations. It has helped us to separate the facts from the opinions.

Pre Natal – with Julia Wykes

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

Absolutely ! As first time parents the Prenatal course helped us feel informed about the labour, birth and post-partum stages. My husband and I both feel we're better prepared to know what to expect, what is normal, what isn't and it prompted questions and discussions we wouldn't have otherwise thought to have ahead of labour. We both feel more empowered coming out of this course. As a soon-to-be first time mom I now feel like birth isn't something that has to happen to me but rather something I can take more ownership over. I can't recommend our facilitator, Brandie, enough as well. She is absolutely phenomenal!

Pre Natal – with Brandie Lekovic

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

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

Of course! Ottawa CEA Pre Natal Class was the most informative source of information that I've come into contact with since getting pregnant! This isn't an old-fashioned, dry course that tells you not to smoke (because you should know that anyway), or shows you how to swaddle a baby. The information provided was up-to-date, reliable and relatable. The teaching method was objective, with no judgements of one's perferred method of childbirth. There was much more active learning than I had expected, but it never got overwhelming. The pacing was perfect for two days! The course gave me a clear idea of what it might be like to be in labour, and empowered me with information. I know feel as though I have actual tools that will help me prepare for the big day! I highly recommend this course for both soon-to-be parents, as my support partner also gained much knowledge from the course and feels more comfortable with being my support.

Pre Natal – with Brandie Lekovic

Julia's manner and the information she provided was so reassuring. We feel prepared for the birth and so excited to meet our baby girl. It was a delight to be enrolled in her class.

Pre Natal – with Julia Wykes

Julia did an amazing job delivering each and every class. She made sure to answer any questions we had and explained each concept thoroughly. I would definitely take another one of Julia’s classes and would recommended OCEA classes to any future parent.

Pre Natal – with Julia Wykes

This class got my partner and I talking practically about becoming parents: Where will Baby sleep? How will we maximize our sleep? What items do we really need? What kind of diapers will we use? We were given information (i.e. the pros and cons) on so many issues and were left to make decisions that work best for us. I really appreciated the class and would recommend it to new parents who, like us, just don't know where to begin planning life for three.

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

As a mom-to-be with zero experience caring for babies, this class was so reassuring. I learned a ton and feel much more confident about bringing our baby home.

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

The OCEA prenatal class was so informative. My husband and I walked away from the classes feeling like we had a lot of information and the necessary tools to make informed decisions that fit our birth plan and our own family preference for our at-hospital birth. My husband was also really pleased with the course because it offered a lot of information on the role of the birth partner, which is information you don’t find readily available online unfortunately. We highly recommend any new parents to take this course so that you can feel prepared and make decisions on your birth date that you feel comfortable with.

Pre Natal – with Michelle Morra

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

Erin was absolutely PHENOMENAL. Her immense knowledge, calm demeanor, and insight was so helpful. So so so glad we had Erin as our teacher!!!

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

Misty is a fabulous childbirth educator! Both my husband and I felt comfortable asking questions during the class, which is not always the case with online courses. I would 100% recommend this class to a expecting mothers and their partners. What a great way to prepare for the upcoming birth of our little one! :)

Pre Natal – with Misty Pratt

We can't imagine NOT having taken the course! Not only did we learn a lot of useful things but with the money we'll save not buying unnecessary items the course paid for itself!! We highly recommend every new parent take this course!

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

Money well spent! We weren’t sure what we would walk away with, but would recommend to everyone we know looking for a prenatal class!

Pre Natal – with Lilly Bianchi

Bringing Baby Home is like the Coles notes of parenting. It helps sum up what all the baby books Teach without any biased push on any one thing. It allows you test out each option and make your own informed decision on what will work best for you and your baby. Very impressed and well worth our time and money. Loved it.

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

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