Established in 1974, OCEA is a not-for-profit organization. We provide Prenatal Classes, the Bringing Baby Home class, CPR and Infant Massage for families expecting in Ottawa, Canada.
Our philosophy is consistent with the International Childbirth Education Association's “Freedom of Choice Based on a Knowledge of Alternatives”. In addition, OCEA follows The Six Lamaze Healthy Birth Practices. Collectively, the OCEA teachers hold certification and training through Lamaze International, DONA, CAPPA, IAIM, La Leche League and Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Child Passenger Safety Association of Canada (CPSAC) and Bonapace. Our instructors stay current by attending yearly conferences, networking with area professionals and attending births regularly.
Our Teachers
Erin Shaheen
Erin began her work career as a Social Service Worker in 1993 working in the area of homelessness and mental health. She joined the OCEA family in 2000 shifting her focus into parenting-related topics, offered through the Bringing Baby Home Class. She is a birth conference junky and recently returned to complete a Masters in Education for Healthcare Professionals in 2019. She has recently launched a private practice therapy practice focussing on life launching moments and parenting through Circle of Security training. www.erinshaheen.ca She is the proud mother of four amazing young adults including twins and a handful of furbabies. Outside the class, you can find her squeezing some bagpipes at local highland games.
Brandie Lekovic
Brandie has provided prenatal education, personal coaching, breastfeeding support, and nutritional recommendations to new parents for over 20 years. She fosters community connections and passionately promotes positive birth experiences of all sorts, believing that births have the power to move us as individuals. Brandie is a DONA-trained practicing Doula (since 1999), CAPPA Lactation Educator, OCEA Childbirth Educator, IAIM Infant Massage Instructor, and former CPNP Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program facilitator.
Misty Pratt
Misty has been a childbirth educator since 2012 and was a DONA certified Birth Doula for over seven years. She has been working in the field of health research since 2010 and is the Director of Print Publication for the Canadian Science Fair Journal, an online, open-access journal that showcases science projects conducted and written by students from across the country. Misty is currently on a book tour promoting her non-fiction book about gender bias and women's mental health.https://www.instagram.com/mistyprattwriter/
Julia Wykes
Julia Wykes joined our team in 2017, having previously worked as a midwife here in Ottawa and also in Toronto, Nunavut, Scotland, and Mexico. Julia’s interest in pregnancy and birth began during her undergraduate and graduate studies in medical and social anthropology. She is a homeschooling Mama to three young kids, and a dog Mama to one doofy black lab.
Michelle Morra
Michelle has had a passionate interest in pregnancy, childbirth and early childhood education going back to her university days at Ottawa U. Now, as the mother of 5 children between the ages of 9 and 21, she lives this passion through volunteer work at her children's school, teaching and working as a Postpartum Doula. Michelle believes strongly that successful parenting requires active involvement in her local community. She has always been an active volunteer in Ottawa but also while living in New York City, London, and Washington DC for a number of years. Michelle leads a Waldorf parent and child group where she ensures a good support system for young families in her community. Michelle is honoured to have the opportunity to continue pursuing her passion for pregnancy and childbirth by joining the Ottawa Childbirth Education Association team as a prenatal teacher. To contact Michelle for Doula work: michmorra@gmail.com