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:

Misty was phenomenal as a Facilitator, she was unbiased in her approach and research-based which was great. She was empathetic, I felt she spoke equally to moms-to-be and partners and didn't make it all about the moms which was a relief. She answered every question the participants had, she was knowledgeable beyond my expectations!

Pre Natal – with Misty Pratt

The Ottawa CEA Pre Natal course was a great course for all parents to be whether you are a new parent or want to simply refresh your skills. I felt that the instructors were extremely knowledgeable and provided a safe space for asking questions. I also found the additional resources after the course very practical. Overall, very engaging and interesting two-day intensive course. Thank you Brandie!

Pre Natal – with Brandie Lekovic

We had a great 6 week online Prenatal class with Julia! My husband and I really enjoyed the facilitation of the class and topics/information presented and discussed. It was very helpful and informative. We also really appreciated Julia's down-to-earth nature and very realistic views and presentation of the topics. Julia was very detailed but kept it light and realistic with no sugar coating, which is just what we needed! - thank you!!

Pre Natal – with Julia Wykes

I was recommended Ottawa CEO Pre Natal by our midwife and I am so happy my partner and I took the course, as there was so much that we did not know! The 6 part class allowed us to digest and reflect on the information at a pace that helped ensure we fully understood the stages of labour, comfort measures available and post natal expectations. Our instructor, Michelle, was very personable, informative and answered all of our questions thoroughly. We certainly feel more confident entering the final phase of pregnancy after taking this class. Thank you Michelle!

Pre Natal – with Michelle Morra

The one-day class condensed a lot of useful information both for mothers and their birth support person. I felt the course was impartial and provided information to make informed decisions that are right for me. The instructor was warm, enthusiastic and knowledgeable.

Pre Natal – with Colette Gignac

Erin is a fabulous teacher! Great personality, very approachable, very non-judgemental. She is also super knowledgable. Would highly recommend her and would love to hire her as a Doula if they are allowed to work again when we give deliver.

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

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

As a pregnant woman, I went into this course with a lot of fear about labour and birth, and I came out feeling like, "I can do this!" Our instructor was unbiased, kind, and funny, and we felt like we could really trust her and the information she offered. We also connected with the other couples in the course, extending the community of support around us for when baby arrives! This course exceeded our expectations. Thank you!

Prenatal Classes for Midwifery Clients – with Lilly Bianchi

Fantastic - very engaging Clearly loves what she is doing and made the class fly by (even in a virtual setting). Felt comfortable asking questions & that we were getting very informed up to date information.

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

Comfort of my own home :)

Pre Natal One Day – with Brandie Lekovic

The suggestions for community resources were fantastic. It definitely helps to have a starting point to know what to look for and what questions to ask.

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

I would highly recommend this class. My partner and I found it very valuable in preparing for the coming months. The quality of information and the knowledge of the educator made this class worth every penny.

Pre Natal – with Misty Pratt

Highly recommend taking this course. There is so much information available out there, but to have it consolidated into a series of classes led by a fantastic educator made us feel confident in moving towards our next phase of life with our newborn. Erin is endlessly knowledgeable and patient, she is well-versed with all the most up to date research and health guidelines, and her familiarity of local resources is amazing. There is so much to learn, but this class made it feel manageable.

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

My partner and I took a one-day condensed class and feel more prepared to recognize the stages of labour and techniques to cope when the time comes. I would suggest the course for anyone who wants to better understand the birthing process!

Pre Natal – with Brandie Lekovic

Bringing Baby Home is a great opportunity for new parents to help learn the basics, get answers to common questions, and connect with the local parenting community and resources.

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

This course is extremely useful in helping you navigate the plethora of advice that will inadvertently be thrown your way when you are a new parent. The instructor walks you through myths and realities, essentials and non-essentials, patiently stopping to answer all of your questions along the way. The baby safety and CPR portion was great in helping me feel more prepared to have a little new life to be responsible for! Partners are also very much included in all activities and I really appreciated this - as mom to be won't be raising the child alone :)

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

I’ve taken two courses with OCEA, and both were chock-full of useful and practical information and tips. I like that the instructors were careful about discussing the evidence for various claims, and were very engaging and responsive to questions.

Pre Natal – with Misty Pratt

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

Yes. Julia was a great teacher! We appreciated her forthright and balanced approach to teaching. We loved the frank way she handled all questions and concerns. She created a judgement free environment - which is exactly what you want as first-time parents.

Pre Natal – with Julia Wykes

This course exceeded our expectations. It covered topics we never would have even thought of looking up on our own.

Pre Natal – with Brandie Lekovic

Incredible instruction that far exceeded my expectations. I was hesitant on the value at first but quickly found that it was worth every penny and then some. I highly recommend this class for first-time parents who feel lost or overwhelmed by the plethora of consumer products and parenting advice.

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

This class was great! She was so well prepared and had wonderful images and props and ways of explaining things that made learning about giving birth very accessible.

Pre Natal One Day – 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