Our Classes

We are proud to offer

Pre Natal Classes

In - Person classes will resume in September 2023 for weekend sessions in Ottawa, Ontario. Virtual classes will continue for evening sessions for those across Canada.
We ask that participants keep their videos on during class for our online group classes.  Like an in-person class, this creates a sense of community and safety.   If you prefer not to be seen, we recommend a private session with one of our instructors

We suggest you take your prenatal classes between 20 weeks and 36 weeks. Be sure to register early in your pregnancy to ensure a place is reserved for you. Classes are offered in the following formats:
6 Weekday Evenings OR Full Weekend One Day Condensed
  • Your birth support team – The role of the Midwife, family Doctor, OB, Registered Nurse and Doula
  • Stages and Phases of labour
  • Comfort measures including relaxation and massage techniques
  • Breath awareness
  • All options for pain management
  • Making decisions and giving consent
  • Methods of induction
  • Interventions including IV’s, fetal heart monitors, instrumental deliveries, inductions, and cesarean sections
  • Post-birth procedures for babies
  • Post-birth recovery for women
  • Resources in Ottawa
  • Infant feeding
  • Your birth support team – The role of the Midwife, family Doctor, OB, Registered Nurse and Doula
  • Physiology of birth
  • Stages and Phases of labour
  • Comfort measures
  • All options for pain management
  • Interventions including inductions and cesarean sections
  • Infant feeding resources
Topics are presented in a variety of methods including videos, hands-on practice, small group discussion and relaxation exercises. Topics are presented in a lecture-like style to allow for the time required to cover the content in a shorter space of time.

Our one-day condensed classes are excellent for those who may not otherwise have time to take a prenatal class, or for expectant parents who work shift work. We cover the topics shown in the above table, which offers a comparison to our 6-week series and two-day weekend classes.  We focus on labour and birth, leaving you with reading resources for post-birth.

Cost of classes is $200 (CAD) (per couple) for the two-day class and $175 (CAD per couple) for the one-day class and includes telephone and email contact with your instructor free parking and air-conditioned rooms. 
*a couple is defined as a pregnant person and one support person (which can be a spouse, partner, friend or family member)

What materials are provided for class?  To make the class as interactive and hands-on as possible, we will share a series of links and information sheets five days before your class with your reminder email.  The internet has a wonderful amount of resources and we will link you to up-to-date resources on the net.  You do not need to print them off in advance.   We also strive to reduce environmental impacts by offering all resources in e-formats.

Refund Policy: When cancelling a prenatal class after it has been booked there is a $25 (CAD) administration fee. If the cancellation occurs less than 14 days before the class there is a 50% cancellation fee. If it is less than 7 days there is no refund.  Requests for date changes within 7 days of class will reflect a $75 fee.  Please remember this when booking classes and plan to finish your session by 35 weeks.

People who took our class had this to say:


We dearly want to support the health of expectant families.

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

I loved Brandie's chat at the end about plugging the baby into your life, and seeing the first 6 weeks as "vacation."

Bringing Baby Home – with Brandie Lekovic

The prenatal class through OCEA was amazing! It was so nice receiving information with my partner by my side. It led us to having continued conversations in our own home about pregnancy, our plans for labour, delivery, and postpartum. Brandie is an incredible educator. She makes everyone feel at ease, she is hilarious, honest, and nonjudgmental. She wants the best for each couple simply by making sure you are informed with the best information out there

Pre Natal – with Brandie Lekovic

Erin was really wonderful and had so much information that was easy to follow and was non-judgemental with any questions you had. She did really well with teaching the class online given the current situation.

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

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

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

Bringing Baby Home – with Brandie Lekovic

This class strikes a great balance between super practical guidance and insights on day-to-day life with a new baby, and also up to date, thoroughly referenced, scientifically backed health information and parenting discourse.

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

Erin was absolutely phenomenal as a course facilitator and her knowledge of all subjects relating to the course was outstanding! She has a casual approach to many baby topics that would otherwise cause great (unnecessary) stress for parents-to-be. The combined experience of having her own family and working with new parents over the years adds an amazing wisdom that was so refreshing to see. It was too bad the course was online as I'm sure it would've been more engaging in person, overall I give it an A+.

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

I would highly recommend this course. It is probably the best investment we have made in preparing for our first child. Lots of useful information presented in an easy-to-digest way, without opinion, bias, or "horror stories". I feel so much more prepared for labour, birth & the early days of parenthood.

Pre Natal – with Lilly Bianchi

Erin was absolutely amazing! The way she teaches is so engaging and funny and the two full days spent together over Zoom flew by. She was extremely knowledgeable and helpful and her approach was very open, kind, and non-judgmental.

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

She did a great job in making us feel comfortable to ask questions.

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

Brandie made me feel much more relaxed about how to manage pain during this class- and I loved the massage techniques that she taught our partners

Pre Natal – with Brandie Lekovic


 
Reset Filters