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:

Brandie was wonderful! She’s extremely knowledgeable, explains things really well and so kind!

Pre Natal – with Brandie Lekovic

OCEA's classes are fantastic! I have taken a handful and learned a bunch from each one. The facilitators are stellar, every class is worthwhile

Bringing Baby Home – with Brandie Lekovic

We both LOVED Julia's approach to teaching. She provided us with so much useful information and supported all areas of pregnancy. It was nice that she explained the pro's and con's of each topic without making one seem better than another or making us feel like we made a bad choice going the route we've chosen.

Pre Natal – with Julia Wykes

The Ottawa CEA went above and beyond our expectations of a pre natal class. We learned the science behind the entire labour process from pre-labour to the birth, we learned about medical interventions, and about positions during labour that both you and your partner could do to relieve sensations from contractions, plus much more. Our teacher was knowledgeable and passionate about her work and she made class a pleasure to attend.

Pre Natal – with Brandie Lekovic

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

We were very impressed with the OCEA "Bringing Baby Home" course. It was well-paced and kept my attention, but also had enough time to ask questions and try some "hands-on" work such as straddling and baby-wearing. The instructor was fantastic and I left the class feeling much more confidant about what's to come. Perhaps most importantly, we gained the knowledge of where to go for help in the community and when to seek help.

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

Julia has been very patient and has a really calm way about explaining difficult things which was very helpful

Pre Natal – with Julia Wykes

Coming out of this course, my partner was able to more easily identify his role in the birth. The atmosphere was relaxed and easy, without judgement, and we were able to ask questions and have them answered by a reliable and non-judgemental source.

Pre Natal – with Brandie Lekovic

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

Pre Natal – with Julia Wykes

Julia was phenomenal. She is incredibly knowledgeable, cultivated a safe space to ask questions, and ensured every question was answered. We loved that she approached everything without judgement and provided multiple options depending on everyone's personal situation. We would gladly take another course with Julia!

Pre Natal – with Julia Wykes

The Bringing Home Baby course offered by OCEA was worth every penny. My husband and I were thoroughly impressed with the educator’s level of knowledge and experience. The class covers a lot of material but somehow flies by! 10/10 would recommend!

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

This class helped my spouse and I feel more prepared, calm, and excited about the birth of our baby. We would recommend it to any new parent.

Pre Natal – with Brandie Lekovic

Bringing Baby Home provided us with much needed information and then confidence in becoming parents. We feel less anxious now that we have taken the class. We loved the session on what products to buy! We especially loved all of the community resources that were shared. I am going to recommend this class to anyone who is about to become a parent!

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

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

This class was so useful and well thought out! As first time parents, we feel so much more confident now about the practical side of things. Highly recommend taking this class before creating a registry to feel less overwhelmed!

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

We highly recommend taking classes with OCEA. Instructors are beyond knowledgeable and so warm and helpful. We learned SO much and now have a wealth of resources to tap into when needed!

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

The classes offered by Ottawa CEA are great courses for first time parents. We took the prenatal classes and the Bringing Baby Home classes. My husband and I really enjoyed them. They were very useful to get up to date information specific to Ottawa. It helped us greatly in preparing to be parents. The classes stimulated a lot of discussion between us that I do not think we would have had if we did not take the classes. Erin and Tabitha are great instructors, we really enjoyed our time with them. Thank you!

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

The slides accompanied by Erin’s explanation and the fact that it was interactive.

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

We did not know exactly what to expect from the class, but from the moment our instructor began we knew we were in great hands. The balance of sober and honest information with compassion and a spirit of honouring the process of birth was comforting and empowering. The hands on practice of massage and comfort techniques is something that we will definitely be practicing in the weeks to come. Thank you Brandie and OCEA for such a fabulous course!

Pre Natal – with Brandie Lekovic

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

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

Ottawa CEA's classes are consistently informative and well thought-out. As a first time parent, I feel much more confident and empowered after taking classes with them.

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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Baby Steps - 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

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Premiers Pas d’Ottawa

Êtes-vous francophone avec un nouveau bébé? Vous aimeriez rencontrer d'autres familles francos? On offre un groupe parent-bébé les mercredis matins au centre communautaire Richelieu. Ce groupe est GRATUIT grace à une subvention de Health Nexus Premiers Pas d’Ottawa

Private Classes

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Private Classes

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 class Schedule

OCEA Social