Welcome
The Ottawa Childbirth Education Association provides prenatal Labour and Delivery classes and our unique Bringing Baby Home class.
OCEA recognizes birth as a normal and natural event in a woman’s life.
It is our goal to present options to expectant women and their partners to help them feel empowered to make choices that lead to a positive childbirth experience.
Our classes welcome women who have chosen midwifery care, obstetrical care or family practitioners and are planning to deliver their babies at any Ottawa or surrounding hospital or at home. Our clients are predominately first time parents, but we also provide education for second pregnancies, especially when planning a Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC), or after great age gaps and with second partners.
The OCEA was established as a grassroots, home based organization in 1974. We are a registered not for profit organization. Over the last 35 years we have evolved into the largest independent organization providing prenatal classes in Ottawa. For more information on our prenatal classes click here. In 2005 we introduced our Bringing Baby Home class which covers normal newborn behaviour, babywearing, CPR and car seat information.
Please note that we have Prenatal classes in central Ottawa, Riverside South and Orleans. For a full listing of our classes see our Schedule page. Be sure to check back with us regularly as we add new summer dates.
Our philosophy is consistent with the International childbirth Education Association “Freedom of choice Based on a Knowledge of Alternatives”
Community News: What has happended to Ottawa's car seat clinics? As of April 1st, 2008,Car seats will now only be checked through the www.seatsforkidscanada.com See our Health Links for more info on upcoming clinics.