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:

We loved Julia, she’s a great instructor, keeps the class entertaining while supplying lots of information to overwhelmed expecting parents. She’s straightforward and fun and the class is very inclusive for dads too, which is greatly appreciated. Thank you Julia!

Pre Natal – with Julia Wykes

Julia was phenomenal! Very kind, knowledgeable and a great educator!

Pre Natal – with Julia Wykes

The online session was really informative. The instructor was very knowledgeable and answered all of our questions.

Pre Natal – with Julia Wykes

I'm really happy my partner and I took this course. I feel better prepared for going through labour and delivery, and feel I learned lots of practical tips that I had not come across in my work in the medical field. I would definitely recommend this course to anyone I knew expecting a baby in Ottawa!

Pre Natal – with Colette Gignac

Erin was fantastic - knowledgeable and engaging! We felt completely at ease and we greatly enjoyed the class.

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

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

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

Erin and Lily are both very knowledgeable, resourceful, practical and pragmatic in all of their teaching and advice. We appreciated that their courses (Labour and Delivery and Bringing Home Baby) were offered through Zoom. We are thankful for their support before we welcome our baby.

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

Julie was very kind, attentive and informative. We found the course information credible and were comforted by the fact that she has midwifery training. We are strongly considering taking the "Bringing Baby Home" course as well. Thank you for adapting the course material.

Pre Natal – with Julia Wykes

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

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

Easy going, could speak up and ask questions without feeling judged.

Pre Natal One Day – with Brandie Lekovic

Julia did an amazing job delivering each and every class. She made sure to answer any questions we had and explained each concept thoroughly. I would definitely take another one of Julia’s classes and would recommended OCEA classes to any future parent.

Pre Natal – with Julia Wykes

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

This was the second course that we took with Ottawa CEA, and yet again our expectations were exceeded. Our instructor was incredibly knowledgeable, sharing balanced and informed views while fostering a relaxed and open learning environment. There was a very good mixture of lecture, discussion and hands-on activities (including the opportunity to try on various baby carriers, handle the many different types of cloth diapers, perform infant CPR on small dummies, etc.). We learned so much over the course of two days, and are very happy that we decided to attend. We feel much better prepared both for the months leading up to our baby's birth (we now have a better sense of what baby gear is really necessary) and the first year of her life.

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

Exceeded expectations on both professional and personal levels! Michelle was Absolutely wonderful - well we felt so lucky to have her as our educator

Pre Natal – with Michelle Morra

Great class, for someone that had high anxiety about birth, this class was exactly what I needed, I was one of those women that wanted to have a Cesarean birth because I was so afraid of labour and pain, so my family and friends couldn't believed it when I came out of class and told them I hoped I have a natural birth, I can't believe it either!!. They help with not only the understanding of the birth process but with elements on how to cope with the fear and of course pain.

Pre Natal – with Brandie Lekovic

The courses offered by the OCEA have been very helpful and informative. They allow you to feel more confident about the labour process, the hospital environment you will be entered into, and bringing baby home. I would recommend this to anyone having a baby.

Bringing Baby Home – with Brandie Lekovic

I would definitely recommend this class for anyone looking for an unbiased and non-judgemental perspective on childbirth and labour. Colette was a fabulous facilitator and made me feel at ease about my upcoming birth experience. Thank you so much!

Pre Natal – with Colette Gignac

I went into the class feeling apprehensive about giving birth and what to expect during labour. I left feeling prepared, confident and excited for when I go into labour in a few more weeks. Brandie provided us with a wide set of tools that we could draw on during the labour to deal with a number of different situations, should they arise.

Prenatal Classes for Midwifery Clients – with Brandie Lekovic

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

Lilly was the absolute best! She really made me confident in having a VBAC. Her class was informative and helped me decide what I would and would not like as far as medications during labour. I would definitely recommend her to others.

Pre Natal – with Lilly Bianchi

Great use of zoom!

Bringing Baby Home – 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