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:

The OCEA prenatal course was amazing. We are first time parents and honestly didn't know what to expect or how to prepare for the arrival of our baby. This course and Brandie were excellent and have really helped us prepare with the most useful in depth information. It was more than we could have hoped for. .

Pre Natal – with Brandie Lekovic

Julia was an amazing educator and I would highly recommend her and this class to new parents.

Pre Natal – with Julia Wykes

This course is a must for first time parents-to-be. All of my questions about general "baby maintenance" were answered in a friendly, non-judgemental environment. The section of class that goes over the various products available in the baby industry and what you need and don't need for taking care of a baby was very helpful. I feel better prepared for what to expect once labour is over and baby is home.

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

Comfort of my own home :)

Pre Natal One Day – with Brandie Lekovic

Erin's enthusiasm for babies, parenting, and supporting new parents really made the class shine.

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

I've been reading a lot about parenting and have a sister in law who is very passionate about parenting and I have been around to watch her raising three kids so I have been exposed to a lot of the philosophies. I really appreciated the break down of the sleep discourses and looking at the sleep training stuff, as I had a friend who sent me a huge amount of sleep training info that was like an airplane manual it was so complex and I thought it seemed a little intimidating and unnecessary/counterintuitive, so I was glad to hear that it is not the bible of baby sleep approaches.

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

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

Brandie was excellent. I really appreciated all the helpful tips for birth partners, hands on guidance, knowledgeable expertise and overall structure of the course. I left with a lot of clarity on the process and confidence in myself to deliver my baby. Would highly recommend this course for all new parents.

Pre Natal – with Brandie Lekovic

Great use of zoom!

Bringing Baby Home – with Brandie Lekovic

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

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

Julia was wonderful! She did a great job of making the information engaging and easily accessible for first time parents. She was really encouraging and inspiring!

Pre Natal – with Julia Wykes

Great class despite changed format

Pre Natal – with Julia Wykes

The course covered all of the major topics that new parents should be thinking about and presented an array of options in an approachable and practical way. From learning about the basics (eating, sleeping, diapering) to gaining a lot of information on important things that we otherwise wouldn't have thought about (infant CPR, baby gear essentials, healthy attachment practices, parenting resources in Ottawa), we came away feeling far more confident in our knowledge and level of preparation for bringing our baby home!

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

Yes. If you only take one class before the birth of your baby, I would highly recommend that it be the Bringing Baby Home class. My husband and I learned so much during this class that has increased our confidence in our ability to parent. We also feel like we are much more aware of the resources that are available to us as parents, which will also be very useful.

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

Erin was awesome! She took time to ensure ALL questions were answered, nothing was too much trouble and my husband and I feel much more ready for our daughter to arrive having taken this class! Thank you! Xxx

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

Brandie was amazing, very knowledgeable, answered all our questions. Very engaging instructor and would recommend her to anyone taking the course.

Pre Natal – with Brandie Lekovic

Brandie did an excellent job at teaching the course via zoom. She was engaging, offered great tips and information.

Bringing Baby Home – with Brandie Lekovic

The Ottawa CEA have very informative and helpful classes offered to new or to-be parents. We were able to take both the Prenatal and Bringing Home Baby classes and we would recommend them to any parents. The instructors are very engaging, positive, helpful and experienced. They put our minds at ease. Thank you!

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

We really enjoyed Erin’s style and appreciated the additional materials sent to us. There were lots of opportunities to ask questions and Erin is clearly an expert! Her demonstrations were very helpful and her attention to everyone’s unique circumstances (eg. Which neighborhood we live in, which car seat we have) was much appreciated!! Would definitely recommend this class to others!!

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

This class was unbelievably helpful for navigating the crazy world of new / first borns. My husband and I feel more equipped for bringing our baby home and learned so much about the options and resources available to us. Highly recommend for first time parents!

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

This course provided it us with the knowledge and confidence we need to bring our bundle of joy into this world! In these uncertain times it reminded us to focus on things we can control! Erin was a great teacher. Thank you so much!

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