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:

This class was extremely informative and I would highly recommend it to any parents-to-be looking to learn more about childbirth in a safe, non-judgemental learning environment. As a new-mom-to-be, I feel better informed and empowered for having taken this class. Thank you!!

Pre Natal – with Colette Gignac

The one day, condensed pre natal class offered by CEA is an excellent way to hit all the highlights in your preparation for child birth. For people with limited amounts of time and difficult schedules, this class is a great way to cover off the essentials of what you need to know before you give birth. I highly recommend this class.

Pre Natal – with Lilly Bianchi

As first time parents, we are wracked with questions and apprehensions to be the best parents we can be. Without courses like this, we would need to navigate a lot of disinformation and marketing on social media and be reliant on anecdotes from friends/family to assuage our concerns. Erin presented evidence-based current best practices in a calm, compassionate, and personalized way for the course attendees and empowered us in our parenting education. We are so grateful!

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

It really prepared us for the journey we are about to experience, we highly recommend everyone who is going to have their babies to take this prenatal sessions. Removes the fears and unknowns about childbirth. Being able to share your knowledge and experiences with the other new parents in the class was very helpful.

Pre Natal – with Julia Wykes

Excellent instructor, could not have asked for better.

Pre Natal – with Lilly Bianchi

The Bringing Home Baby Course have my husband and I the confidence we needed and are now more than ready to bring home our baby. The course reinforces your natural parenting instincts while offering some new insights along the way. Highly recommend!

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

We were a bit skeptical going in to the class as so many friends have said they didn't find prenatal classes useful. We found both days of the course to be interesting and useful. I would not hesitate to recommend CEA to a friend or family member. Both my husband and I feel a little more prepared for the big day!

Pre Natal – with Colette Gignac

My husband and I had done very little reading prior to taking this class - as each and every prenatal book we started would frustrate us in some way (tone, type of information, etc.). This class was the perfect primer to labouring - a good variety of information and activity. While we recognize that the birth of our child may not go according to our birth plan, we feel confident that the knowledge we have gained will empower us to make the right decisions for us no matter the challenge.

Pre Natal – with Colette Gignac

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

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

My husband and I were NOT looking forward to taking a pre-natal/birthing class, in fact we tried to get out of doing one. However our midwife urged us to take one because we are first time parents. All we had to go on about what would happen was from movies really and we were both dreading what we thought would happen. Both of us were actually really surprised at how much we enjoyed the class, and how much we learned. I can say now that I eat my words about not wanting to go, and we both are very glad to have all of this information in our arsenal to help us have a healthy birth.

Pre Natal – with Lilly Bianchi

Lilly was great at fostering a community environment through the screen! She was always available for questions and encouraged group atmosphere in an unprecedented new learning environment!

Pre Natal – with Lilly Bianchi

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

Pre Natal – with Julia Wykes

Julia was a great teacher! Very knowledgeable and passionate. We learned a lot.

Pre Natal – with Julia Wykes

The course exceeded expectations-Lilly was organized and took time to answer all questions. She presented information in a way that made myself (first time mom) and my husband feel prepared and less overwhelmed than if we tried to research all the material on our own.

Pre Natal – with Lilly Bianchi

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

The prenatal class we took with OCEA was informative and reassuring. We appreciated the experience our instructor brought to the class both as a midwife and a mom. We appreciated that facts were shared in context to make stats less scary as well as providing a broader understanding of labour and delivery. Would recommend!

Pre Natal – with Julia Wykes

The course was incredibly informative, and I’ll absolutely recommend it to others as a valuable experience. I would, however, mention that there aren’t take-home materials or reference books provided, so it’s helpful to be prepared to take thorough notes during the sessions to make sure all the great information isn’t forgotten.

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

Ottawa CEA is a fantastic organization. My husband and I have taken two classes through them and feel less anxious about welcoming our first child, and more prepared about what to expect both during labour and when we bring our baby home. The instructors who lead the classes (Erin and Brandi) were extreme knowledgeable, friendly and explained everything thoroughly.

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

Our educator was fantastic. We were really impressed by her. She knew her material, but was engaging and interesting, even remotely for the first time. We felt she was careful with her word choices. She had a pleasant demeanor and was very adaptable and responsive based on our questions and based on the new format of the course without any issues. We would highly recommend this course, but we would recommend any class with her particularly. She made us believe we could bring home a baby and we would all survive!

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

Our prenatal class was an amazing experience! Brandie made us feel comfortable and created a safe, engaging learning environment. Her great energy and use of visuals made everything easy to understand. Thanks to this class, we are leaving feeling reassured, confident, and ready for our baby’s arrival. We truly appreciate the thoughtful approach and highly recommend this class to any expecting parents!

Pre Natal – with Brandie Lekovic

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

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