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:

How easy it was to use Zoom. That this was offered as an alternative rather than just cancelling outright. That we didn't have to get up earlier and travel anywhere :)

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

Lilly is a very skilled educator. She lays out the course material in a way that is very approachable and spends an appropriate amount of time on each subject. More importantly, Lilly created a safe environment in the class where no one ever felt intimidated by asking a question, and used inclusive terms like "partner" instead of "dad" or "husband" and "chestfeeding" instead of "breastfeeding". I would recommend Lilly's class to everyone I know!

Pre Natal – with Lilly Bianchi

Lilly is excellent! Would definitely take a course with her again. She is not only very knowledgeable but friendly as well. We really enjoyed the class!

Pre Natal – with Lilly Bianchi

LOVED Erin, her knowledge and experience, her positive non-judgemental attitude, her stories, everything. We truly enjoyed the class and were sad when it ended!

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

Discussions and candid disclosure of information about various topics

Pre Natal – with Julia Wykes

My husband and I had the pleasure of attending prenatal classes this weekend, guided by the wonderful Michelle. Her kindness, expertise, and unwavering support made the experience truly invaluable. From Saturday to Sunday, we felt empowered and informed, thanks to her guidance. Without hesitation, I would wholeheartedly recommend these classes to any expecting couple. Michelle's dedication and warmth create an environment where you feel not only prepared but also genuinely cared for.

Pre Natal – with Michelle Morra

Lilly was incredible, she shared the information that can appear as quite daunting in such a calm, humble matter. At no point did she make my husband and I feel overhwlemed by the information abd when information felt overhwhelming, she ensured to make the time to calm all of our worries and answer all our questions

Pre Natal – with Lilly Bianchi

Due to covid was online. Was actually more comfortable being home and not having to commute

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

Brandie sent us SO many links and provided us with a lot of different reading materials... a dream for someone like me who loves information

Pre Natal – with Brandie Lekovic

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

Absolutely ! As first time parents the Prenatal course helped us feel informed about the labour, birth and post-partum stages. My husband and I both feel we're better prepared to know what to expect, what is normal, what isn't and it prompted questions and discussions we wouldn't have otherwise thought to have ahead of labour. We both feel more empowered coming out of this course. As a soon-to-be first time mom I now feel like birth isn't something that has to happen to me but rather something I can take more ownership over. I can't recommend our facilitator, Brandie, enough as well. She is absolutely phenomenal!

Pre Natal – with Brandie Lekovic

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

My partner and I were both really happy with how easy Zoom was to use. Brandie made it feel like we were really in class!

Pre Natal One Day – with Brandie Lekovic

The OCEA pre-natal classes are extremely valuable for first-time expecting parents. The information is shared in a very open, practical and fact-based manner without any judgement attached. It's easy to get overwhelmed by all the advice and research that is out there, but the OCEA classes really manage to distill this information and present it in a clear and structured way. The instructors are very experienced and knowledgeable and are great inter-personally. We were particularly impressed by how they handled giving online classes during the pandemic. They also provide a lot of Ottawa-specific information on the amazing resources that are available here. This was particularly useful to us as newcomers. We have many friends who have given birth in other countries, and when telling them about our experience with OCEA they have all said that nothing like this was available to them and it would have been so useful. Overall, we would highly recommend taking these classes.

Pre Natal – with Julia Wykes

I found this pre-natal class a perfect choice for us as a couple because of the one-day condensed format and the energetic and fantastic instructor Tabitha! I would recommend this to anyone in Ottawa who is looking for a credible prenatal class that gives an overall approach to what to expect in labour, taking care of baby and taking care of yourself. Money very well spent!!

Pre Natal – with Tabitha Bernard

Erin is incredible! The classes flew by as she kept us all engaged and excited throughout each part and truly made things fun and less overwhelming. She is up to date on all guidelines and laws and quick to answer any questions that arise!

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

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

My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our experience with the Ottawa CEA's Pre Natal Course. The instructor was fabulous and covered a lot of vital information in just one weekend. We left the course feeling more confident and better informed about the experience ahead of us. It was a great opportunity to bond with my husband over the birth process and have our questions answered in a comfortable, warm and friendly environment. We highly recommend this course and are looking forward to taking the CEA's "Bringing Baby Home" course.

Pre Natal – with Lilly Bianchi

The virtual class provided by OCEA was very informative and a great way to prepare for labour as well as childbirth. Especially during a global pandemic/lockdown/stay-at-home order this was more than beneficial for mommy and daddy-to-be! We are extremely grateful for this opportunity and feel much more confident bringing our little bundle of joy into this world!

Pre Natal – with Julia Wykes

The CEA does an excellent job of providing an informative and cost effective class on child birth. My husband and I left feeling much more secure in our decisions about our labor and would recommend the class to anyone wanting to know more about the process, both physically and institutionally.

Pre Natal – with Lilly Bianchi

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

Amazing class! Very hands on and practical!

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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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

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