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:

Given the continued need to physically distance, the size of our room rentals and the evolving state of our global pandemic, OCEA will continue to offer all classes online throughout 2022.
We dearly want to support the health of expectant families.

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

Erin was really good! We were both impressed by how easy she made it look even through these challenging times! Made us feel comfortable to ask anything.

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

This course exceeded my expectations. Even done through Zoom it was a very informative and welcoming environment. I feel much more prepared having taken this course. I highly recommend it.

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

Highly recommend taking this course. There is so much information available out there, but to have it consolidated into a series of classes led by a fantastic educator made us feel confident in moving towards our next phase of life with our newborn. Erin is endlessly knowledgeable and patient, she is well-versed with all the most up to date research and health guidelines, and her familiarity of local resources is amazing. There is so much to learn, but this class made it feel manageable.

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

The Bringing baby home class is an excellent course that equips you with the knowledge and resources to feel more confident going into new parenting. Highly recommend taking the course in your 2nd to 3rd trimester!

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

Julia was funny, witty and had good energy throughout the class. She delivered the ingormation calmly and simply. We absolutely adored her as our educator!

Pre Natal – with Julia Wykes

Brandie was wonderful! She’s extremely knowledgeable, explains things really well and so kind!

Pre Natal – with Brandie Lekovic

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

Pre Natal – with Julia Wykes

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

I was looking to be informed about what to expect during labour and birth and this course did not disappoint! My husband and I feel informed, equipped, and more ready to prepare for the big day to come.

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 & Toddler 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

CPR classes are Level C certification level. This life skills class is excellent for family and friends who are interested in learning all aspects of infant, child and adult CPR. Class training is approximately 2 1/2 hours and ... CPR Schedule

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OCEA workshops

Join OCEA for workshops on practical topics that include Building a Communication Toolkit, Creating a Family Social Media Strategy and more! Each participant will leave the workshop with a practical checklist of tools that will help their family achieve their workshop goals. Full list of our specialty workshops

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

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NICU Doula

Pregnancy and birth are almost always joyous times. However, sometimes we get news we might not have prepared for that changes our expectations and plans, and we find ourselves preparing for the arrival of our newborn in a different way than we planned. ... NICU Doula

OCEA Social