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:

Bringing Baby Home was a really thorough and educational experience. It managed to alleviate our first parent jitters and made us feel a bit more secure that we knew what we were doing. It also offered us a lifeline to ask questions after the course was finished which has helped a lot.

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

As a mom-to-be with zero experience caring for babies, this class was so reassuring. I learned a ton and feel much more confident about bringing our baby home.

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

She did a great job in making us feel comfortable to ask questions.

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

Lilly is an amazing educator! I was so anxious before taking this course but looked forward to each class as I learned so much and it answered questions I didn't even know I had. Lilly is so knowledgeable and kind and unbiased and has a nice sense of humour too! It was a pleasure to learn from her each week. Thanks Lilly!

Pre Natal – with Lilly Bianchi

Brandie was a wonderful instructor. She was organized and personable. The content was fresh and relevant. It exceeded our expectations!

Bringing Baby Home – with Brandie Lekovic

Erin was amazing and I would highly recommend her class. We found it incredibly valuable and she was just so lovely!

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

Michelle was amazing! It would have been nicer if the class was in-person and we could practice more positions, but I really enjoyed the class and learned a lot. Thank you so much!

Pre Natal – with Michelle Morra

"The Bringing Baby Home class was great and answered a lot of our questions about what to buy and what we could live without. We feel more confident in our decision-making abilities in choosing baby gear and really appreciated the hands-on experiences like diapering, swaddling, and trying out different baby carriers. We have already recommended it to friends and co-workers!"

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

This course is extremely useful in helping you navigate the plethora of advice that will inadvertently be thrown your way when you are a new parent. The instructor walks you through myths and realities, essentials and non-essentials, patiently stopping to answer all of your questions along the way. The baby safety and CPR portion was great in helping me feel more prepared to have a little new life to be responsible for! Partners are also very much included in all activities and I really appreciated this - as mom to be won't be raising the child alone :)

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

Really enjoyed this class. So informative! I would definitely recommend it to friends who are about to become new parents. Erin was an excellent instructor and did a great job presenting the information. Particularly amazing how quickly this class was adapted from in-class to online and how thorough and easy to follow it was. Our confidence as soon-to-be new parents has increased exponentially since taking this class. Thank you!

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

I’ve taken two courses with OCEA, and both were chock-full of useful and practical information and tips. I like that the instructors were careful about discussing the evidence for various claims, and were very engaging and responsive to questions.

Pre Natal – with Misty Pratt

Great class, I signed up mostly for my husband to get him ready, I was so nervous that he would not know what to do but now I feel more confident. We are a first time parents.

Pre Natal – with Julia Wykes

Phenomenal workshop with an equally phenomenal facilitator. Erin was so knowledgeable on ALL topics relating to this course, it was a breath of fresh air to know that we could ask any question and she would reply with personal, professional experiences, or both. My husband and I learned so much in this course, as a couple we feel more confident in preparing for our first baby, and now are aware of many additional resources that are available to us. Amazing experience!

Bringing Baby Home – with Erin Shaheen

I was worried that due to the fact that information is so easily accessible online these days that this course would be a waste of time and money but I am extremely happy that we did it. The information we received was so clear and unbiased that we feel much more comfortable and well informed for whatever our birth may bring. Our educator was so knowledgeable and approachable, and really made us feel much more confident about the whole process. No regrets.

Prenatal Classes for Midwifery Clients – with Brandie Lekovic

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

If you have any fears or concerns about labour or the initial time after birth this course if for you! The instructors offer a non-judgmental and safe environment where students learn how to cope with all aspects of the process, including current COVID-19 issues.

Pre Natal – with Lilly Bianchi

Julia is an excellent educator. Doing online classes on this topic must be challenging but we found it to be a very engaging, interesting and practical class. Julia's experience and vast knowledge is very clear. We really enjoyed Julia's personality and sense of humour which made the class fun to attend. She is also very good at providing a lot of information in a clear and structured manner and at ensuring that the key points are highlighted and memorable.

Pre Natal – with Julia Wykes

We felt a lot better after attending this particular prenatal course. It was well worth the time and money as first time, soon-to-be parents. We had tried other prenatal courses and left feeling scared and non-confident.

Pre Natal – with Lilly Bianchi

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

We thought Lilly was wonderful!! She kept the course engaging and shared a lot of useful information. She was also funny!! We would highly recommend her course to friends.

Pre Natal – with Lilly Bianchi

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

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