Classes taken during pregnancy are referred to as prenatal or childbirth education classes.

Prenatal classes are not free in Ontario, some private insurance companies will reimburse you for the costs.

Taking a prenatal class can help you be informed of the process of birth and the options available to you during pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period.

Prenatal classes can be taken at any time, most people prefer to take them at the beginning of the third trimester. You want the information to still be fresh in your mind, and you also want to be comfortable sitting in class all day!

Doulas fees range from one business to the next, based on experience and services offered. In Ottawa you should expect to pay between $1200 and $1600 for a birth Doula’s most basic package.

Doulas are not covered by OHIP. However, some private insurance companies will reimburse your costs.

Your birth location options depending on your care provider.

With an OB-GYN or family doctor, your birth location is the hospital at which your provider has privileges. In Ottawa, the hospitals include the Ottawa Hospital, Civic or General Campuses, Montfort Hospital, and the Queensway Carleton Hospital.

If you are under the care of a Midwife, you have the option of a home birth, the hospital at which they have privileges, and with some Midwives, you also have the option of the Ottawa Birth and Wellness Centre.

In Ottawa, there is no cost to give birth, your hospital stay, and birth are covered by OHIP.

There are some things that are not covered by OHIP that you will want to take into consideration.

- Parking fees (approximately $13/day)

- Upgrading to a private or semi-private room

- Food for your support person

It is recommended that you see your health provider as soon as you find out you are pregnant to ensure you are in good health. If you are interested in being followed by a Midwife, you should register right away, otherwise talk to your primary care provider for a referral.

Prenatal classes will help you feel prepared for your birth by teaching you about the stages of labour, your choices at each stage, and comfort measures to help you manage the pain.

Newborn care classes and infant feeding classes are helpful in preparing you for life after the birth of your child. These classes cover hunger cues and basic infant care.

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Absolutely! We encourage one support person to attend our classes with the birthing person. This does not need to be the father of the child, a friend, a parent or family member, or whoever will be by your side during childbirth is welcome.

In our prenatal classes, we cover:

- End of pregnancy

- Signs of labour

- Progress of labour

- When to go to the hospital

- Pain management options during labour

- Unmedicated comfort measures

- After-birth procedures

- Immediate postpartum care

A postpartum Doula is a non-medical support person that helps you adjust to life with a new baby.

Most of the work that a postpartum Doula does is in the first 3 - 4 months after birth. We can work with families longer, on an as-needed basis.

You can expect your postpartum Doula to be a calming and reassuring presence in your home. Your Doula offers hands-on support, helping you through the adjustment of life with a new baby.

When a postpartum Doula is working overnight with a family, your Doula may sleep when the baby sleeps.

We believe that postpartum Doulas are worth the investment. Their experience and skills can help set you up for success.

Postpartum Doulas answer questions, help with infant care and support you during your postpartum period. At times they will help with household tasks for the baby such as their laundry or washing bottles or pump equipment. We often hear from clients that having a highly skilled postpartum Doula for the first few weeks after their birth helped increase their confidence, allowed them to have time to focus on their recovery and provided them with the tools and information they needed to create routines that work for their family and situation.

Postpartum Doulas charge between $30 - $40 / hour during the day and $35 - $50 / hour overnight.